Hip pain at night can not only be very painful, but may actually be indicative of a more serious medical condition. One of the most common causes of hip pain at night is sciatica. While sciatica can be very painful, performing specific stretches may decrease the severity of the condition. Osteoporosis, or the loss of bone density, may also cause severe hip pain at night. Other common causes of hip pain at night include a dislocated hip and bursitis, both of which usually vary in intensity depending on the specific sleeping position. In some cases, these conditions can be treated medically or through surgery.
One of the most common causes of hip pain at night is associated with the development of sciatica. Sciatica is a condition caused by the inflammation of the sciatic nerve, which runs down the length of the leg. Typically, this condition results in severe hip pain at night, especially for those who sleep on their back. The best way to treat hip pain an night associated with sciatica is to perform a series of stretches and range-of-motion exercises designed to target the sciatic nerve. In addition, affected individuals are often encouraged to sleep on their stomach or side in order to prevent severe pain.
Osteoporosis is another common cause of hip pain at night. Osteoporosis is a condition that results in a loss of bone density over time, occurs primarily in women, and develops most commonly after menopause. Osteoporosis not only can cause hip pain during activity, but also at night. While osteoporosis typically cannot be treated, eating foods high in calcium and engaging in weight-bearing types of physical activity may aid in the prevention of the condition.
In some cases, a dislocation can be to blame for the development of hip pain at night. A dislocation of the hip is most commonly caused by a fall, and can cause serious hip pain at night. Typically, hip pain at night associated with a dislocation occurs primarily during sleep that occurs on the side. A person who has a dislocated hip will typically experience severe pain, and should seek medical assistance as soon as possible. Often, even once the hip dislocation has been treated, ongoing pain may occur.
Bursitis is another common cause of hip pain at night, and is defined as either the infection or inflammation of the bursae — small, fluid-filled sacs that provide cushion between bones, tendons, and muscles — of the hip. Bursistis pain at night may vary in intensity depending on the specific sleeping position. Typically, it can be successfully treated through certain types of surgery.
