Hip Pain

Our board-certified orthopedic surgeons at Baylor St. Luke’s Medical Group in Spring offer the full range of treatments for hip pain, from physical therapy to joint replacement.

Common Causes of Hip Pain

Hip pain can be caused by injuries, arthritis, mechanical problems, and other conditions. Among the most common are:

• Bursitis
• Hip fractures, which become more common with age
• Tendonitis 
• Osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis
• Muscle or tendon strain
• Labral tear
• Pinched nerves
• Cancer

 

Hip Pain Treatments

Initial treatments offered for hip pain include over-the-counter pain relievers such as acetaminophen (Tylenol), ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB), and naproxen sodium (Aleve) to reduce inflammation. 

Recommended treatments to try at home include heat and ice therapy. Wrapping with cold packs or frozen vegetables as well as taking a warm bath or shower can help relieve pain. Gentle stretching may also help alleviate discomfort in the case of a pinched nerve or strain.

If pain persists, your doctor or physical therapist may suggest standard physical therapy treatments or hydrotherapy. Depending on the cause of your hip pain, your physician may also recommend medications to treat underlying conditions that cause weak bones or bone loss. Examples include:

• Disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs), like Trexall and Plaquenil, that treat rheumatoid arthritis
• Corticosteroids, such as prednisone and cortisone, that reduce inflammation and suppress the immune response
• Bisphosphonates, like alendronate, risedronate, ibandronate, and zoledronic acid, that strengthen bones weakened by osteoporosis and prevent pain and further damage

 

Our Advanced Procedures for Hip Pain

Severe hip pain that does not respond to non-invasive care can be treated by advanced surgical treatments. Our highly skilled orthopedic surgeons perform the following procedures:

• Anterior Hip Replacement: a minimally invasive hip surgery to replace the hip joint without cutting through any muscles or tendons
• Total Hip Replacement: a surgical procedure in which the damaged cartilage and bone are removed from the hip joint and replaced with artificial components
• Revision Total Hip Replacement: a procedure that replaces all or part of the previous implant with a new artificial hip joint
• Complex Total Hip Replacement: a total hip replacement procedure in which intraoperative technical difficulties and complications are anticipated
• Minimally Invasive Total Hip Replacement: a surgical procedure performed through one or two small incisions rather than the single long incision of 10-12 inches 

 

Contact our team today to learn about your treatment options.