12 Lower Half: Hips and Pelvis

Hip and pelvic pain are common among farmers and ranchers due to the physically demanding nature of the job. Long hours of lifting, climbing, and working on uneven terrain put constant strain on these joints, leading to stiffness, soreness, and, over time, chronic issues. Ignoring hip pain can make everyday tasks—like mounting equipment or simply walking—more difficult. Taking small steps to strengthen the hips, use proper lifting techniques, and stay mindful of posture can help keep pain from becoming a long-term problem.

Common Injuries

• Hip Strains & Sprains: Overstretching or sudden twisting from uneven terrain or heavy lifting.
• Hip Bursitis: Inflammation from repetitive movements like mounting equipment or climbing.
• Pelvic Fractures: High-impact injuries from falls, livestock kicks, or machinery accidents.
• Sciatica: Compression of the sciatic nerve causing radiating pain down the leg.

Signs & Symptoms

• Hip Strains & Sprains: Pain, swelling, and stiffness, especially when walking or standing.
• Hip Bursitis: Sharp pain on the outer hip that worsens with movement or pressure.
• Pelvic Fractures: Severe pain, difficulty walking, and possible bruising or deformity.
• Sciatica: Burning or shooting pain that travels from the lower back down the leg, often with numbness or tingling.

Common Conditions of the Hip and Pelvis

• Avascular Necrosis: a condition involved in the loss of bone caused by not getting enough blood. It can also be caused by injury or bone tumors. It may lead to breakdown of the hip joint.
• Bursitis (continued from above) : a condition caused by the inflammation of the bursa (a fluid-filled sac that reduces friction between tissues. There are two main bursas in the hip and pelvic area:

1. Trochanteric bursa:  on the side of the hip and separated from the actual hip joint by tissue and bone.
2. liopsoas bursa. The bursa in the upper buttock area.

• Hip Contusion (Pointer): occurs when the muscle attached to the top of the ilium (bone of the hip)—just below the waist—gets bruised or torn. This injury is often caused by a direct impact, a fall, or a sudden twist of the body.
• Hip Dysplasia: occurs when the ball of the femur is loose in the hip socket. While typically present at birth, it can also develop later in life.

Central States Center for Agricultural Safety and Health. (2024, July 9). Common injuries

Cleveland Clinic. (2025). Pelvic pain: Causes, symptoms, treatment & relief. Cleveland Clinic. Retrieved February 27, 2025, from https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/symptoms/12106-pelvic-pain

Johns Hopkins Medicine. (2025). Hip problems. Johns Hopkins Medicine. Retrieved February 27, 2025, from https://bit.ly/3xKqGpO