Hip Pain: Causes and Treatment

Most people experience years of pain-free movement in their hips, thanks to cushioning cartilage. However, with age and use, the cartilage and other hip structures can wear down or succumb to damage. Conditions that lead to hip pain can produce symptoms ranging from slight discomfort to a lack of mobility.

Hip problems may present as pain in the groin, thigh or knee. The experienced, orthopedic specialists at Beaufort Memorial offer treatments that can ease pain and boost mobility.

Ready to address your hip pain? Request an appointment with an orthopedic hip surgeon or attend our Solving Hip and Knee Pain seminar.

Common Causes of Hip Pain

• Arthritis: Hip-related arthritis pain can stem from osteoarthritis (wear-and-tear arthritis) or rheumatoid arthritis, in which an overactive immune system causes the body to attack cartilage in the hip bone.
• Avascular necrosis: This condition often affects both hip bones and is the result of a disrupted blood supply to the head of the thigh bone (femur). It can be caused by injuries, such as hip fractures or dislocations, corticosteroid use or chronic medical conditions.
• Hip bursitis: Inflammation of fluid-filled sacs around the hip ligaments, muscles and tendons can lead to swelling and joint pain. With bursitis, you may notice a worsening of your hip pain at night.
• Muscle problems: Tight, weak, or imbalanced muscles and tendons in the hips can lead to a variety of issues, such as muscle strains and tendinitis. These problems can lead to pain that worsens with inactivity but improves with activity.

Hip Pain Treatment

Minimally Invasive Hip Replacement

During hip replacement surgery, the damaged ends of two bones are removed and replaced with new surfaces. The upper part of the femur (the long thigh bone) is replaced with an artificial ball. The hip socket in the pelvis is lined with metal and plastic. The new ball glides normally in the artificially lined socket. Orthopedic surgeons at Beaufort Memorial perform minimally invasive hip replacements and Mako Robotic-Arm Assisted Surgeries that spare healthy tissue and muscle and lead to less pain and faster recovery. Techniques include:

• Anterior approach: performed on the front of your hip, allowing your surgeon to avoid damage to nearby muscles and tendons
• Direct superior approach: performed high on the back of the hip so surgeons can prevent cutting the iliotibial band and other important hip muscles
• Posterior approach: performed on the back of your hip, bypassing your primary leg and walking muscles

Nonsurgical Treatments

Alleviating your hip pain may not involve surgery. Our orthopedic hip specialists and sports medicine providers can assess your pain and determine if you might benefit from a more conservative, nonsurgical approach that includes:

• Avoiding activities that worsen symptoms
• Corticosteroid injections, which can reduce inflammation associated with conditions such as hip bursitis
• Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications
• Physical therapy to strengthen surrounding muscles, improve flexibility and correct imbalances that lead to pain