A hip pointer is defined as bruising on the hips bones or muscles and other soft tissues in the hip.
The injury is generally brought about by a direct strike on the hip. It is likely to occur often in contact sports such as football in which a player drives a helmet into the hip region.
What are the indications?
The usual indications of a hip pointer include:
- Difficulty walking
- Hip pain and tenderness
- Soft bump over the site of injury
The achiness or discomfort caused by hip pointer typically settles in a few weeks with self-care measures.
Management of hip pointer
The achiness or discomfort caused by hip pointer typically settles in a few weeks with self-care measures. The doctor usually suggests stretching and appropriate exercises to promote healing.
In some cases, the doctor might provide the individual with a shot of steroid medication.
Some of the self-care measures include:
- Application of ice on the site that is covered with a cloth or towel every 3-4 hours at 20-minute sessions
- Provide an anti-inflammatory medication as instructed by the doctor.
- It is recommended to place padding over the site of injury to prevent it from being reinjured again.
Always bear in mind that a hip pointer could not be prevented. Nevertheless, for those who are playing contact sports, use the proper protecting padding over the site to prevent injury.