Hip pain can be frustrating and limiting, affecting everything from daily activities to athletic performance and even impacting your sleep. Whether you experience discomfort while walking, stiffness after sitting for extended periods, or sharp pain during exercise, it’s essential to understand the root cause and explore treatment options that can help. When you work with the dedicated team of experts at Orthopedic Sports & Medicine Center, we’ll help you find the proper treatment to alleviate your hip pain.
Common Causes of Hip Pain
Hip pain has many potential causes, ranging from injuries to underlying medical conditions. For athletes, hip pain often stems from overuse or sudden injuries sustained during sports. Muscle strains, hip flexor injuries, and labral tears are frequent issues among active individuals, especially those involved in running, jumping, or contact sports.
One of the most common causes of hip pain, particularly in older adults, is arthritis. Osteoarthritis, in particular, leads to the gradual breakdown of cartilage in the hip joint, causing pain, stiffness, and reduced mobility. This condition is often associated with aging, but it can also affect younger people, especially those with a family history of joint issues or who have sustained joint injuries in the past.
In addition to arthritis, hip pain can result from conditions like tendinitis, where inflammation in the tendons around the hip causes discomfort and limited movement. Labral tears, which involve damage to the cartilage surrounding the hip socket, can also lead to significant pain and instability in the joint. These types of injuries are common in athletes but can occur in anyone due to trauma, repetitive stress, or structural abnormalities.
For some individuals, hip pain is related to posture or prolonged sitting. Poor posture can place undue stress on the hip joints and surrounding muscles, leading to discomfort, particularly after long periods of inactivity. Many patients also report hip pain from sitting too long or in positions that misalign the hips, leading to tightness and strain.
How to Overcome Hip Pain
The good news is that there are several effective ways to manage and overcome hip pain, depending on its cause. For many patients, conservative treatments such as physical therapy play a crucial role in recovery. Physical therapy exercises are designed to strengthen the muscles around the hip, improve flexibility, and restore balance. This is especially important for athletes who must safely return to their sport without risking further injury. A well-structured physical therapy program can target the root cause of the pain, whether it’s related to a specific injury or a chronic condition like arthritis.
Expert Hip Pain Treatment in Indiana
Sometimes, more advanced options may be considered when conservative treatments aren’t enough. Corticosteroid injections can help reduce inflammation in and around the hip joint, relieving patients with chronic pain or conditions like bursitis. For patients with severe arthritis or joint damage, surgery may be required to restore function and alleviate pain. Hip replacement surgery, for instance, can be life-changing for those suffering from advanced osteoarthritis.
Whether your hip pain results from a sports injury, arthritis, or poor posture, addressing the problem early and adopting the proper treatment approach can significantly improve your quality of life. At our Orthopedic Sports & Medicine Center, we work closely with patients to develop personalized treatment plans that address the symptoms and the underlying causes of hip pain. Book an appointment online or see us at one of our orthopedic walk-in clinics.
