Hip Pain and Conditions in Durban

Comprehensive hip care, from diagnosis to replacement, in Durban.

Cartilage in the joint wears down over the years, and pain builds with activity and eases with rest, at least early on, before becoming more constant as the condition progresses. This is the most common reason people come in about their hip past middle age, though it can also follow an old injury or a hip condition from childhood. Stiffness in the groin, difficulty putting on shoes, and a limp after walking are common signs. Physiotherapy, weight management and activity changes are usually the first steps, before surgery is ever considered. When arthritis is advanced and significantly limiting daily life, a hip replacement is a well-established, highly successful procedure, and Dr Ryan will explain exactly what it involves before you decide.

Extra bone on the ball or socket of the hip causes friction with certain movements, particularly deep bending or twisting, and it shows up more in younger, active patients than classic arthritis does. It often presents as groin pain during or after sport, sometimes with a catching or pinching sensation, and it's often picked up during an assessment for unrelated hip or groin pain in younger athletes rather than being the first suspicion. Left unaddressed over years, it can contribute to earlier cartilage wear. Physiotherapy focused on movement patterns and activity modification is the usual starting point. When symptoms persist despite this, keyhole surgery to reshape the bone and address any cartilage damage can relieve the friction.

A fluid-filled cushion on the outer hip, the bursa, gets inflamed, and it's a common, usually non-surgical cause of pain when you lie on that side, climb stairs, or stand up after sitting for a while. It's more common in women and tends to develop gradually rather than from a single injury, though a fall or bump can trigger it too. Rest, activity changes and sometimes a cortisone injection usually settle it without surgery, along with physiotherapy to address any underlying hip or lower back mechanics contributing to the irritation. Most people improve within a few weeks to months with this approach, and surgery is very rarely needed for this condition.

The ring of cartilage lining the hip socket, the labrum, tears, sometimes from a single twisting injury, sometimes gradually from years of impingement or repetitive hip movement in sport. It can cause a catching, clicking or locking sensation deep in the joint, along with pain in the groin that's worse with certain movements or after activity. Physiotherapy is often tried first, focusing on strengthening the muscles around the hip to reduce strain on the joint. Surgery is considered only if symptoms persist despite this, and keyhole techniques can often trim or repair the torn cartilage and address any underlying bony impingement causing it, particularly in younger, active patients wanting to return to sport.

Common after a fall, particularly in older adults with weaker bone from osteoporosis, and this is usually an emergency-room presentation, not something to wait out at home, since a fractured hip needs prompt surgical treatment in almost all cases. Sudden groin or hip pain after a fall, an inability to bear weight, or a leg that looks shortened or rotated are all signs needing urgent assessment. Dr Ryan works closely with the hospital's emergency team to plan the right procedure without delay, since faster surgery generally means a better recovery and fewer complications in older patients. Recovery involves a structured rehabilitation programme, often starting with physiotherapy the day after surgery.