Hip Pain

What causes hip pain?

The hips are ball-and-socket joints that connect your pelvis to your legs. In daily life, hips are subjected to constant use and hip pain is a common complaint for many people. Hip pain can be felt in the hip joint, but may spread to the upper leg or buttocks. 

Leading causes of hip pain include:

• Injury
• Arthritis
• Tendonitis
• Bursitis
• Avascular necrosis

Injury to the hip joint, from a fall, automotive accident, or other cause, can lead to a fracture that causes pain. Arthritis and tendonitis both cause inflammation, which makes the joint stiff and painful. 

With bursitis, pockets of fluid that normally cushion the joint and help it move get inflamed. Avascular necrosis develops when a lack of blood supply causes bone deterioration over time. Bone cancer can also cause hip pain, but it isn’t as common as the above conditions.

How is hip pain diagnosed?

When you come to Dr. Downs at Orthopaedic Specialists for hip pain, he takes the time to examine your hips and talk about your symptoms to determine the cause of your pain. 

X-rays assess the state of your bones, helping the team determine if bone deterioration is the cause of your pain. For soft-tissue conditions like bursitis, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) gives the team an inside look at the health of your hips.

X-rays and MRIs are often the best tests to determine what’s causing your hip pain, but in some cases, as with bone cancer, additional testing may be required.

How can I find relief from hip pain?

The best treatment method for hip pain often depends on the cause. Medication to manage pain, physical therapy, and surgical options are all available to help you find real relief from your chronic hip pain.

Oral painkillers like acetaminophen or NSAIDs can treat acute hip pain. Physical therapy is focused on restoring range of motion and relieving pain. Specialty treatments for hip pain at Orthopaedic Specialists include prescription medications to fight the symptoms of arthritis or chemotherapy and radiotherapy for bone cancer.

Hip replacement can be an option for patients with severe joint deterioration. If a joint is significantly damaged, replacing it with an artificial joint reduces inflammation and helps you return to an active life pain-free.

Hip pain is no match for orthopedic expert Dr. Downs at Orthopaedic Specialists. Contact the office location nearest you or book an appointment online today.