Hip Pain

Hip Pain Overview

The ball and socket hip joint is important because it stabilizes and moves the trunk or core. An accident, injury or medical condition can cause hip pain that makes performing everyday movements and activities difficult. If your pain is severe, it may require urgent orthopedic hip surgery. An appointment with a Carolina Orthopaedic and Neurosurgical Associates (CONA) hip specialist should be made if a serious accident or injury took place. Additionally, a CONA specialist should be seen if even non-accident/noninjury-related pain in your hip does not go away on its own.

Common Treatments:

Nonsurgical treatments option treat the majority of cases of pain in the hip. After a thorough evaluation, a CONA hip specialist may recommend:

• Activity modification
• Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications
• Physical therapy
• Rest and ice

Surgery may be recommended to treat severe pain that does not respond to nonsurgical treatment. Hip arthroscopy is a minimally invasive surgical treatment option. Partial or total hip replacement provides a new, functional hip joint that does not cause pain.

Diagnosis:

An accurate diagnosis is the first step toward pain relief. CONA hip specialists:

• Obtain a medical history review, including previous and current medical conditions and injuries
• Perform a complete hip examination, including hip flexibility and strength tests
• Order and analyze medical imaging studies (multiple view x-rays and possibly an MRI and/or CT scan.
• The cause of pain is found and a customized treatment plan is prescribed.

**Women who have painful hips and are over the age of 50 are encouraged to make an appointment with a CONA hip specialist as soon as possible to find out if osteoporosis is the cause.**