Treating Your Excruciating Hip Pain

Everyone will experience some degree of hip pain throughout your life. This can be caused by a variety of problems, but knowing where your pain is coming from can help you determine its cause. Your hip joint is the largest ball and socket joint in your body and can withstand a lot of wear and tear. Despite this, your hip joint can become damaged with age and use. Do not ignore your hip pain. If you find yourself in pain due to issues with your hip, don’t hesitate to contact our hip doctor NYC at New York Sports Medicine Institute. 

Causes Of Hip Pain

There are various conditions that can be making your hips hurt. Some of the causes of hip pain include:

  • Arthritis – The most common causes of hip pain are osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. This is more common in older adults. Arthritis causes inflammation in the joints and can break down the cartilage cushioning your hip bones. This can lead to excruciating pain and stiffness, and can hinder your range of motion.
  • Fractures – Hip fractures are more common in older adults. As you age, your bones become weaker and are more likely to break during a fall. 
  • Bursitis – Bursitis affects the bursae found between tissues. Overworking your hip joint or doing repetitive activities can irritate this joint and cause inflammation. 
  • Tendon or muscle strain – Muscle and tendon strains can be caused by repetitive activities. If you are an athlete, you should be aware of the higher risk of straining. 
  • Bruising or inflammation in the hip area.

Hip pain can be difficult to define. It is important to pay attention to where the pain is. If the pain is inside your hip or groin, your pain is likely stemming from an issue in the hip joint. Pain outside of your hip or in your upper thighs are likely a different issue. If your pain is a result of an injury and you have difficulty walking or moving, you should contact your hip doctor NYC immediately.

Treating Your Excruciating Hip Pain

If your pain is not the result of a fracture or other serious condition and you are not in severe pain, there are things you can do at home to take care of it. Resting and avoiding direct pressure on your hip can help. Over the counter pain relievers and cold packs can also help reduce swelling and pain. Performing low-impact exercises like swimming or stretching can help chronic hip pain from arthritis. If you find that your pain is not getting any better from these self-care treatments or worsens, you should seek the help of a hip doctor NYC. Your doctor will perform an examination of your hip to check for any swelling, redness or warmth. These symptoms are signs of infection or injury. Once your doctor is able to determine the root cause of your hip pain, they can recommend a treatment plan. Sometimes the use of a walking aid like a crutch or cane can help you move better without putting stress on your joints. Physical therapy can also be a great natural way to improve your pain. 

The most aggressive treatment for hip pain is surgery. Although your doctor will recommend non-invasive treatments first, sometimes surgery is necessary. Hip surgery may be needed if you are diagnosed with:

  • Pinched nerve
  • Break
  • Cancer
  • Septic arthritis
  • Labral tear
  • Osteomyelitis

Numerous surgical options are available to relieve your hip pain. Surgeons need to access the hip joint using either an arthroscopic or open technique. Hip arthroscopy is minimally invasive and can help treat many issues. During this procedure, your surgeon will insert a camera and small tools through small incisions to access your hip joint. Open surgery requires a large incision. This procedure involves the hip being dislocated. The surgeon can then repair the surfaces of the hip joint. Most elective surgeries for hip pain will be performed arthroscopically. 

Hip Doctor NYC

Hip pain can be extremely difficult to live with. No matter which treatment route your hip doctor NYC will take, the team at New York Sports Medicine Institute will provide you with the best treatment so you can make a speedy recovery. Contact us today to request an appointment so you can start living your life pain free. 

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