Coxalgia (), also known as coxodynia (, ), is defined as

pain Pain is a distressing feeling often caused by intense or damaging stimuli. The International Association for the Study of Pain defines pain as "an unpleasant sensory and emotional experience associated with, or resembling that associated with, ...

in the

hip In vertebrate anatomy, hip (or "coxa"Latin ''coxa'' was used by Celsus in the sense "hip", but by Pliny the Elder in the sense "hip bone" (Diab, p 77) in medical terminology) refers to either an anatomical region or a joint. The hip region is ...

or disease-related pain of the hip. Coxalgia refers to general sensation of pain in the hip area, including the muscles surrounding the hip – sartorius,

tensor fasciae latae The tensor fasciae latae (or tensor fasciæ latæ or, formerly, tensor vaginae femoris) is a muscle of the thigh. Together with the gluteus maximus, it acts on the iliotibial band and is continuous with the iliotibial tract, which attaches to the ...

, ilio-tibial banding and the sensation of the tissue surrounding bones. Coxalgia will have an underlying cause- in adults this is most commonly

osteoarthritis Osteoarthritis (OA) is a type of degenerative joint disease that results from breakdown of joint cartilage and underlying bone which affects 1 in 7 adults in the United States. It is believed to be the fourth leading cause of disability in the w ...

, degeneration of hip joints or

bursitis Bursitis is the inflammation of one or more bursae (fluid filled sacs) of synovial fluid in the body. They are lined with a synovial membrane that secretes a lubricating synovial fluid. There are more than 150 bursae in the human body. The bursa ...

(inflammation of the bursae-fluid sacs) of the joints. Coxalgia may precede diagnosis or identification of other diseases by some considerable time as indicated for monitoring and review. Coxalgia is a symptom of underlying hip joint pathology and must be examined and referred as the symptoms of pain and reduced mobility will increase and worsen, leading to chronic pain states. Coxalgia may be due to trauma,

dysplasia Dysplasia is any of various types of abnormal growth or development of cells (microscopic scale) or organs (macroscopic scale), and the abnormal histology or anatomical structure(s) resulting from such growth. Dysplasias on a mainly microscopic ...

and abnormal growth, degeneration, osteo-deficiencies of

B12 Vitamin B12, also known as cobalamin, is a water-soluble vitamin involved in metabolism. It is one of eight B vitamins. It is required by animals, which use it as a cofactor in DNA synthesis, in both fatty acid and amino acid metabolism. It ...

folate Folate, also known as vitamin B9 and folacin, is one of the B vitamins. Manufactured folic acid, which is converted into folate by the body, is used as a dietary supplement and in food fortification as it is more stable during processing and ...

or metastasising cancer. Pain management should include robust use of pharmacological and non-pharmacological interventions. __TOC__

Diagnosis

Coxalgia may be identified by a physician through a hip joint exam, by observing antalgic gait and stance, reduced mobility and reduced tone, power and co-ordination through the normal expected range of hip joint motion.

Treatment

Coxalgia may be treated in the short-term by over-the-counter pain relief such as paracetamol, aspirin or ibuprofen. Further pain management must be sought in co-ordination with a GP or healthcare specialist. Diagnostic tools such as ultrasound, CT imaging and MRI to identify the extent of the underlying disease at which point referral to specialist general practitioner or orthopaedic surgeon should follow. Complementary adjunct therapies such as physiotherapy, TENS trans-cutaneous electro-neuro- stimulation and bio-mechanical therapies may be useful in managing the reduced mobility and alleviating the pain. Various aids are available for minimising the angles and strains of the hip joint and enabling peri-operative recovery. These include, modified toilet seats, cushions for optimum 'sitting angle' and aids for reaching and manoeuvring through the symptoms without causing harm.

References

{{Reflist Joint disorders