Taking Care of Your Hip

Compared to such complex areas of the body as the back and the knee, the hip region is a model of straightforward sturdiness. It takes great force to seriously damage a healthy hip, and the large, strong muscles of the thighs and buttocks (which help support and move the hips and knees) are usually able to withstand more than their share of abuse. Sports-related injuries and problems do occur, however, particularly in women runners, and there are problems specific to young men and pregnant women. Elderly people are subject to the most serious problems: life-threatening hip fractures that often are due to osteoporosis, the disease that causes brittle bones.