Hip joint pain is a common complaint and has many possible causes. The hip joint is one of the most stable joints in the body, but since it bears your weight, it is more likely to develop issues related to age, weight and several other factors.
The board-certified and fellowship-trained orthopedists at Norton Orthopedic Institute are innovators in nonsurgical treatments and minimally invasive surgeries that can get you back to your active life faster and with less pain.
More patients in Louisville choose Norton Orthopedic Institute than any other provider to help them resume the activities they love.
Hip Pain Causes
Hip pain can be triggered by injury or develop slowly as a symptom of a medical condition. Depending on the cause, pain may be mild to severe and may respond to a variety of treatments.
Medical conditions that cause hip pain include:
- Arthritis – Osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis cause irritation, pain and stiffness in the hip joint.
- Bursitis – This occurs when the fluid-filled sac around the joint becomes inflamed.
- Tendinitis – Irritation or inflammation of the tendons in the pelvis can cause hip pain.
- Pinched nerve – Conditions like sciatica can create pain in the hip.
- Referred pain – Sometimes you may have an injury or condition in one part of the body that radiates to another part of the body.
Injuries that can trigger hip pain include:
- Dislocation of the hip joint
- Fracture of the bones
- Sprains
If you have mild hip pain, you can try some home remedies.
- Rest and avoid prolonged sitting, pressure on the hip, and sleeping on the affected side.
- Pain relievers including acetaminophen (Tylenol), ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB), and naproxen sodium (Aleve) can help.
- Ice in the form of ice cubes or frozen vegetables wrapped in a towel, or heat from a hot bath/shower can ease pain.
When to Seek Help for Hip Pain
If these self-care treatments don’t work or your pain gets worse, call your doctor. The doctor may prescribe medication, perform tests such as X-rays, or discuss physical therapy with you. You should also seek immediate medical care if:
- You are unable to bear weight to stand.
- Your hip made a popping sound accompanied by pain.
- Your hip is visibly deformed after a fall or injury.
- You have intense pain or sudden swelling.
- You have osteoporosis and have fallen.
Hip Pain Treatment
While hip replacements bring relief to many patients, even less-invasive surgery like innovative approaches pioneered at Norton Orthopedic Institute should be a last resort.
Nonsurgical treatments for your hip pain could include:
- Physical therapy and anti-inflammatories – Many patients can reduce their hip pain, improve movement and reduce inflammation with anti-inflammatory medication and physical therapy, making surgery unnecessary. If surgery is required, the muscle training can speed hip replacement recovery.
- Injections – Cortisone injections directly into the joint can improve pain within a few days and provide