Hip pointer is an injury that occurs when your iliac crest (the top part of your pelvic bone) is hit with a hard object or from hard impact. The injury can cause damage to the soft tissues and bones around your hip, resulting in pain, tenderness, and bruising.
A hip pointer injury is a pain situated specifically on the top front side of your iliac crest, and can radiate around the hips, affecting your daily activities such as walking, laughing, and even breathing. The severity of hip pointer injury can vary from a minor bruise to a more serious injury that requires immediate medical attention.
Hip pointer is an injury that occurs specifically on the upper front side of the iliac crest.
What causes hip pointer?
Hip pointer injuries are typically caused by direct blows or trauma to the iliac crest of the pelvis. The iliac crest is the upper edge of your hip bone and is prone to injury as it is located near the surface of your skin with little protection from the surrounding tissue.
Hip pointer injuries can happen due to:
High impact or contact sports or activities
Car accidents
Falls
When the iliac crest is struck, it can cause bleeding, swelling, and pain in the surrounding muscles and soft tissues, leading to a hip pointer injury.
What are the symptoms of hip pointer?
Symptoms of hip pointer include:
Pain and tenderness in the upper-outer part of your hip
Numbness or a tingling sensation in the affected leg
Hip point injuries usually result in bruising or swelling around the affected area.
If you notice any of the symptoms, make an appointment with an orthopaedic specialist to get an accurate diagnosis and treatment.
Dr Puah KL is our Senior Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon at Artisan Sports & Orthopaedic Surgery. He used to serve the sports service of Singapore General Hospital - the highest volume trauma centre for orthopaedics in Singapore.
Hip pointer can be painful, especially when left untreated for a long period of time. The pain level can vary between individuals depending on the severity of the injury.
Individuals with minor hip pointer may experience mild pain and discomfort, while those with a more serious injury may experience significant pain and swelling that can make it difficult to move or walk. In some cases, hip pointer can lead to temporary disability.
Who is at risk of hip pointer in Singapore?
Anyone can be at risk of hip pointer injury, but several factors may increase your risk.
These factors are:
Sports: individuals involved in contact sports are more susceptible to hip pointer.
Manual labour: individuals who work in jobs that involve physical labour or manual handling may also be at risk of developing hip pointer injuries.
How is hip pointerdiagnosed?
Hip pointer is diagnosed in the following ways:
Physical examination: along with your medical history and a description about how your injury occurred, a physical examination of the affected area will be conducted and your hip may be pressed to check for tenderness, swelling, and/or deformity.
Imaging tests:x-rays, computed tomography scans (CT-scan), and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) will be performed to evaluate the extent of your injury and rule out potential causes of pain.
What are the treatment options for hip pointer in Singapore?
Treatment options for hip pointer may vary between individuals, depending on the severity of the injury and overall condition.
Some treatment options for hip pointer injury include:
Rest: rest the affected area and limit any activity that causes pain.
Ice packs: apply ice packs for 20 minutes at a time (few times a day) to reduce pain and swelling.
