When do you need to call your doctor about your hip pain?
If you are unsure of the cause of your symptoms, or if you do not know the specific treatment recommendations for your condition, you should seek medical attention. Treatment of hip pain must be directed at the specific cause of your problem. Some signs that you should be seen by a doctor include:
- Inability to walk comfortably on the affected side
- Injury that causes deformity around the joint
- Hip pain that occurs at night or while resting
- Hip pain that persists beyond a few days
- Inability to bend the hip
- Swelling of the hip or the thigh area
- Signs of an infection, including fever, redness, warmth
- Any other unusual symptoms
What are the best treatments for hip pain?
Treatment depends entirely on the cause of the problem. Therefore, it is of utmost importance that you understand the cause of your symptoms before embarking on a treatment program. If you are unsure of your diagnosis, or the severity of your condition, you should seek medical advice before beginning any treatment plan.
Some common treatments for hip pain are listed here. Not all of these treatments are appropriate for every condition, but they may be helpful in your situation.
- Rest: The first treatment for most conditions
that cause hip pain is to rest the joint, and allow
the acute inflammation to subside. Often this is the
only step needed to relieve hip pain. If the
symptoms are severe, crutches or a cane may be
helpful as well.
- Ice and Heat Application: Ice packs and heat
pads are among the most commonly used treatments for
inflammation. So which one is the right one to use,
ice or heat? And how long should the ice or heat
treatments last?
- Stretching: Stretching the muscles and tendons
that surround the joint can help with some causes of
hip pain. A good routine should be established, and
following some specific suggestions will help you on
your way.
- Physical Therapy: Physical therapy is an
important aspect of treatment of almost all
orthopedic conditions. Physical therapists use
different modalities to increase strength, regain
mobility, and help return patients to their
pre-injury level of activity.
- Anti-Inflammatory Medication: Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications, commonly referred to as NSAIDs, are some of the most frequently prescribed medications, especially for patients with hip pain caused by problems such as arthritis, bursitis, and tendonitis.
