Hip Pointer refers to an injury to the iliac crest of the hip joint. The iliac crest is the outer ridge that curves along the pelvic bone. It forms the crest of the ilium which is the largest of the three bones viz. ischium, pubis and ilium that fuse together to form the pelvis or the hip joint. The ilium protects the abdominal organs while the iliac crest lends support to the joint. Hip Pointer leads to damage of the blood capillaries within the iliac crest and most commonly occurs in people engaged in sports activities. The anterior or frontal part of the hip joint is most susceptible to such injuries as it has the least amount of fatty tissue coverage.
Causes
- Direct fall on the hip joint
- Sports injury
- Overuse of the hip joint
- Direct hit/blow
- Not using protective gear during sports
Symptoms
- Pain which exacerbates while walking, bending, coughing or laughing
- Pain generally occurs in the front part of the hip
- The injured part may feel tender when touched
- Limited range of motion
- Visible bruising in severe cases
- Swelling
- Muscle spasms may occur
- Weakness in legs and hip
Diagnosis
- Detailed evaluation of the time and mode of injury
- The orthopedic doctor may check for apparent symptoms and check for additional damage to the abdominal organs if any
- Analysis of the patient’s gait
- Check for sensory reactions
- Palpation
- The doctor may assess the range of motion
- X-ray imaging or MRI scans may be required to rule out a fracture
Treatment
- Prescription of pain killers and anti-inflammatory drugs to combat pain Use of crutches to avoid weight bearing
- Application of ice packs at regular intervals to reduce swelling
- Keeping the injured leg elevated while resting
- Compression using bandages or straps for the hip joint
- Once the pain subsides, specific exercises may be recommended to improve joint motion
- In case of hematoma, the fluids may need to be drained out
- Injecting corticosteroids may help in case of severe pain
- Surgical intervention may be required if there is an avulsion fracture or damage to internal organs
The surgeons at OrthoTexas provide effective treatment for Hip Pointer and other orthopedic conditions.