The hip is a complex joint and a common source of pain. How common? Hip pain affects 30-40% of people who play sports. In the general population, it strikes 12-15% of people over age 60.
The most common causes of hip pain are arthritis, overuse injuries such as tendinitis and bursitis, hip fracture, strain, and labral tear. Hip pain can be sharp, dull, sporadic, or constant. You may feel it in your hip, groin, or thigh, depending on what’s causing your issue.
At Tuscaloosa Orthopedic & Joint Institute in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, fellowship-trained orthopedic surgeon Dr. Bryan King has extensive experience treating all types of hip injuries.
In addition, he has special expertise in hip joint replacement surgery. Fortunately, not everyone needs surgery to treat their hip pain. Here, he explains the four types of hip pain treatment.
For mild to moderate hip pain accompanied by inflammation, over-the-counter pain relievers such as acetaminophen (Tylenol®) and non-steroidal anti-inflammatories drugs, NSAIDs, such as ibuprofen (Advil®) and naproxen (Aleve®) can relieve and reduce pain, along with rest.
Those with tendonitis, bursitis, and osteoarthritis can benefit from these medications.
For those with rheumatoid arthritis, medications such as NSAIDs can help, as well as disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs) like methotrexate and sulfasalazine, and biologics.
Another way to reduce inflammation caused by overuse or arthritis is cortisone injections. Additionally, injections can slow down joint damage, but it’s not a long-term solution. Side effects of injections include thinning of bones and weight gain, so they’re used primarily to relieve painful symptoms immediately.
Physical therapy is an integral part of relieving hip pain. It would help if you did physical therapy in conjunction with any other treatments, including after surgery. Physical therapy exercises and practices can strengthen the muscles around your hip to provide support.
Physical therapy can also help with a reduction in stiffness and an increase in mobility.
If nonsurgical treatments fail to provide hip pain relief, or you have severe arthritis, hip joint replacement surgery can relieve pain and get you back to an active lifestyle. Dr. King discusses your treatment options and recommends surgery if he feels that is the best way for you to resume a pain-free lifestyle.
Does your hip ache? Call Tuscaloosa Orthopedic & Joint Institute to make an appointment with Dr. King for an accurate diagnosis and effective treatment plan.
