Hip pain can be experienced in everyday life for a number of reasons, but what happens when pain is consistent or excruciating? It may be time to get it looked at and possibly receive surgical treatment.
While everyone experiences pain differently, there are common pain triggers or symptoms experienced by most people, especially with hip pain. While surgical intervention is often seen as extreme, hip replacement surgery isn’t as unusual as one may think. In fact, over 300,000 Americans undergo hip replacement surgery every year and about 90% of patients feel better shortly after surgery.
How can you tell if you might be a good candidate for this potential intervention? Here are some signs that suggest you may need your hip looked at and possibly have surgery recommended.
Pain Limits Regular Activity. It’s never a good thing for pain to affect your daily routine. If you’re experiencing pain while climbing stairs, or standing and sitting become difficult, you may want to contact your doctor. You may also notice that you’ve been moving a lot slower, especially with basic movements like walking.
Physical Activity is Limited. Active people, or those who are looking to get into a regular exercise routine, could find trouble doing so with hip pain. If walking for long distances, running, or biking cannot be done comfortably, consult your doctor for advice. Even after you’ve received treatment or surgery, you may not be able to move around as well or participate in as many high-impact activities.
Pain Keeps you Awake at Night. Unfortunately, certain degrees of pain can prevent you from being comfortable enough to get a good night’s sleep. If you’re experiencing pain in one hip, try sleeping on your back or on the side of your good hip. If you are unable to get comfortable while sleeping and the pain is consistent, even when lying motionless in bed, schedule an appointment with your doctor as soon as you can.
Pain Worsens with Each Passing Day. Maybe you’ve tried ice and heat. You may have attempted certain stretches or avoided sleeping on your hurting hip. If simple treatments haven’t helped or the pain level has increased over time, your hip will need to be examined by a doctor to determine proper diagnosis. Sometimes, hip pain will gradually disappear and you will notice your body healing itself over time. If this is the case, you will most likely not need surgery, but it’s a good idea to check with your doctor just to be sure.
If pain is a constant issue and there isn’t a simple solution, your orthopaedic doctor is the person to visit. And our orthopaedic surgeons at Advanced Surgical Hospital are happy to help you. For more information on causes of hip pain, surgery, relief, or other general questions, contact us today.
