Hip pain: causes and treatment options

An aching hip is a common complaint for many folks whether you’re young with a previous injury or aging and battling the onset of arthritis. From its problems to solutions and help, Dr. Josh Lawson is sharing insight with potential patients to help guide them on the road to relief.

“Hip pain is a very common problem among adults effecting as many as 15-30% of adults,” Dr. Lawson shared. “Causes of hip pain are numerous with the most common causes including hip arthritis, inflammation or injury to various tendon and soft tissue structures around the hip, or referred pain from lower back abnormalities.”

He went on to note that the most common form of hip arthritis is osteoarthritis. Other causes, albeit less common, include inflammatory conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, lupus, and psoriatic arthritis.

“Hip osteoarthritis has many causes and includes obesity, history of prior injuries or trauma to the hip joint, avascular necrosis, and structural abnormalities, such as hip dysplasia or hip impingement,” Dr. Lawson explained. “It classically presents with pain in the groin that is made worse with activity. Often, patients will have difficulty with seemingly mundane tasks, including putting on their shoes and socks, going up and down stairs, standing from a seated position, and develop a limp or waddling gait. Its also possible for patients to have referred pain to the knee.”

The evaluation of hip arthritis begins with a physical exam and X-rays, according to Dr. Lawson, and they can also require more detailed studies such as CT scans or MRIs on occasion.

Treatment for hip arthritis in Dr. Lawson’s practice most commonly begins with nonsurgical options, which include anti-inflammatory medications, activity modification, use of ambulatory aides, physical therapy, and steroid injections into the hip joint.

“The success of these treatment options depends on the severity of the arthritis,” he explained. “Once nonsurgical options become ineffective, surgery becomes an option which most commonly involves a total hip replacement. Though partial hip replacements are available, they are mostly reserved for hip fracture treatment. I recommend a patient consider a total hip replacement when their quality of life is being negatively effected by their hip pain.”

Dr. Lawson went on to share that hip replacement surgery is a very successful procedure for the treatment of hip pain related to arthritis and is considered one of the most successful advances in medicine of the 20th century.

“It can be performed through different incisions based on the surgeon’s preference,” he said. “Long term results do not demonstrate any significant difference in outcome, although the newly developed direct anterior approach may allow a faster return to activity without the need for hip precautions. Patients typically stay 1-2 nights in the hospital and begin weight bearing immediately after surgery.”

Recovery times range from 6-8 weeks, during which the patient participates in self-directed home exercises or formal physical therapy. Relative to other joint replacement surgery, hip replacement surgery is usually less painful and easier recovery, Dr. Lawson added.

To learn more about Dr. Lawson and his practice or to schedule a consultation, call his office at 423-803-4975 or visit orthopedicsurgicalspecialists.com or find them on Facebook at www.facebook.com/OrthoSurgSpecialists.

Noteworthy:

“Causes of hip pain are numerous with the most common causes including hip arthritis, inflammation or injury to various tendon and soft tissue structures around the hip, or referred pain from lower back abnormalities.” Dr. Josh Lawson