HIP PAIN
The hip joint is the second largest joint in your body. It is a durable ball and socket joint. The ball and socket are both covered by cartilage. Cartilage is a very smooth surface that lets the joint glide easily and provides some cushioning for your joint. A lifetime of normal activity can cause some wear of this cartilage. Genetics significantly affect who develops hip arthritis as well. The muscles and tendons around your hip joint can become overused at times, causing hip pain.
Hip pain is a common complaint and can be caused by a variety of different problems and conditions.
It is important to know that hip pain can be felt in different areas around the hip joint, depending on the diagnosis or condition. Common areas of hip pain include the groin, front pocket, lateral (side of hip), thigh, and buttock. Sometimes, pain from other areas of your body, like pain from a bulging disk in the spine or hernia in the groin can cause hip pain.
Hip Pain from Wear on Your Joint
Hips naturally wear down over time. This natural degeneration can be compounded by factors such as past injuries, repetitive stress, or even genetics, making every step a reminder of the discomfort.
This discomfort can limit your ability to move freely, affecting not just your mobility but also your overall quality of life. Everyday activities like walking, climbing stairs, or even sitting for prolonged periods can become challenging, and the pain may start to interfere with your favorite hobbies, work, or time with loved ones.
The Connection Between Arthritis and Wear on Your Joint
Arthritis comes in many forms. The most common kind of arthritis is osteoarthritis, which is the name of the condition for joints that have suffered from wear and have dissipating cartilage. Arthritis can be diagnosed by a doctor analyzing an X-ray of your joint or joints that indicates that your cartilage is beginning to deteriorate in spots.
Arthritis can be inherited but also has a high risk of developing if you are overweight or have suffered an injury.
Hip Pain from Avascular Necrosis
Hip avascular necrosis (AVN) is a condition that occurs when the blood supply to the hip joint is disrupted, causing the bone tissue to weaken and deteriorate over time. This lack of blood flow can lead to the gradual breakdown of the bone, ultimately resulting in pain, stiffness, and a loss of mobility. Without the essential nutrients that blood provides, the bone in the hip joint starts to die, leading to the collapse of the joint surface and further damage.
Hip pain caused by AVN often starts as a mild ache or discomfort in the groin, thigh, or buttocks, but it can progress to debilitating pain. While AVN can affect anyone, certain factors like trauma, long-term steroid use, excessive alcohol consumption, or medical conditions such as lupus, HIV, sickle-cell disease, and others can increase the risk.
Hip Pain from Trauma
Dr. Joseph Nelson treats hips that are damaged from a variety of things, whether that be aging and wear and tear, or a hip that has been traumatized from a fall or accident. These occurrences can permanently damage your hip, no matter how much you try to rest and recover afterward. Trauma can lead to arthritis in your hip and wear down of cartilage in the area.
Hip Pain Solutions
Dr. Nelson understands just how devastating constant hip pain can be. He is dedicated to returning your health and life with his orthopedic solutions.
NON-OPERATIVE TREATMENTS
Dr. Nelson highly values the importance of treatments that don’t require surgery, such as:
Hip Replacement
For those struggling with chronic hip pain that hasn’t improved with other treatments, hip replacement can be a highly effective solution.
The hip will be replaced with a combination of different parts that act as a ball and socket, just like your natural hip. These materials are durable and mimic your bone so that your body will accept your new joint.
Dr. Nelson specializes in the anterior hip replacement technique, a minimally invasive approach that can make the recovery process smoother and less painful. By accessing the hip joint from the front, Dr. Nelson can work between muscles without cutting through them, which means less trauma to the surrounding tissues. This technique often results in a quicker recovery, reduced pain, and a faster return to the activities you love.
Can Damage to Your Hip Cause Knee Pain?
Yes, a damaged hip or persistent hip pain can indeed cause knee pain. This is because the joints in your lower body are all connected and work together to support your movement. When your hip is injured or in pain, it can change the way you walk, stand, or distribute your weight, which in turn puts extra stress on the knee joint. Over time, this added strain can lead to knee pain, discomfort, or even further injury.
The body often tries to compensate for pain in one area by shifting the workload to another, but this can create an imbalance that affects your overall mobility. Addressing hip and knee pain early can prevent this chain reaction, helping to protect your joints can keep you moving comfortably.
Dr. Nelson can help you address the root cause of your pain, whether that be a condition with your knee or with your hip.
Start Your Journey to Hip Pain Relief
Dr. Nelson offers compassionate care that seeks to address the root of your hip pain, whether that be wear and tear, a genetic issue, or anything in between. Fill out our consultation form to get started with treatment in the Gilbert, Arizona, region and beyond.