Hip Pain Doctors NJ | Hip Treatment Specialists New Jersey

Types of Hip Pain

Hip pain can be caused by a variety of conditions, including arthritis, fractures, dislocations, sprains, hernias, and sciatica. In general, hip pain falls into one of three categories:

Hip flexor pain. This pain is most commonly felt on the outside of your hip, along your upper thigh, or along your buttocks. These symptoms point to a soft tissue injury or condition, such as a problem with your muscles, ligaments, or tendons. This type of discomfort can be caused by Hip injuries, such as hip tendonitis
Hip joint pain. This type of pain is usually more intense. It primarily affects the inside of your hip and the area around your groin. The pain is caused by a band of cartilage-like tissue that rims the outer portion of your hip socket, which deteriorates as a result of aging and arthritis. It is known as the hip labrum because it supports and deepens the socket. A labral tear is caused by an injury or overuse.
Referred hip pain. When other areas of your body are compromised, the paths of your body’s nerves can cause pain. Hip pain, which your doctor would diagnose as referred pain, can result from diseases such as cancer or diabetes, as well as conditions such as low back pain, a pinched nerve or a herniated disc in your spine.

Symptoms of Hip Pain

Hip pain may appear in several less severe ways, including:

As a dull ache that strengthens or burns with movement or pressure;
The discomfort eases with certain positions, like standing, but becomes worse in others, like lying on your side;
Tightness in muscles that is aggravated by excessive activity or repetitive motions but relieved through gentle exercise like walking.

If rest, over-the-counter pain relievers, and ice or heat don’t help your hip pain, visit our pain specialists at Redefine Healthcare for treatment. A list of problems could be causing your hip pain, so be as open and honest with your doctor as possible regarding your symptoms. Seek emergency medical care if the pain becomes severe and is accompanied by swelling, fever, chills, joint deformity, or an inability to stand or move your leg.

What Are the Most Common Causes of Hip Pain?

Hip pain is commonly caused by developmental conditions, injuries, infections, or chronic illnesses. The following are the most common causes of hip disorders:

Osteoarthritis;
Perthes disease;
Developmental dysplasia;
Irritable hip syndrome;
Soft tissue pain and referred pain;
Slipped capital femoral epiphysis.

Hip Osteoarthritis Treatment in NJ

Diagnosis of Hip Pain

When you visit Redefine Healthcare’s hip pain expert, your doctor will perform a thorough physical examination of your hip and surrounding tissues. You’ll be asked a series of questions about the nature and duration of your pain, as well as what home remedies you’ve tried. If your doctor suspects a hip injury or structural problem, they may order additional testing, such as:

Blood or urine tests

X-rays

CT scans

MRI scans

Ultrasounds

Joint fluid tests

Your doctor will develop an appropriate treatment plan and discuss it with you based on the outcomes of the diagnostic process.

Hip Pain Treatment

The good news is that most hip pain treatments combine self-care, physical therapy, and medication. Surgery is almost never needed. Dr. Eric D. Freeman will start with conservative treatments. Treatment consists of the following steps:

Activity modification. Stop doing some things to give your body time to heal. Golf, tennis, contact sports, and possibly even stair climbing should be avoided until your hip pain subsides. Abstention from specific activities is especially helpful for hip flexor pain treatment.

Assistive devices. Even young people with repetitive motion injuries to their hips may require assistive walking devices such as canes, crutches, or walkers in the short term.

R.I.C.E. Most athletes are familiar with the rest, ice, compression, and elevation method of healing. Use this hip pain treatment until you can see your doctor for a diagnosis.

Physical therapy. To provide the best support for compromised muscles or joints, PT teaches you optimal movement and lifting techniques, strengthening and stretching exercises, and administers therapeutic massage and manipulation.

Medication. Your doctor may advise you to take the medication topically, orally, or by injection. Over-the-counter pain drugs can help with milder and temporary pain. More severe conditions, such as fractures or infections, may need the use of prescription opioids for the short term. Intravenous medications for rheumatoid arthritis or infections also prove effective.

Surgical intervention. Surgery represents the last resort in all but the most severe cases. Fractures and osteoarthritic joint deterioration require open hip surgery to implant screws or replace the entire hip joint. Your doctor will repair hip labral tears with arthroscopy, a surgical technique that involves inserting surgical cameras and tools through small incisions.

Frequently Asked Questions

How Do I Know if My Hip Pain Is Serious?

Generally, you should seek a pain relief specialist’s assistance if:

A joint appears to be deformed;
You are unable to move your leg or hip;
You are unable to bear weight on the affected hip;
You have severe hip pain;
You experience sudden swelling;
You notice any signs of infection, including fever, chills, and redness.

How to Relieve Hip Pain?

When deciding on a hip pain treatment plan, we must consider a number of things. First and foremost, the root cause of the problem must be identified. Second, the severity of the condition must be evaluated as well. For example, if your pain is caused by a muscle strain, osteoarthritis, or tendonitis, you may find relief with over-the-counter pain medications. Acetaminophen or a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug such as naproxen or ibuprofen are examples. Your best chance would be to see a pain management doctor.

Can I Prevent Hip Pain?

Take a proactive approach to prevent hip overuse and associated injuries. You could use the following self-care preventative measures:

Maintain a healthy body weight
Practice proper posture while sitting and standing
Start exercising to maintain hip mobility
Warm-up and cool down before and after exercising
Develop an ergonomic workplace with a proper table/desk height and adjustable chair
Wear properly fitting and comfortable shoes
Eat a healthy diet full of vitamin C, collagen, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant-rich foods
Use walking assistance devices such as walkers, crutches, or canes, if needed
Avoid ignoring minor injuries

How Long Does Hip Pain Last?

Hip pain may be acute (short-term) or chronic (long-lasting). Mild strains typically heal in 2 to 3 weeks, while more serious conditions can take up to 4 months.