Evaluation of Hip Pain
The causes of hip pain can be difficult to pinpoint as the hip itself is rather complex and comprised of ligaments, tendons, bones, muscles, joints, blood vessels and bursae. Often the symptoms the patient is having will lead to a solid diagnosis.
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Features
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Hip pain can consist of a dull ache, sharp shooting pain or constant pain with difficulty walking.
Conditions that cause hip pain includes sciatica, which includes compression of a nerve; osteoarthritis of the hip joint itself; pelvis fracture; muscle strain; bursitis, which consists of fluid build-up; and trauma such as falling.
Treatment
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Treatment will depend on what constitutes the pain. Conservative choices include rest, ibuprofen for pain and inflammation, and gentle stretching exercises.
If a muscle in the hip area has been strained, the conservative treatment will be the choice.
If the pain results from a bulging disc that does not respond to conservative treatments, the next step is to explore an operative choice called discectomy. This surgery removes the bulging disc completely so that it no longer compresses the nerve endings.
If osteoarthritis has worn away the cartilage in hip joint, it may be necessary to undergo hip replacement surgery where an artificial hip or prosthesis replaces the diseased hip; this procedure is known as total hip replacement. (See Reference 1)
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Significance
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Only 10 percent of those with a herniated disc ever need surgery.
Nearly 200,000 total hip replacement surgeries are performed in the United States each year because of severe osteoarthris or trauma such as a fracture. This surgery will be performed when daily activities such as walking are greatly hindered.
Considerations
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Hip pain tends to be a common complaint as the hip joint itself is the largest joint to carry weight.
Warning
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A physician should examine the hip to locate the cause should the pain not subside after three days of conservative treatment.
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