Running (or even walking) on a treadmill presents the body with the stress of a weight-bearing exercise, which can lead to hip pain in a variety of ways, according to Hinge Health, a virtual physical therapy practice. It’s possible to alleviate many injuries and the pain that follows with rest, ice, and over-the-counter pain relievers. Injuries or orthopedic conditions that are more serious may also require physical therapy, injectable treatments, or in some cases, surgery.
Treadmill-Related Hip Injuries
Hip injuries that can be directly caused by working out on a treadmill include muscle overuse injuries and tendinitis, as these can be caused by movement, according to Harvard Health Publishing. Muscle strains are another possible cause of post-workout hip pain, according to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. Conditions that treadmill use can exacerbate include bursitis, arthritis, and even flare-ups of pain related to previously unknown bone abnormalities (hip impingement syndrome, also called femoroacetabular impingement, or FAI), according to Hinge Health.
Hip Tendinitis
Overuse of your tendons is the usual reason behind flare-ups of hip tendinitis — often of the iliopsoas, or inner hip tendons, according to Disc Sports & Spine Center, a medical practice in Southern California. As the strongest of all the hip flexors, the iliopsoas is vital to movements like running, walking, and standing, according to Physiopedia. Excessive use of this tendon is easily applicable to anyone who uses a treadmill. Research has shown that age can be a factor if you have hip tendinitis as well, because tendon elasticity decreases in people as they age.
Symptoms of hip tendinitis include pain in the hip or groin that gets worse with movement (especially high-impact activities). The hip may become swollen, tender, and stiff, with a reduced range of motion. Some people also feel feverish warmth in the affected hip area; this is an indication of inflammation. Pain may occur while at rest or during sleep in chronic or severe cases. Talk to your doctor or physical therapist if you’re experiencing symptoms.
Increasing time spent resting is crucial, and switching to low-impact activities like swimming can help recovery. Cold and heat therapies, plus non-steroidal anti-inflammatory (NSAID) medications such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) and naproxen (Aleve) can also help. Physical therapy exercises can be instrumental in preventing reinjury. If conservative treatments like these don’t help, your doctor may try corticosteroid injections to relieve the inflammation. Treatments like platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections or shock wave therapy are also an option, and in rare cases, surgery. Mild cases of tendinitis can improve within weeks via rest and physical therapy, along with cold, heat, and NSAIDs. Moderate to severe cases can take months.
Bursitis of the Hip Joint
Bursae are small, jelly-like sacs that act as powerful cushions between the soft tissues — the muscles, tendons, ligaments — and bone to reduce friction, according to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. When these sacs become inflamed due to repetitive stress such as running, pain occurs. The greater trochanter — the bony end of the hip — is often the site of bursitis inflammation. The iliopsoas bursa can also become inflamed; this pain is typically felt in the groin area. Bursitis initially produces sharp pain in the affected area; later, this pain can spread and develop into a general achiness.
If you suspect bursitis, speak to your doctor or physical therapist. As with other overuse injuries, changing up your workouts to only engage in exercise that doesn’t exacerbate the injury is important. NSAIDs can also help, and you may temporarily need an assistive device, such as a cane or crutches. Physical therapy exercises can help increase strength and flexibility and help you avoid reinjury, too. Corticosteroid injections are also used in cases that don’t respond to more conservative treatment. Surgery to remove the bursa is rare.
Hip Labral Tears
Runners are at increased risk of hip labral tears, according to Physiopedia. Often tricky to diagnose, a hip labral tear involves the ring of cartilage called the labrum, which covers the hip-joint socket, according to Mass General Brigham hospital in Boston. Responsible for keeping the ball in place at the top of the femur, the labrum also acts to stabilize the hips. Repetitive activity such as treadmill use can result in a degenerative tear of the labrum. In addition, labral tears are often seen alongside arthritis. People with labral tears are often misdiagnosed with other conditions due to symptoms that overlap with other conditions — it can take an average of about two years to get proper treatment.
Symptoms of this condition include groin pain, a clicking sensation in the hip joint, instability or stiffness, and a lack of full hip mobility. If you suspect a tear, contact your doctor. As with other overuse injuries, treatment might begin with activity restriction or changes, NSAIDs, physical therapy, or corticosteroid injections, depending on the severity. Surgery may also be an option if conservative treatment isn’t effective.
