Hip Pain

There are many different causes of hip pain. Some conditions that cause hip pain, such as bursitis, tendinitis, and sprains and strains can be treated with medication and physical therapy. The most common conditions that often require hip replacement are arthritis, fracture and avascular necrosis.

Arthritis

Arthritis is the most common cause of hip pain. The condition can cause pain and stiff joints, and makes it difficult to walk and bend. The two types of arthritis that most often cause hip pain are osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. Arthritis can’t be reversed, but non-surgical hip treatments can often help manage the pain. If conservative treatments don’t help, hip replacement surgery may be an option.

Osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis is characterized by “wear and tear” in your hip joints. Protective cartilage cushions your bones and joints, allowing them to move smoothly. When cartilage gets damaged or breaks down over time, the bones rub against one another. Eventually bony spurs develop and the muscles and ligaments around the hip get weaker. Your hip joint becomes stiff and more difficult and painful to move. 

Rheumatoid Arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic condition that causes inflammation of joints and tissues. It can also affect other organs in your body. RA is an autoimmune disease, which means your immune system mistakenly attacks your own body’s tissues. Unlike the damage caused by wear-and-tear with osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis affects the lining of your joints, causing painful swelling. Bones can eventually erode and joints become deformed.

There is no cure for rheumatoid arthritis, but early aggressive treatment with medications, physical therapy and exercise can slow its progress. If medications don’t slow or prevent joint damage, joint replacement surgery may be an option.

Fracture

Hip fractures are common in older adults and people who have osteoporosis, a disease that weakens bones. A hip fracture causes sudden, severe pain and needs immediate medical attention. Most hip fractures require surgery, which usually happens within 24 hours. 

Avascular Necrosis

Avascular necrosis, also called osteonecrosis, occurs when the blood supply doesn’t reach the bones. It can lead to tiny breaks in the bone and eventually the bone can totally collapse. Early on, there aren’t symptoms, but as the condition progresses, pain develops in the joint and becomes severe.

Treatment for Hip Pain

The most effective treatment for hip pain starts with the right diagnosis. The Orthopaedic team at the St. Elizabeth Total Joint Center have the expertise and diagnostic experience to determine the cause of your pain. Conservative, non-surgical treatments for hip pain may be the best way to get relief. If surgery, such as a hip replacement, is the best option, we offer innovative approaches that use new technology and minimally invasive techniques. That means better results and getting back to moving with less pain, faster. 

Contact Us

Is your hip pain bothering you? Schedule an appointment with our Sports Medicine physicians for a treatment plan tailored to you. Call (859) 212-5600 to make an appointment.

If you haven’t found relief from nonsurgical hip treatments, we can help. Our physicians can provide a referral to one of our affiliated orthopaedic surgeons. For more information on surgical options, please contact us at askortho@stelizabeth.com.