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Aching hips can be, well, a pain. And if common hip pain remedies like ice packs, ibuprofen and muscle cooling gels aren’t cutting it, you’re likely looking for ways to help manage your pain while avoiding hip replacement surgery. Or maybe you just aren’t sure when it’s time to talk with a doctor about your symptoms. Whatever the reason, you’ve come to the right place.
There are many nonsurgical alternatives to hip replacement surgery that can manage hip pain. For some, nonsurgical treatments may help them avoid a hip replacement altogether. For others, alternatives can give them longer-term relief so they can delay a hip replacement until the timing feels right for them. Read on to learn about six options you can try to manage hip pain.
1. Hip strengthening exercises
Exercise is one of the best things you can do for your health, and strengthening the muscles around the hips can help support your joints, improve hip function and reduce hip pain. Try incorporating hip exercises into your routine 3-5 times a week.
Body weight exercises, such as squats and bridges, can build strength in your hips. Incorporating free weights, resistance bands and weight machines into your routine can add more resistance and help you build your hip muscles.
Cardiovascular exercises can also improve your overall health and help manage hip pain. Low-impact exercises such as walking, swimming, strength training and yoga don’t put much pressure on the joints. During low-impact exercises, you’ll typically have at least one foot on the ground or use water or other equipment for support. If the exercise includes jumping or running, it’s not low impact.
Of course, the best type of exercise is one that you enjoy and will do consistently. If you’re not sure where to begin, learn more about how to get started with an exercise routine.
2. Physical therapy to improve hip function
If exercising on your own hasn’t helped reduce hip discomfort, you’re concerned about making your hip pain worse with movement or you want help with hip exercises, physical therapy may be a good option for you. Physical therapy for hip pain uses a combination of exercise, hands-on care and education to improve your strength and hip function.
In many cases, physical therapy is the best first course of treatment for hip pain. It can help you find lasting relief from joint pain, stiffness and instability. Plus, it’s often a cost-effective option as many insurance plans cover this type of care. At TRIA, you can make a physical therapy appointment without a referral, so you don’t need to spend time or money on other doctor visits before getting the help you need.
3. Lifestyle modifications for hip pain
There are a number of other small lifestyle changes you can make that can add up to big relief from hip pain. Try taking a break from sitting to walk around every hour, stretching your hips every day and supporting your lumbar while you sit. Start by taking several small breaks throughout the day to stand and take a short walk, like walking to the bathroom or to grab a coffee.
Another lifestyle change that can have a big impact on managing uncomfortable hip symptoms is losing weight. Each pound of body weight puts 3-4 pounds of force on the joints, and losing weight can help reduce pressure on your hips. If you’re overweight, losing even 10% of your body weight can make a big improvement on your health.
Adjusting your diet can also help manage hip pain. Discomfort in your joints can sometimes be caused by inflammation. Eating an anti-inflammatory diet full of fruits, vegetables, lean proteins and whole grains, and staying hydrated may help your hips feel better.
4. Walking aids can support the hips
Walking aids, including canes, walkers and rollators can take pressure off your hips and provide additional stability while you move around. They can be a good option to help you move more if you’re struggling with moderate hip pain and unsteadiness.
If you’re walking with a cane, use it on whichever side of the body feels most comfortable for you to reduce the strain on your hips while you walk. For issues with imbalance or stiffness that make walking feel unsteady, a walker or rollator (a walker with wheels) might be a better choice. Walking aids for hip pain can be purchased at pharmacies and medical supply stores.
5. Managing hip pain with medications
If you’ve been struggling with hip pain for a while, you’ve probably already tried over-the-counter pain medication. While medicines like ibuprofen can help manage short-term pain, chronic hip pain often requires prescription medicines.
Common types of medications for chronic hip pain include prescription-strength nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and analgesics. As the name suggests, NSAIDs are effective in reducing inflammation in the body, which is often the cause of joint pain and swelling. Analgesics is a general term that refers to all medicines that manage pain. If NSAIDs aren’t the best type of medication for your joint pain or if you can’t take them, a doctor can prescribe a different type of medicine to offer relief.
How often you need to take medication for joint pain will depend on your symptoms and your condition. Your doctor will talk with you about the medicines they recommend, how long to take them, how much to take and answer any other questions you have during your appointment.
If your hip pain is caused by a condition such as arthritis, your doctor may prescribe medication that treats the overall condition in order to help you feel better. Prescription medications are often more effective at managing uncomfortable symptoms than over-the-counter medications. A doctor will talk with you about your hip pain and prescribe the medicine that is most likely to provide relief.
6. Joint injections for hip pain relief
Joint injections can offer longer-lasting relief from hip pain than oral medications. Injections are minimally invasive and can be used to manage hip pain, inflammation and other uncomfortable symptoms.
During your hip joint injection appointment, an orthopedic specialist will give you a shot in the hip. Once the medicine is injected, you’ll typically feel better for a few weeks to a few months depending on the type of injection and your condition. There are several types of hip injections, and a doctor will prescribe the one that works best for you. Common types of injections for hip pain include:
Corticosteroids – Also called cortisone injections, corticosteroids are a type of anti-inflammatory medicine that is used to reduce pain and swelling caused by osteoarthritis and other joint conditions. It can take a few days for people to feel the full effects of a corticosteroid injection, but it can offer pain relief for 3-6 months.
Hyaluronic acid – The body naturally makes hyaluronic acid and uses it to lubricate your joints. It acts as a shock absorber and protects the joints. Hyaluronic injections can boost the supply in your hips and give them a little extra cushion. In most cases, multiple injections of hyaluronic acid are needed before people feel the full effects of this treatment.
Orthobiologic treatments – TRIA is at the forefront of orthobiologics, which are minimally invasive treatment options that use natural, tissue-derived products to help restore function and help the body heal more quickly. There are several types of orthobiologics treatments that may help manage joint pain, including platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections.
Talk to your doctor to find out if these hip replacement alternatives are right for you
With so many different treatment options available for hip pain, you don’t need to keep suffering through it. Instead of wincing every time you get out of the car or sitting on the sidelines while you watch your grandkids play, talk with an orthopedic doctor.
At TRIA, we start with evidence-based, nonsurgical treatments that can help relieve joint pain. We’ll create a personalized treatment program based on your symptoms, lifestyle and recovery goals. Our orthopedic specialists will guide you toward the types of treatments that will work best for your hip.
