Hip Joint Pain -Treatment

Self-Care at Home

As we age, the body tends to tolerate falling less easily. Falls often can cause contusions (or bruising) and inflammation of the tissues that are damaged. This pain may not be felt immediately, and the injured area may begin to stiffen and get sore over a few hours. If the patient can stand and walk relatively easily with minimal limp, then it is reasonable to rest and ice the injured areas and begin activity as tolerated. Over-the-counter pain medications (acetaminophen [Tylenol], ibuprofen [Advil], naproxen [Aleve]) may be used. Crutches, a cane or a walker may be useful in the short term but these need to be fitted to the patient's height, and some people may need training to use them properly. Usually, the pain and stiffness will resolve over a few days. If the pain persists or starts to worsen instead of getting better, medical evaluation may be helpful.

Hip pain and soreness that develop because of overuse but without any specific injury may be cared for at home with rest and gradual return to full activity. While rest is important, it is also important to maintain range of motion, meaning that attempts should be made to stretch the leg, hip, and back and keep the whole body moving.

Care for hip pain that exists because of an underlying medical condition should be coordinated with the health-care practitioner. Often, the hip pain will be episodic, depending upon the control of the medical condition
Medical Treatment
The cause of the hip pain will direct the treatment provided.

Aside from medications, therapy will be directed to maintain the strength and range of motion of the hip. As with any illness or injury, the goal is to return the patient to their normal level of function. A team approach involving the health-care practitioner, physical therapist, or chiropractic care provider may be considered...
Medications
Discomfort often may be managed with over-the-counter pain medications. Acetaminophen, ibuprofen, and naproxen all may be used. Even though these drugs do not require a prescription, each has its own potential for side effects if underlying medical conditions are present. It is worthwhile asking for help from a pharmacist or advising your health-care practitioner that you are taking a new nonprescription medication. For example, acetaminophen (Tylenol) should be avoided in people with liver disease, while nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications like aspirin, ibuprofen, and naproxen should be taken with care by people taking blood thinners or who have peptic ulcer disease.

Prescription medication use will depend upon the reason for the hip pain. Most often, the medications are directed at treatment of the underlying illness or injury causing the pain. Depending upon the situation, short courses of narcotic or nonnarcotic pain medications with or without muscle relaxants may be used until the underlying condition is resolved.
Surgery
Hip fractures commonly require surgery to fix the fracture. The type of surgery depends upon the location of the fracture within the hip joint. The underlying health of the patient needs to be assessed, and the risks of general anesthesia need to be considered.

Hip replacement is perhaps the most common joint replacement surgery. It is considered in patients with progressive arthritis that affects the patient's ability to do daily activities. Hip resurfacing is an alternative to hip replacement. The choice of procedure is a joint decision made by the orthopedic surgeon and patient to be able to return the patient to the level activity that they would like to achieve.

Hip arthroscopy has become more widely available to evaluate and treat hip joint damage, including labrum and cartilage tears, loose bodies within the joint, and early arthritis
Hip Pain Prevention
The body is a machine that needs to be well looked after over a lifetime. By maintaining a normal body mass index and avoiding obesity, providing a good diet to build strong bones, and by exercising routinely to preserve normal range of motion of the hip, osteoarthritis of the hips and back pain may be avoided.

Medications that prevent osteoporosis in women should be considered to minimize the risk of hip and back fractures in at-risk women. These include calcium, vitamin D, and bisphosphonates (Actonel, Boniva, Fosamax). Bone mineral density screening may be a reasonable screening tool.

For older individuals, it is important to minimize the risk of falling and breaking a hip or sustaining other injuries related to a fall. Preventive measures include wearing good shoes with a good tread, using a cane or walker for stability if needed, and making certain that walking areas in the home are free of clutter, including slippery area rugs.

For individuals of all ages, it is important to maintain good strength, flexibility, and posture throughout life to allow the hip to move and function normally.


Hip Pain Prognosis

The most common causes of hip pain involve the aging process of the joint, causing arthritis and the loss of calcium content in the bone and predisposing one to fracture. As people improve their diet and increase their exercise programs to maintain healthy bodies (including healthy bones and joints), the goal is to allow people to be as active as possible as late in life as possible.