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Hip pain is a common symptom that can be brought on by anything from arthritis to sports injuries. It can interfere with daily routine and exercise, making even simple tasks such as walking or bending seem difficult.
Hip pain is typically treated at home with over-the-counter painkillers and taking a break from physical activity. However, additional therapies might be required if the pain worsens or doesn't go away.
Reasons for hip pain
Part of the treatment plan for hip main includes finding out the cause of hip pain. Some common causes include:
· Bursitis: Bursae are sacs of fluid found between the bones and soft tissues which reduce friction during movement. Bursitis is inflammation of the bursae, resulting in pain on the outer hip.
· Hip strain: When a hip muscle is overstretched or tears, it can weaken the joint and cause pain and swelling.
· Tendinitis: Tendons are the soft tissues that connect muscles with bones. Inflammation of tendons causes pain during movement.
· Osteoarthritis: This is a common form of arthritis in which the cartilage in the hip joint breaks down. It may remove the cushioning between bones, resulting in hip stiffness, decreased range of motion, and pain in the groin and thighs.
· Rheumatoid arthritis: This type of arthritis is an autoimmune disorder in which the body’s immune system causes cartilage-destroying inflammation throughout the body, especially in the hips. Rheumatoid arthritis causes discomfort that worsens with rest but improves with activity.
Treatment options for hip pain
Treatment modality for hip pain may be classified as non-surgical and surgical techniques. Here, we describe each of these techniques in detail.
A. Non-surgical hip pain treatment
(i) Injections and infusions: Corticosteroid injections can be directly administered into the hip to relieve pain and inflammation. In infusion therapy, medications are directly delivered into the muscles or intravenously in order to reduce inflammation.
The latest technique in the form of PRP or platelet-rich plasma injections make use of platelets from your own blood which boosts tissue regeneration, aids in wound healing, and repairs cartilage.
(ii) Nutraceuticals: These are herbal or dietary supplements that help reduce pain in the hip joint. Examples of such supplements are glucosamine and chondroitin, which may help strengthen overall health of the bones and soft tissues.
(iii) Lifestyle modifications: Losing the excess flab, indulging in low-impact exercises, and using a cane or walker are some simple lifestyle modifications that can be incorporated to decrease hip pain.
(iv)Pain medications: Over-the-counter (OTC) pain relievers can be used to ease hip pain. Analgesics such as muscle rubs can also bring temporary pain relief. Other than these, prescription medications such as antirheumatic drugs and biological response modifiers may also be used.
(v)Physical and occupational therapy: Physical therapy is especially beneficial if you suffer from arthritis. As part of the exercise programs, your physical therapist will teach you some of the safer forms of exercise that will benefit your hip. You will also be taught ways to complete daily activities with less discomfort.
(vi) RICE method: RICE is an acronym for “rest, ice, compression, and elevation.” This comprises of taking rest from pain-inducing activities, applying ice pack over the painful area, wearing a compression bandage on the hip to facilitate blood flow, and keeping the affected leg at an elevated height, above the level of the heart while resting.
B. Surgical hip pain treatment: When all the above non-surgical hip pain treatment methods fail, surgical options may be your best bet.
(i) Hip arthroscopy: In order to remove or repair damaged soft tissues or remove problematic bone fragments, the surgeon will make a few small incisions in the hip and use specialized surgical instruments and a scope equipped with a camera.
(ii) Hip replacement (Hip arthroplasty): In this procedure, an orthopaedic surgeon replaces one or both of the damaged hip joint's ends with artificial components. The damaged sections of the hip joint are replaced with parts that are made up of metal, ceramic, or very hard plastic.
To summarize briefly, hip pain is a common symptom that can occur due to sports injury, a medical condition, or because of accidents and falls. With a host of treatments on offer these days, thankfully there are more than one alternative.
To establish which treatment method would be most suitable for your particular situation, it is advisable to get in touch with your healthcare provider who would decide on the right course of treatment.
The aim of the treatment resorted to should be to reduce pain and inflammation while allowing the individual the liberty to carry out daily chores with less restriction and limitations.
KM NU Hospitals is a renowned name in the field of orthopedic care. Located in Ambur, Tamil Nadu, this institute is famous for its expert team of medical professionals, state-of-the-art facilities, and top-notch medical equipment.
The orthopedic surgeons at KM NU Hospitals are adept and experienced in handling numerous hip replacement surgeries successfully. If you are suffering from hip pain and want a fool-proof solution for it, visit KM NU Hospitals in Ambur to avail the best in-house treatment for hip pain.
References:
1. Hip pain. Cleveland Clinic. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/symptoms/21118-hip-pain.
2. Hip pain treatments: What are your options? Reid Health. https://www.reidhealth.org/blog/hip-pain-treatments-what-are-your-options.
3. Non-surgical hip pain treatment. Penn Medicine. https://www.pennmedicine.org/for-patients-and-visitors/find-a-program-or-service/orthopaedics/hip-pain/non-surgical-hip-treatment#:~:text=Pain%20Medications%3A%20Over%2Dthe%2D,used%20for%20temporary%20pain%20relief.
4. Treatment options for hip pain. HSS. https://www.hss.edu/hip-pain-center-treatments.asp.
Author: Dr. Allen Sunny Deol S V