Hip pain affects many American adults. It may be intermittent or persistent, mild, moderate or severe. If you have ongoing hip discomfort, seek the advice of a board-certified orthopedic surgeon. This highly qualified physician is your best resource for effective treatment options.
What Causes Hip Pain?
Hip pain may originate in the pelvis and femur (leg bone), muscles, tendons, ligaments, and other structures within and around the hip joint. Many of our patients report that their hip symptoms radiate or spread to their lower backs.
Some common causes of hip pain in adults include:
- Osteoarthritis a very common musculoskeletal condition that develops when cartilage wears down.
- Bursitis inflammation of small, fluid-filled sacs (bursae) that cushion the bones and connective tissues within the hip joint.
- Tendinitis is inflammation of one or more tendons connecting muscles to bones around the hip joint.
- Strains or sprains, injuries to the muscles and/or ligaments around the hip due to overuse or sudden movements and impacts.
- Hip fractures, or breaks, which typically occur in older adults and result from falls, traumatic impact or bone diseases, such as osteoporosis.
- Sciatica the chronic compression and irritation of the sciatic nerve, which runs from the lower back down the legs.
Sadly, not all hip pain originates within the actual hip joint itself. Sometimes, pain develops from problems in nearby areas, such as the spine. Known as referred pain, this kind of hip discomfort may stem from pelvic inflammatory disease, a herniated intervertebral disc in the back, or other reasons.
In addition to issues such as osteoarthritis and hip fractures, certain lifestyle habits can cause hip pain. These issues include carrying excess weight, leading a sedentary lifestyle, smoking, and repetitive movements or activities that strain the hip joint.
What Are the Most Effective Treatment Options for Hip Pain?
Fortunately, there are ways to alleviate and prevent hip joint discomfort. Your orthopedic specialist will examine you and discuss your symptoms and treatment options. Care depends on your exact diagnosis, therapeutic goals, lifestyle, and age.
That said, here are some of the most common treatments for hip pain.
Rest, Ice, Compression and Elevation
This protocol is the gold standard for first aid and for non-invasive treatment of a wide range of musculoskeletal injuries and conditions.
Rest your hip from any activity you believe precipitates pain. Ice the painful area–15 minutes on and 15 minutes off. Your orthopedic specialist may recommend you alternate cold therapy with heat therapy.
Use compression shorts or an elastic wrap around the hip to provide support as you work or exercise. Elevate the hip and affected leg on pillows as you rest. Be sure your hip joint is above the level of your heart to reduce swelling and pain.
Medications
Over-the-counter pain medications (NSAIDS) and injection therapies (cortisone) can ease the inflammation and discomfort associated with many hip injuries and conditions. Prescription medications may also manage pain and promote healing depending on your diagnosis and prospects for recovery of joint health and function.
Physical Therapy
Physical therapy is a non-invasive alternative pain management alternative. Your therapist will work with you to develop a personalized exercise plan to target specific muscles and movements necessary for recovery. He or she may use techniques such as massage, stretching, and ultrasound therapy to improve mobility and reduce pain.
Surgeries
Hip pain sometimes requires surgery to repair damage or replace the joint, particularly in cases where physical therapy and medication have not provided adequate pain relief.
Some common surgeries for hip pain include:
- Hip arthroscopy a minimally invasive procedure where a small camera is inserted into the hip joint to assess and repair damage.
- Hip replacement–removing the damaged hip joint and installing an artificial one made of metal and/or plastic components.
- Osteotomy a surgery that reshapes the bones in the hip joint.
As with most orthopedic surgeries, physical therapy is a major component of rehabilitation. Hip replacement surgery takes months of recovery. However, with PT, that recovery can progress well and even move along more quickly. Some patients use PT to prepare them for major orthopedic procedures, such as hip arthroplasty.
Relief from Hip Pain in Naples, FL
At the Joint Replacement Institute, our orthopedic team develops accurate and effective care plans to help patients deal with hip pain. Dr. H. Kurtis Biggs is our board-certified and fellowship-trained hip surgery expert.
To learn more about our state-of-the-art musculoskeletal treatments, please contact us for a personalized consultation in our Naples office: (239) 261-2663 or request a visit online here. We have helped scores of people have relief from hip pain and experience better mobility and function. Call us soon!
