Hip pain can be very frustrating. It can make daily activities such as walking, stair climbing, exercise, and sleep difficult. However, many people may benefit from non-surgical hip pain treatment without immediately needing to turn to surgery.
At Virgin Islands Neurology, our pain specialists in the U.S. Virgin Islands can evaluate hip pain, identify potential causes, and help patients understand appropriate treatment options. Keep this as a soft introduction to the practice rather than a hard sales pitch.
The hip is a ball-and-socket joint made up of the femoral head (the ball) and acetabulum (the socket) of the pelvis. The bones have a layer of cartilage to protect against bone-on-bone friction. The synovial fluid also helps lubricate the joint.
The hip muscles allow for movement in the hip, and the ligaments hold the bones together. Together, these structures allow the hip joint to move in a wide range of motion. Problems involving any of these structures within the hip can cause pain and stiffness.
There are many possible causes of hip pain. Identifying the cause can help your physician effectively treat the symptoms.
Common hip conditions that can cause pain include the following:
An evaluation by a doctor is important because there may be many reasons why your hip hurts. Your doctor will begin by considering your medical history. They will also ask about your symptoms. They may ask about where you feel pain, when it started, and what activities make it feel better or worse.
During a physical exam, they will evaluate your hip’s strength, mobility, and flexibility. They may ask you to walk around their office to check your gait (walking patterns). Depending on what your doctor has found during the initial part of diagnosis, you may be asked to carry out imaging tests. This may include X-rays or MRI scans.
Non-surgical treatments are chosen according to the underlying cause of your hip pain, the severity of your symptoms, and overall health.
Non-surgical treatments for treating hip pain may include:
No. Non-surgical treatment cannot guarantee that a patient will never need hip surgery. Non-surgical treatments are sometimes very effective in alleviating pain and other associated symptoms, but it doesn’t mean you will never need surgery.
Non-surgical treatments can provide long-lasting relief for mild to moderate hip conditions. This means that surgery can often be delayed.
Surgery for hip pain may be considered for the following reasons:
You don’t have to live with persistent hip pain. At Virgin Islands Neurology, in the U.S. Virgin Islands, we provide several non-surgical treatment options to manage your symptoms without surgery. Schedule your appointment today.
There are many effective non-surgical approaches for hip pain. Your physician will recommend treatment based on your condition and its severity.
Yes, an exercise routine developed by a physical therapist can help relieve pain. Strengthening the muscles surrounding the hip joint and increasing mobility can help many people with hip pain.
There are many different types of injections designed to relieve hip pain. Corticosteroid injections can provide quick relief. Non-surgical injections such as platelet-rich plasma can help support healing.
Reducing excess weight will reduce the stress placed on weight-bearing joints such as the hip. A healthy diet and regular exercise can help you with weight loss.
Your physician may talk to you about hip surgery if you have persistent severe symptoms, significant joint damage, or inadequate response to conservative treatments.
