Hip Pain Specialist

What is hip pain?

Hip pain refers to any stiffness, aching, or discomfort that affects one or both of your hip joints.  It can occur due to a sports or work injury or as a result of problems with the joint itself. In some cases, hip pain is caused by a disease like osteoarthritis or cancer.

When should I see a pain specialist about hip pain?

Hip pain isn’t always something to worry about. Often, it responds to at-home treatments like rest, ice, or light stretching. If your symptoms last for more than a few days, or they prevent you from doing regular activities like work or exercise, make an appointment with Dr. Rich. That’s especially true if your pain occurs alongside swelling, redness, or tenderness.

How is hip pain diagnosed?

Dr. Rich diagnosis hip pain by reviewing your medical history and asking about your symptoms, including:

• When did the pain start?
• Is the pain worse in the morning or at night?
• Does the pain affect your ability to walk?
• Do any positions make the pain worse?

Next, he has you stand up and walk around the exam room to observe your joint in motion. 

If Dr. Rich suspects your symptoms are due to arthritis, he also orders fluid and imaging tests. Fluid tests analyze samples of your blood, urine, and joint fluid, while diagnostic imaging provides detailed photos of your bones, joints, and soft tissues.

How is hip pain treated?

At aCELLerated Interventional Orthopedics, Dr. Rich treats hip pain with minimally invasive measures of care. After determining the source of your pain, he might recommend:

• Radiofrequency ablation
• Joint injections
• Behavior modification
• Stretching
• Strengthening exercises
• Physical therapy

If your pain doesn’t respond to minimally invasive treatments, surgical intervention might be necessary, but only as a last resort.

What is the outlook for hip pain?

Hip pain can make it difficult to perform daily tasks, but with early intervention and treatment, it’s possible to manage. Acute hip pain typically resolves within a few weeks or months. Chronic pain that’s caused by arthritis or other underlying issues, on the other hand, may require long-term care. 

To learn more about the treatment options for hip pain, make an appointment at aCELLerated Interventional Orthopedics by calling the nearest office or scheduling online today.