Walking is one of the best and safest forms of exercise; many adults have a specific step count that they try to reach each day in order to maintain their health. But what if walking has become uncomfortable for you due to osteoarthritis and the frequent hip pain it can cause? Should you keep trying to reach your step goal, or should you scale back on your physical activity? That depends on a few factors.
Walking Is Usually a Good Thing
For individuals with mild to moderate osteoarthritis in their hips, walking is usually a good thing. In fact, it can have some substantial benefits:
- Walking can lubricate your joints, which can ease pain.
- Walking helps to loosen up your hip flexors, which can encourage mobility and decrease discomfort.
- Exercise increases blood flow throughout the body, which can reduce painful inflammation in the hip joints.
- Regular walking may improve muscle tone around the hips, which can support the joints and slow down the degenerative process.
You might hear some exercise enthusiasts say that you should walk at least 10,000 steps a day. However, that is not always realistic. Do what you can, and be sure to take a break if you start to experience extreme discomfort.
When Should You Stop Walking?
If you have severe osteoarthritis and walking causes intense pain, you should not force yourself to do it any more than necessary. You could end up worsening your discomfort and experiencing few to no benefits. Listen to your body and allow your aching joints to rest.
Long-Lasting Relief from Hip Pain
Some patients with severe osteoarthritis may need surgery in order to find long-lasting relief from their pain and resume a regular exercise routine. However, if your condition is not yet that advanced, it is very likely that non-surgical orthopedic treatments can do much to reduce your discomfort and support the health of your hips.
For example, regenerative medicine treatments, such as platelet-rich plasma (PRP) and stem cells, may be able to slow down the progression of osteoarthritis and result in a significant reduction in pain. Used in conjunction with frequent exercise, these techniques are often able to help patients delay or even avoid invasive surgical procedures.
Walking may be great for your body, even if you have a measure of hip pain from osteoarthritis. If you are unsure if you should engage in this exercise, talk to your orthopedic doctor for personalized advice.
Meet the Practice
Dr. Paul Tortland, DO, is an experienced orthopedic physician who is proud to provide a broad range of services for individuals throughout Glastonbury and the surrounding communities. If you are interested in learning how he and our team may be able to help you find relief from persistent hip pain, contact Valley Sports Physicians & Orthopedic Medicine at 860-430-9690.