A Scary New Hip Trend

Young guys are falling prey to hip pain. Don’t be one of them.

- Devon Schuyler

1 HOW YOUR HIPS GO HAYWIRE

Your thighbones attach to a socket in your pelvis. A cartilage coating allows for movement. Ligaments, tendons and muscles provide stability and motion. But things can go awry. Watch out for these problems

1/ MUSCLE STRAIN This happens when your muscle fibres stretch or rip, often during a sudden turn or jump – common movements in football or tennis. The typical remedy is rest and alternating ice and heat therapy to relieve the pain as it heals.

2/ TENDINOPATHY Muscle weakness or overuse can damage the tendons that link your glutes to your hip bones. You might feel sore when walking, climbing stairs or lying on the affected side. Train your hip abductor muscles.

3/ BURSITIS Bursae are like mini pillows that cushion your hips; the average hip has six of them. Bursitis occurs when these sacs become irritated. Your risk goes up if you run on hard surfaces, so go with a track or grass.

4/ TORN LABRUM The labrum is the gasket-like ring of cartilage that lines each hip joint. Squats and lunges, which require deep bending, can wear it down until it tears. This may require surgical repair. If these moves cause hip pain during your workout, avoid them.

5/ ARTHRITIS The cartilage in your joints can deteriorate over time from wear and tear, injuries, deformities and too much body weight. To stay active, try Nordic walking, that kooky style of striding with poles. It can help you strengthen arthritic hips without irritating them, Scandinavian research suggests.