A hip pointer is a common injury in contact sports and can also occur from falls. Rest and ice packs are usually enough for recovery, but severe or persistent pain should be evaluated by a doctor. Athletes and older people are at higher risk. Treatment includes rest, ice, and medication, and severe cases may require physical therapy.
A hip pointer is an injury to the bony edge of the hip joint, called the iliac crest. Pointers are very common in contact sports like soccer, but the injury can also occur from a bad fall. Following an injury, the hip usually becomes sore, tender, and swollen. About two weeks of rest and the use of ice packs is usually enough to recover from a hip pointer, but pain that is severe or persists for more than a few weeks should be evaluated by a doctor. Surgery is rarely needed, but a person may need to take prescription medications and engage in physical therapy to make a full recovery.
The iliac crest is made up of strong bone tissue, but it is not well protected by muscle or fat. A fall or direct blow to the side of the hip can easily cause a bone bruise. Most injuries cause immediate pain and redness, and swelling usually occurs within about an hour. Severe pointers of the hip can significantly impair range of motion on the affected side and activities such as jumping, running and bending become very painful. Over the course of several days, the swelling gradually decreases and a purplish-yellow skin bruise emerges.
Athletes who play contact sports are at a higher risk of suffering from hip pointers, especially if they are not wearing the proper protective gear and padding. Playing a non-contact sport where falls are common, such as skiing and skateboarding, can also lead to a hip pointer. Additionally, older people with osteoporosis and limited mobility are at a higher risk of suffering from hip spikes and fractures from falls.
Most hip injuries can be treated successfully at home by avoiding physical activity and icing the joint. Doctors usually recommend that people stand as much as possible and apply an ice pack every few hours for the first couple of days. Over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medications can help relieve severe pain and swelling, too. A pointer hip usually becomes less tender after a few days, and most people are able to gradually return to normal activity levels within two to three weeks.
A person suffering from a debilitating hip injury should be taken to the emergency room to be checked for fractures and nerve damage. A severe hip pointer that compresses blood vessels can cut off blood supply to the hip joint, possibly causing extensive tissue death. After thoroughly examining a patient, a doctor usually prescribes pain medication and schedules physical therapy sessions to help rebuild flexibility and strength over several months.
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