Evaluation and management of hip pain: an algorithmic approach

Journal of Family Practice, August, 2003 by Katherine Margo, Jonathan Drezner, Daphne Motzkin

Runners report an average yearly hip or pelvic injury rate of 2% to 11%. (2) In the third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES III), 14.3% of patients aged 60 years and older reported significant hip pain on most days over the previous 6 weeks. (3) Older women were more likely to report hip pain than older men. NHANES III also reported that 18.4% of those who had not participated in leisure time physical activity during the previous month reported severe hip pain as opposed to 12.6% of those who did engage in physical activity.

In younger patients, sports injuries about the hip and pelvis are most common in ballet dancers, soccer players, and runners (incidence of 44%, 13%, and 11% respectively). (4)

* Medial groin pain is often included in the discussion of hip pain, but this topic is beyond the scope of this review.

Katherine Margo, MD, Jonathan Drezner, MD, and Daphne Motzkin, MD Department of Family Practice and Community Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia

Corresponding author: Katherine Margo, MD, Department of Family Practice and Community Medicine, 2 Gates/ 3400 Spruce St, Philadelphia, PA 19104. E-mail: margok@uphs.upenn.edu.