A complex web of muscles and tendons run along the front and outside of your hip. Bursae, small-fluid-filled sacks, act as cushions to protect the structures from rubbing against each other.

When a bursa becomes inflamed you will experience symptoms of swelling, tenderness and pain in the hip area that may spread down to the knee. Bursitis has a number of causes: it is common amongst sports people who participate in a ‘repetitive action sport’ such as cycling, running and dancing. Hip bursitis can occur as a consequence of poor biomechanics in the hip area and inflammation can flare up following an acute injury or following hip surgery.

Stretches and exercises and bespoke orthotics (including specific ones for running) are very effective at aiding recovery from hip bursitis.

Your Iliotibial Band is a thick band of tissue running along the outside of your thigh. Powered by muscles in your hip region, it makes your quadriceps more efficient and stabilises the outside of your knee.

ITB Syndrome is very common amongst runners (also known as Runner’s Knee) due to the repetitive knee-bending action, which causes friction of the ITB on the femur. Cyclists and hikers are also affected. Iliotibial Band pain can also be caused by poor biomechanics such as the band being too tight or too wide; the poor timing of function between your shin bone and your hip; weak hip muscles; over-pronation and leg length discrepancy.

Typical symptoms of ITB include hip pain or tightness in the Iliotibial Band as it runs down the outside of your thigh, and knee pain. Stretches and Exercises and bespoke orthotics (including specific ones just for running) are very effective in bringing pain relief from ITB.

When the lower limbs are of uneven length, you have Lower Leg Discrepancy.

The causes of Leg Length Discrepancy include a congenital condition; one side of the body growing quicker than the other; a consequence of disease or tumor, or the result of a leg fracture. If, for example, somebody is involved in a car accident and suffers serious injuries to their legs, it is possible that the healing process will leave one leg shorter than the other. Functional leg length discrepancy occurs when the legs are equal, but the hip is higher on one side making the legs look uneven.

Leg length discrepancy affects your gait and your lower body biomechanics causing symptoms of knee, hip and back pain and postural changes such as scoliosis. Treatment for LLD is primarily orthotics (insoles), placed in your shoes these will redress the leg length difference and alleviate the stress it places on your joints.

Osteoarthritis is a degenerative joint disorder caused when the cartilage between joints, which reduces friction and absorbs shock, deteriorates. Symptoms of hip arthritis include swelling, severe pain in the thigh and groin, creaking of the joint and possibly walking difficulties.

The causes of osteoarthritis are primarily considered to be age, and gradual wear and tear to joints can mean that degeneration takes place over many years. Poor biomechanics can cause your hip to roll inwards and outwards too much affecting your gait (walk). If your hip is out of synchronisation with your foot, your hip joint will rub, causing arthritis.

An injury such as a car crash or repeated sports injuries from impact and overuse damages the cartilage and it cannot re-grow, in time this too can lead to deterioration and osteoarthritis. Bespoke orthotics are effective in realigning your body and bringing relief from hip arthritis.

The piriformis muscle is a small, flat muscle that is located deep in the buttock near the top of the hip joint. The sciatic nerve runs underneath or through it. The job of the piriformis muscle is to stabilise the hip joint and control the inward roll/twist of the leg, keep balance and shift weight while you walk, run, sit and stand.

Piriformis syndrome is most commonly caused when the muscle spasms and compresses the sciatic nerve causing symptoms similar to sciatica. Signs of piriformis syndrome include pain, tingling or numbness in the buttocks. Flat feet will cause your leg to roll inwards too much forcing the piriformis to work too hard, and poor functioning of the piriformis can also let your hip roll inward hurting your knees and feet.

Overuse, injury or strain can cause the piriformis muscle to spasm. Pain will be felt when running, flexing forward when playing hockey, climbing stairs or sitting for a long time. To assist rehabilitation from Piriformis Syndrome we recommend individually tailored stretches and exercises, and orthotics.

A pulled groin muscle is a common injury in men and women who participate in sports where a lot of quick turning, twisting and kicking is required like football, hockey, high/long jump and running. Those suffering a pulled groin will experience symptoms including a popping or snapping noise when the pull occurs, pain and swelling in the groin and thigh, and pain when raising the knee or bringing the legs together.

Pulled groin muscles can be a particular problem in women during pregnancy. The body goes through many changes at this time and this can cause pain in the groin, hips, inside thighs and lower back. Hormonal changes make muscles looser causing pain in the lower abdomen area. The increase in weight and the growing baby put extra pressure on the hips and pelvic joint.

To assist your rehabilitation and shorten your recovery time (or to assist you during pregnancy), we recommend precision made orthotics and the best exercises and stretches for your specific problem.