Differential Diagnosis for Hip Pain
- Single most likely diagnosis
- Osteoarthritis: This is the most common cause of hip pain in adults, especially in those over 50 years old. It is characterized by wear and tear of the joint cartilage, leading to pain, stiffness, and limited mobility.
- Other Likely diagnoses
- Trochanteric bursitis: Inflammation of the bursa over the trochanter, often caused by repetitive friction or direct trauma, leading to pain and tenderness on the outer aspect of the hip.
- Hip fractures: Common in the elderly, especially those with osteoporosis, hip fractures can cause severe hip pain, especially after a fall.
- Piriformis syndrome: Compression of the sciatic nerve by the piriformis muscle, leading to pain, numbness, and tingling in the hip and leg.
- Labral tears: Tears in the cartilage surrounding the hip socket, often caused by trauma, overuse, or degenerative changes, leading to hip pain and limited mobility.
- Do Not Miss (ddxs that may not be likely, but would be deadly if missed.)
- Septic arthritis: A bacterial infection of the joint, which can lead to severe pain, swelling, and destruction of the joint if left untreated.
- Avascular necrosis: Death of bone tissue due to lack of blood supply, often caused by trauma, steroids, or excessive alcohol consumption, leading to hip pain and collapse of the bone.
- Osteomyelitis: A bone infection, which can cause severe hip pain, fever, and swelling, and can lead to serious complications if left untreated.
- Rare diagnoses
- Synovial chondromatosis: A rare condition characterized by the growth of cartilage in the joint, leading to hip pain, swelling, and limited mobility.
- Pigmented villonodular synovitis: A rare condition characterized by the growth of tumor-like tissue in the joint, leading to hip pain, swelling, and limited mobility.
- Hip tumors: Primary or metastatic tumors in the hip, which can cause hip pain, swelling, and limited mobility, and can be life-threatening if left untreated.