HIP BURSITIS-  In the hip, there is a small sack of fluid, called a bursa, that is located between a bone and a muscle or tendon.  The purpose of the bursa is to prevent friction between the bone and muscle/tendon.  The bursa in the hip is typically injured by a direct impact or through overuse/repetitive friction.  

SYMPTOMS- Pain in the hip which gets worse with activities that involve repetitive motion such as soccer, running or basketball.  

IT BAND SYNDROME-  IT band syndrome can be a frustrating injury for you as an athlete, especially when you are training for an event or find running (or the sport that you enjoy) to be your “stress release.” With IT band syndrome, pain is often described as being on the outside of the knee and the pain can increase to the point that you are no longer able to run/jump/play.

 The IT Band begins in the hip as the tensor fascia latae muscle and attaches to three different muscles: the gluteus medius, gluteus minimus, and vastus lateralis. As the muscle progresses down the thigh, it becomes a fibrous band of tissue. This band then crosses the knee joint and inserts (ends) along the outside portion of the knee cap (patella) and into the shin bone (or tibia) on a bump called Gerdy’s Tubercle. The key function of the IT Band is to assist the hip muscles in outward movement of the thigh and to stabilize the outside of the knee. The IT Band is itself not an extremely strong structure and if the muscles surrounding it have any weakness, it can lead to injury and IT band syndrome. Runners are notoriously weak in their hip and core muscles, especially if they do not do strength training or participate in sports that require side-to-side movement; thus they are very prone to this syndrome.

SYMPTOMS-

• Pain on the outside of the knee.

• Swelling at the site of the injury.

• Pain most severe with the strike of the heel when walking or running.  

• Pain radiating from the knee up to the hip.

• A popping/snapping sensation with a bent knee 

HIP FLEXOR SPRAIN/STRAIN-  There are a group of muscles in the front of the hip called the hip flexor.  These muscles allow bending at the hip and kicking.  A hip flexor sprain/strain can occur from either overuse of the muscle or an acute injury resulting in a partial or full tear.   

SYMPTOMS- At the time of the injury, patients feel a "pulling" and sharp pain in the front of the hip.  After injury, patients feel pain when they lift their knee to the chest or during any activities that involve running.  In an acute case, patient may have difficulty walking.    

SPORTS HERNIA-  A typical sports hernia occurs when the muscles and/or tendon that are located on the lower abdominal wall become weak.  

SYMPTOMS- Felt as a "aching pain" in the lower abdominal area.  Can also include pain the groin, and testicle for men.  

JOINT PAIN-  There are many causes for joint pain, including disease and injury.  Joint pain is described as a dull ache and is most common in the knees and hips.  When joint pain is localized to one area or joint, it is most likely the cause of a direct injury.  If multiple joints are aching, then it is thought to be the result of a disease or "systemic condition". 

Here are some of the more common causes of joint pain:

Rheumatoid arthritis
Approximately 1 in every 100 people experience this type of arthritis.  It is typically caused by the nervous system reacting to a non-existent stimulus.  In other words, the immune system attacks the joints in the body, even through there is not a threat present.  The most common areas affected are the joints in the fingers, wrists, hands, ankles and feet.  

Osteoarthritis
The most common form of arthritis, Osteoarthritis directly affects joint cartilage and bone surfaces.  When a joint is overused, such as a knee or hip, sometimes the join becomes worn.  Symptoms associated with Osteoarthritis include reduced movement in the joint, pain and stiffness.  

Gout
Gout is most common in the big toe.  It is a type of arthritis that is the result of uric acid build up within the body.  Uric acid is a waste product of the body breaking down food to create energy which comes from the kidneys.  Uric acid build ups can either be from a malfunction of the kidneys or over production of Uric Acid.   

PIRIFORMIS SYNDROME-  Piriformis syndrome is typically felt in the buttock, lower back and thigh.  It is caused when the piriformis muscle becomes tight and irritates the sciatic nerve.  Piriformis syndrome is typically caused by poor biomechanics when running/walking, or from doing activities on uneven ground and/or hard surfaces.  It can also be from increasing exercise intensity too quickly.  

SYMPTOMS- Usually felt as pain and a deep ache in the buttock, hip and/or lower back.  Patients will often also feel stiffness and weakness.