Pain or Limitation of Hip Movements

CLINICAL DIAGNOSTIC MANUAL

Pain or limitation of hip movements are common symptoms that can affect individuals of all ages.

These symptoms can arise from a variety of conditions that affect the bony, joint, tendon, and muscular structures of the hip.

A detailed evaluation of symptoms, along with diagnostic tests, is essential to identify the underlying cause and provide appropriate treatment, thereby improving the patient’s quality of life.

Condition	Symptoms and Clinical Signs	Suspected Diagnosis	Confirmed Diagnosis
Osteoarthritis	Chronic hip pain, stiffness, reduced range of motion, crepitus.	History of chronic pain and stiffness, especially in older individuals.	X-rays showing joint space narrowing and osteophytes.
Coxa Vara	Hip pain, limping, limited movement, leg shortening.	History of progressive pain and limping, clinical signs of deformity.	X-rays showing abnormal angle between femoral neck and femoral shaft.
Transient Synovitis	Acute hip pain, limping, limited movement, mild fever in some cases.	History of acute pain and limping in children.	Clinical evaluation, ultrasound showing joint effusion.
Soft Tissue Injury	Localised pain, swelling, bruising, limited movement depending on the severity of the injury.	History of trauma or overexertion.	Ultrasound or MRI to assess tendons, ligaments, and muscles.
Fracture	Acute pain, inability to bear weight, visible deformity, swelling.	History of trauma, severe pain, and inability to move the hip.	X-ray showing fracture.
Perthes Disease	Hip and knee pain, limping, limited movement.	History of pain and limping in children, progressive symptoms.	X-rays showing avascular necrosis of the femoral head.
Slipped Capital Femoral Epiphysis	Hip, knee, or thigh pain, limping, limited movement.	History of pain and limping in adolescents.	X-rays showing slippage of the femoral epiphysis.
Tuberculous Arthritis	Chronic pain, swelling, fever, weight loss.	History of chronic and systemic symptoms, history of tuberculosis.	Synovial fluid culture, joint biopsy, imaging showing joint destruction.
Developmental Dysplasia of the Hip	Hip pain, instability, limping, limited movement.	History of hip instability and pain, especially in children.	X-rays showing dysplasia and subluxation or dislocation of the hip.
Hip Prosthesis Problems	Hip pain, instability, limited movement, signs of infection in cases of infected prosthesis.	History of hip replacement surgery, symptoms of instability or progressive pain.	X-rays showing loosening or malposition of the prosthesis, imaging studies and synovial fluid analysis in cases of infection.