[Hip pain--a problem of differential diagnosis in the primary care practice].

The criterion "positive or negative capsular pattern" serves as a signpost in the differential diagnosis of pain in the groin. Slipped capital femoral epiphysis, Legg-Calvé-Perthes disease, necrosis of the femoral head in adults, and the coxarthrosis of athletes belong to the first group. Inguinal hernia, osteitis pubis, and adductor tendinosis have no capsular pattern. Pain not localized in the groin is referred to as pelvic girdle pain. Pelvic girdle pain can arise suddenly after an intense trauma such as after a traffic accident, overstraining during sports or as apophyseal injuries. If chronic pelvic girdle pain exists, the cause of the problem is frequently primary or insertion tendinosis or bursitis.