Common Causes of Hip Paint

The most common cause of chronic hip pain and disability is arthritis. Osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, and traumatic arthritis are the most common forms of this disease.

Osteoarthritis usually occurs after age 50 and often in an individual with a family history of arthritis.  It may be caused by subtle irregularities in how the hip developed.  In this form of the disease, the articular cartilage cushioning the bones of the hip wears away.  The bones then rub against each other, causing hip pain and stiffness.

Rheumatoid Arthritis is an autoimmune disease in which the synovial membrane becomes inflamed, produces too much synovial fluid, and damages the articular cartilage, leading to pain and stiffness.

Traumatic Arthritis can follow a serious hip injury or fracture.  A hip fracture can cause a condition known as avascular necrosis.  The articular cartilage becomes damaged and, over time, causes hip pain and stiffness.  Avascular necrosis (also known as osteonecrosis) can also occur in the absence of trauma, most often associated with alcohol use or another medical problem requiring high doses of corticosteroids (prednisone).