Pain Above Right Hip Causes And Symptoms
Abdominal pain and hip pain are common problems and in many instances it is transient and not serious. However, it can be quite distressing especially when it occurs in areas that we associated with vital organs or where serious conditions can arise. The area above the right hip is one such area as pain here often makes us think of appendicitis. If left unattended the appendix can burst with serious and even life-threatening complications. However, pain in this region is not only due to appendicitis. There are many organs that lie above the right hip and a range of conditions can be responsible for the pain.
Organs Located Above The Right Hip
The hip is the joint where the acetabulum of the pelvic bone and the head of the femur meet. Most people refer to the pelvic bones as the hip, and more specifically the uppermost portion of it which is known as the ilium. The part that is easily felt is the iliac crest. When people refer to the area above the hip, they are usually talking about the area above the iliac crest. This correlates with the upper part of the right lower quadrant (RLQ).
The organs in the right lower quadrant include the:
- Cecum of the large intestine
- Vermiform appendix
- Ascending colon
- Right ureter
- Right ovary and fallopian tube in females
Although some of these structures may be slightly below the iliac crest and still be within the right lower quadrant, it can cause cause pain higher than where it is actually located. Therefore pain above the right hip should be considered under right lower abdominal pain and right flank pain.
Causes of Pain Above The Right Hip
There are a number of different causes of pain above the right hip. The problem may be with the gastrointestinal tract, urinary tract or female reproductive system. The character and severity of pain can vary depending on the site that is located and the underlying disease that causes it. Age may also play a role in that some conditions are more likely to occur in children while other conditions are common causes of pain above the right hip in adults and the elderly.
The conditions listed below are not the only possible causes of pain. It is among the more common causes but a proper diagnosis should be made by a medical professional.
Abdominal Wall Problems
The abdominal wall is made up of skin, fat, muscles, fascia and peritoneum. Injury to the abdominal wall, muscle strain, hernia and irritation or infection of the peritoneum (peritonitis) are some of the abdominal wall causes of pain above the right hip.
The symptoms for these conditions can vary but severe abdominal tenderness is present with the pain. Abdominal wall problems are relatively common although most people tend to first think about the inner organs being the source of the pain. Also refer to abdominal muscle pain.
Appendicitis
Appendicitis is a condition where the vermiform appendix becomes inflamed. The vermiform appendix is a small tube-like pouch that protrudes from the cecum of the large intestine. It can become inflamed and infected with a risk of rupturing if not treated promptly. An appendix abscess can also form within it.
Symptoms
Apart from severe abdominal pain, there may also be:
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Loss of appetite
- Difficulty passing gas
- Constipation or diarrhea
- Rebound tenderness
- Abdominal swelling
Diverticulitis
Diverticulitis is a condition where pouches that form in the wall of the gut become inflamed. These bulging pouches (diverticula) more often tend to form in the large intestine. It can exist for years and decades without causing symptoms. However, when these pouches become inflamed or infected then the symptoms below may be seen.
Symptoms
- Fever
- Nausea and vomiting
- Changes in bowel habit – constipation or diarrhea
- Abdominal bloating
- Rectal bleeding (sometimes)
Gastroenteritis
Gastroenteritis is the inflammation of the stomach and intestines which is most commonly due to an infection or toxins produced by certain microorganisms. Viral gastroenteritis is one of the most common types and is generally referred to as the stomach flu.
Symptoms
- Intense nausea
- Vomiting (sometimes)
- Fever (if infectious)
- Profuse diarrhea
- Bloating
- Excessive gas
Perforated Ulcer
Peptic ulcers are found in the upper part of the gut, specifically in the stomach or first part of the small intestine (duodenum) and sometimes the esophagus. If these ulcers tear, the intestinal contents can leak into the abdominal cavity and cause peritonitis.
Symptoms
- Fever
- Fatigue
- Pain extending to the back
- Nausea and vomiting
- Difficulty breathing
- Abdominal distention
- Hiccups (sometimes)
Colon Cancer
Colorectal cancer is a malignant tumor or tumors in the colon. The growth can start in the colon (primary cancer) or spread to the colon from elsewhere in the body (secondary or metastatic cancer). It is among the top 10 most common cancers and can be quite aggressive.
Video
This video on pain above the hips was produced by the Health Hype team.
Intestinal Obstruction
Blockage of the bowels can occur for a number of reasons as discussed under small intestine obstruction and large intestine obstruction. The severity of symptoms depends on whether it is a complete or partial obstruction and whether the obstruction lies in the small or large intestine.
Symptoms
- Constipation (obstipation)
- Diarrhea (partial obstruction)
- Vomiting (small intestine blockage)
- Abdominal distention
- Bloated feeling
- Reduced flatulence
- Abnormal bowel sounds
Kidney Stones
A kidney stone is a hard mass that forms within the kidney as result of certain constituents of urine crystallizing. It is also known as a renal calculus. Most stones are passed out in the urine but it can sometimes become trapped within the kidney, ureter or bladder.
Symptoms
- Flank and back pain
- Urinary pain
- Discolored urine
- Nausea and possibly vomiting
- Frequent urination
UTI
A urinary tract infection (UTI) is common especially among females. It can involve any part of the urinary tract. Bacteria are the most common cause of UTIs. Most infections are ascending and often stop at the bladder but can spread upwards to the ureters and even the kidneys.
Symptoms
- Pain during urination
- Foul-smelling urine
- Frequent urination (small amounts)
- Persistent urge to urinate
- Cloudy urine
Other Symptoms of Pain Above Right Hip
Many people may not have symptoms for long periods of time. When the symptoms do arise, it includes:
- Fatigue
- Weight loss
- Change in bowel habits
- Rectal bleeding
- Feeling of bowel being incompletely emptied
References:
- Causes of right flank pain. Medscape
- Hip pain in adults. NHS.co.uk
Reviewed and updated on 10 August 2018.
