Your hips are one of those body parts that you might not pay much attention to — that is, until they start to cause you pain. Hip pain can interfere with your ability to walk, sit, and do other basic tasks. It could seriously affect your quality of life! What are some of the most common painful hip conditions, and what can you do to find relief? This blog post provides some helpful information.
Common Painful Hip Conditions
Some reasons why your hips might hurt include:
- Osteoarthritis. This is the most common cause of hip pain among adults. It occurs when the cartilage that cushions the joint becomes too thin. Although it is most common among seniors, it can also afflict younger people. Depending on its severity, it can be extremely painful.
- Labrum tears. These occur when the labrum, a rim of cartilage around the hip, becomes torn due to injury, anatomical abnormalities, or other issues.
- Impingement. This occurs when the top of the leg bone rubs against the lip of the hip socket. Impingement can be uncomfortable on its own, and it can be a cause of labrum tears as well.
- Other causes of hip pain. Bone fractures, tendon injuries, sciatica, a lack of blood flow to the tip of the femur (a condition known as avascular necrosis), and other conditions all have the potential to cause debilitating hip pain.
What Treatments Are Available?
Severe hip pain should be assessed by a qualified orthopedic physician. After a thorough evaluation, they can identify the cause of your pain and design a treatment plan to help you find relief. Here are a few examples of therapies that have the potential to provide significant pain reduction:
- Biologic injections. Stem cell therapy, prolotherapy, and platelet-rich plasma (PRP) all have the potential to amp up your body’s natural healing processes. This can help to repair damaged tissues, reduce inflammation, and provide long-term pain relief.
- Shock wave therapy. Some hip conditions can be addressed via shock wave therapy, which uses acoustic waves to increase blood flow to the site of damaged tissues. The blood brings healing and growth factors with it, which can lead to pain relief.
- Nerve hydrodissection. This is a treatment for different types of nerve entrapment, including sciatica. It places a fluid cushion around impinged nerves in order to provide pain relief.
- Other pain relief options. Pain medications, physical therapy, and, in some cases, surgery, may all be part of a plan for the relief of severe and ongoing hip pain. Your doctor will tailor your treatments to fit your unique circumstances and preferences!
Hip pain should not be allowed to take over your life! Seek treatment from a qualified physician so you can gain increased mobility and better overall wellness.
Meet the Practice
Dr. Paul Tortland has been serving patients at Valley Sports Physicians & Orthopedic Medicine for nearly 30 years. He is viewed as an expert in the field of regenerative medicine and offers a range of conservative and effective treatments for various hip conditions. If you are struggling with hip pain, he and our team are ready to learn about your situation and provide a personalized recommendation on your next steps. Contact our office in Glastonbury at 860-430-9690.