A hip pointer is a deep bruise on the top part of your pelvis, called the iliac crest.
A hip pointer is caused by a direct blow to the pelvis. This injury happens most often in a contact sports, such as football, when a helmet is driven into the iliac crest.
You have tenderness in the top part of your hip.
Your healthcare provider will examine your hip and pelvis. You may have an X-ray to check for a fracture.
To reduce swelling and pain in the first day or two, your healthcare provider will probably tell you to:
The pain from a hip pointer usually lasts several weeks, sometimes longer. You may have pain whenever that area is touched for several weeks.
Everyone recovers from an injury at a different rate. Return to your activities depends on how soon your hip recovers, not by how many days or weeks it has been since your injury has occurred. In general, the longer you have symptoms before you start treatment, the longer it will take to get better. The goal is to return to your normal activities as soon as is safely possible. If you return too soon you may worsen your injury.
You may return to your normal activities after a hip pointer when you have no pain when you are walking or jogging.
A hip pointer is hard to prevent. However, if you are playing a contact sport, wearing proper protective padding over this area of your body may help to prevent injury.
