Non Surgical Treatment Options for Hip Pain
Before deciding on hip surgery, your physician may try several non-surgical, conservative measures to relieve the pain and inflammation in your hip.
Lifestyle Modification
The first alternative to hip replacement involves such lifestyle modification
measures as weight loss, avoiding activities involving long periods of standing, walking
or impact activity (jogging, basketball, skiiing, etc.) and the use
of a cane to decrease the stress on the painful hip.
Exercise and Physical Therapy
Exercise and physical therapy may be prescribed to improve the strength
and flexibility of your hip and other lower extremity muscles. Your exercise
program may include riding a stationary bike, light weight training and
flexibility exercises. An aquatic therapy program is especially effective
for the treatment of arthritis since it allows mild resistance while removing
weight bearing stresses. It is very important to consult with your physician
prior to begining any exercise program.
Anti-inflammatory Medications
Arthritis pain is primarily caused by inflammation in the hip joint. Reducing
the inflammation of the tissue in the hip can provide temporary relief from
pain and may delay hip replacement surgery.
Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs) may be prescribed to decrease the inflammation associated with arthritis. Extra strength acetaminophen (Tylenol) may also be effective in relieving arthitis pain.
In a small number of cases, the doctor may prescribe corticosteroids, such as prednisone or cortisone, if NSAIDs are not effective. However, due to the higher rate of side effects associated with corticosteriods, a physician must closely monitor their use.
Glucosamine/Chondroitin
Two dietary supplements, Glucosamine and Chondroitin (commonly available
in a combined tablet), may decrease the symptoms of hip arthritis. Glucosamine
and Chondroitin sulfate are both naturally occurring molecules, and issues
associated with both remain under active research. However, it appears that
may people taking these nutrition supplements on a regular basis note a
decrease in their arthritis symptoms. There exist a number of non-surgical
alternatives to total hip replacement surgery. Such measures as lifestyle
modification, exercise and physical therapy, and medication should be implemented
before deciding on surgery. If all of these measures have been exhausted
and your orthopedist determines that you are a candidate for, total hip
replacement surgery can be very successful in decreasing pain and greatly
improving function.
Please remember the information on this site is for educational purposes only and should not be used to make a decision on a condition or a procedure. All decisions should be made in conjunction with your surgeon and your primary care provider.
