Hip pain can be a disruptive and debilitating condition that hinders basic daily activities and negatively impacts one’s overall well-being. While it’s normal to experience occasional discomfort in the hips, especially as you age, it’s always a good idea to address chronic hip pain sooner rather than later.
What does it take to overcome chronic hip pain? Do you need to find a hip pain doctor or other medical specialist to treat it? Thankfully, there’s hope. Let’s take a look at options for treating hip and other chronic pain and which steps you can take to find relief.
A Closer Look at Hip Pain
Hip pain can originate from a variety of causes such as injuries, diseases, or conditions affecting the hip joint. It might also be a result of referred pain from other areas of the body. The most common causes of hip pain include arthritis, bursitis, tendinitis, hip fractures, and nerve impingements like sciatica.
There’s a significant difference between acute and chronic hip pain. Acute hip pain is temporary, often due to an injury or strain, and typically resolves within days or weeks with proper home care. Chronic hip pain, however, is persistent, lasting for more than three months. It could indicate a more serious underlying condition that needs medical attention.
Signs and Symptoms of Chronic Hip Pain
Chronic hip pain manifests in numerous ways. It may present as a constant dull ache, sharp stabbing pain, or stiffness in the hip region. You might also experience reduced range of motion, limping, swelling over the hip, or warmth around the joint.
These symptoms can significantly affect an individual’s daily life by limiting their mobility and independence, causing difficulty in doing even the simplest tasks such as sitting or walking, bending down to pick up items off the floor, or getting dressed.
Chronic hip pain can have both physical and emotional repercussions. Physically, it can lead to decreased mobility and strength, making it difficult to maintain an active lifestyle. It could limit your ability to exercise, partake in your favorite hobbies, and even affect your sleep, leading to an overall lower quality of life. Emotionally, living with persistent pain can lead to feelings of frustration, depression, or anxiety.
When to See a Hip Pain Doctor or Specialist
If you’re dealing with chronic hip pain that doesn’t improve with rest or over-the-counter pain relievers, it’s time to see a hip pain doctor —especially if the pain worsens at night or during specific activities, or if it’s accompanied by other symptoms such as unexplained weight loss, intense pain, or signs of an infection like fever or redness.
Ignoring hip pain and delaying treatment can lead to complications, including permanent joint damage and disability.
A hip pain doctor — more frequently called a pain management specialist — is trained and equipped to diagnose and treat chronic pain. They conduct a thorough evaluation, which may include physical examinations, medical history reviews, and diagnostic tests such as X-rays or MRI scans. They’ll also ask you to tell them your pain story, including when the pain started, its severity, and how often it occurs.
By identifying the underlying cause of your hip pain, these practitioners can recommend effective treatment strategies based on your unique condition. These may include physical therapy, medication, lifestyle modifications, or in severe cases, surgery.
In recent years, many medical specialists have turned to minimally invasive pain treatments to provide faster and more effective reduction in pain. These treatments include:Â
- Corticosteroid injections
- Nerve blocks
- Trigger point injections
- Radiofrequency ablations
Treat Hip Pain at HPM
At HPM, we provide attentive and comprehensive pain management treatments for a long list of medical conditions, including chronic hip pain. Our practitioners are trained and certified medical professionals who take the time to find the true source of each patient’s pain.
Don’t let chronic hip pain control your life. Visit our website to find a location near you and take the first step towards regaining your mobility and freedom from pain.
