Your hips are one of your largest joints, and you might not think much about them until they hurt. Unfortunately, hip pain can sneak up on you slowly or hit all at once. Maybe it started as stiffness after a workout, pain climbing stairs, or an ache that now keeps you awake at night.
No matter how it begins, hip pain has a way of affecting almost everything you do. In fact, 14.3% of adults say they have significant hip pain most days.
As an orthopedic surgeon, Dr. Peter Candelora can help you determine what’s causing your hip pain — sports injuries and arthritis are two common culprits — and help you find relief here at Coastal Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine.
If your hips are hurting, here are your first steps to dealing with pain.
The location of your pain can offer important clues about the cause. For example, pain in your groin may point to a hip joint issue, while pain on the outside of your hip may involve tendons or bursitis. Pain that radiates down the leg may be connected to your back or nerves.
Not only should you pinpoint where it hurts, but you should also think about what makes it hurt worse and what makes it better. This is all helpful information to share with Dr. Candelora.
This may seem like an obvious tip, but the reality is that far too many people push through pain. Unfortunately, pushing through hip pain can sometimes increase inflammation and irritation.
If you have hip pain, you may need to temporarily scale back:
That doesn’t always mean complete rest, but modifying activities may help prevent worsening symptoms.
Bottom line: if it hurts, don’t do it.
This is especially true if you have a strained muscle. Hip flexor strains happen if you tear or pull a muscle. Doing too much activity can make the tear even worse. You might refer to this as a “pulled muscle”, but it’s the same thing. For muscle strains, follow the RICE protocol: rest, ice, compression, elevation.
Ice packs and heating pads can help you deal with hip pain from a variety of sources. Ice is often most helpful for newer injuries, while heat may help relax stiff muscles and improve your mobility.
Try ice after activity, and heat before stretching. Cold and hot therapy is especially helpful for arthritis-related pain.
If you’re limping, avoiding certain movements, or struggling with activities like putting on shoes or getting out of a car, your hip pain may be progressing.
Don’t wait until you can’t walk at all before you reach out for help. Loss of mobility (or even just reduced mobility) can signal underlying joint problems that warrant evaluation at our New Port Richey, Florida, office.
Weakness and tightness around your hips can contribute to ongoing hip pain. Gentle stretching and strengthening exercises may help support the joint and improve stability, but don’t do any strengthening or stretching unless directed to do so. Exercising a torn muscle, for example, isn’t the same as strengthening a tight muscle.
You should schedule an evaluation at Coastal Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine if:
Dr. Candelora can help pinpoint the source of your pain and get you started with the right treatment plan.
Hip pain can develop for many reasons, including arthritis, bursitis, labral tears, tendon injuries, and other muscle strains.
At Coastal Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine, Dr. Candelora first evaluates your hip pain using advanced imaging and a physical examination. He may recommend arthroscopy, which is a procedure that allows Dr. Candelora to see your hip joint, make a diagnosis, and repair your hip joint all at once.
Schedule an appointment with Dr. Candelora and the Coastal Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine team to find out what’s causing your hip pain and what treatment options may help you move more comfortably again.
You can reach us by phone (727) 848-1417 or through our online form.
