Hip Services

When to See A Doctor About Hip Pain

The hip joint, the body’s largest ball-and-socket joint, connects the thigh bone (femur) to the pelvis. As the hip joint supports your full body weight when walking or running, the femur sits very deeply in the socket, supported by a soft cushion of cartilage and strong ligaments to aid in stabilization. Because this joint is used so frequently through daily activity, hip pain and stiffness along with popping noises can be a common complaint, especially for adults older than 50.

If your pain is in the hip joint, you usually will feel it most acutely on the inside of your hip or in your groin area. It may be time to schedule an appointment with a doctor if you don’t see any improvement in your hip pain within a week or two of treating it with rest, ice, compression and anti-inflammatory over-the-counter medications.

Should you talk with a doctor about your hip pain? Take our free joint pain assessment or download an orthopedic guide to find out.

Osteoarthritis – The Most Common Cause of Hip Pain For Older Adults

Many people have chronic hip pain and stiffness and presume they are just “getting old” or have “wear and tear” they must endure because of previous injuries. However, sometimes hip pain can be caused by worn or damaged cartilage, stemming from a degenerative joint disease called osteoarthritis. This chronic disease thins the hip joint’s cartilage and narrows the space in which the hip joint moves, causing inflammation, pain, stiffness and swelling. It is the most common cause of hip pain for older adults. Over time, the pain can worsen, eventually limiting the ability to move from sitting to standing. As a result, some sufferers struggle to walk or complete normal daily activities.

Treatment for osteoarthritis usually includes a combination of therapies including muscle strengthening exercises, physical therapy, weight loss, anti-inflammatory medications and supportive devices, such as a walker or cane. If nonsurgical treatments fail to provide relief, joint replacement surgery, such as a total hip replacement, may be a good option to reduce severe discomfort and improve range of motion.

What Happens During a Total Hip Replacement?

During a total hip replacement, an incision is made on the side of the hip. The surgeon detaches the hip muscles, allowing the hip to dislocate the ball from its socket so that damage can be inspected. The surgeon removes the damaged ball bone and replaces it with a metal or ceramic ball anchored by a metal stem inserted directly into the thigh bone. Then, the surgeon prepares the socket to receive a metal implant. Finally, the surgeon inserts a plastic, ceramic or metal spacer between the new ball and socket to help ensure the surfaces smoothly glide together.

Hip replacements have evolved in recent years thanks to new techniques and protocols that help make the procedure less invasive, when possible. Afterwards, patients generally begin walking the same day or next day after surgery. In some cases, for patients who are healthy enough, surgery can be completed as an outpatient procedure, which does not require an overnight stay in the hospital. Your doctor can help you determine if you might be a candidate for an outpatient hip replacement.

What Happens During Partial Hip Replacement?

In a partial hip replacement, the ball of the joint is replaced in the same manner as a total hip replacement but the socket is left intact. This procedure is typically performed when there is only damage to the ball, or neck of the femur, but no damage is present in the socket.

Curious to know more about hip pain treatment options, including surgery? Attend an upcoming seminar or Request an appointment.

Curious to know more about hip pain treatment options, including surgery? Watch an on-demand online seminar or Request an appointment.

Patient results may vary. Consult your physician about the benefits and risks of any surgical procedure or treatment.