Dr. M.J. Bazos,
Patient Handout
HIP
PAIN
About Your
Diagnosis
The hip is made up of the hip
bone (greater trochanter) and the surrounding structures, such as the muscles,
tendons, and ligaments. Hip pain can be caused by an injury, a fracture, a
tumor, or a disease that affects the hip joint, such as osteoarthritis,
rheumatoid arthritis, or ankylosing spondylitis. Hip pain also may be caused by
tendinitis (inflammation of a tendon around the joint capsule) or bursitis
(inflammation of the thin, fluid-filled sac that protects the joint). Problems
in the sacroiliac joints or low back can cause pain in the hip area. A physician
diagnoses hip pain by taking a medical history, performing a physical
examination, and possibly by taking a radiograph (x-ray) of the joint. Your
doctor may order blood tests to determine whether your hip pain is caused by any
diseases that may cause similar symptoms. Computed tomography (CT), magnetic
resonance imaging (MRI), or a bone scan may be performed if the doctor needs a
clearer picture of the bones and surrounding
structures.
Living With Your
Diagnosis
Hip pain may cause difficulty
dressing, standing, bending, walking, and going up or down steps. The pain may
keep you awake at night. If it becomes severe, it may be necessary to use a cane
to decrease the hip
pain.
Treatment
Management
of hip pain depends on the cause of the pain. If the pain is due to
osteoarthritis, your doctor may prescribe acetaminophen or a nonsteroidal
anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID). If your hip pain is caused by bursitis or
tendinitis, the doctor may prescribe an NSAID, recommend physical therapy, or do
both. Physical therapy usually consists of application of deep heat or
ultrasound or both. If bursitis is severe, your physician may inject a
steroid-containing medication into the bursa. This medication is a powerful
anti-inflammatory agent. All medications can cause side effects. Acetaminophen
may cause kidney or liver problems. The NSAIDs may cause stomach upset,
diarrhea, constipation, ulcers, headache, dizziness,
difficulty
hearing, or a rash. There are
few side effects of cortisone injection because most of the medicine stays in
the hip area, although bleeding or bruising
may
occur after the
injection.
The
DOs
• Take your medications as
prescribed.
• Call your doctor if you
are experiencing side effects from
medications
• Ask your doctor which
over-the-counter pain medications you may take with your prescription
medications.
• Perform prescribed hip
exercises daily.
The
DON’Ts
• Do not wait for a
possible medication side effect to go away on its
own.
• Do not continue an exercise
program that causes pain. Pain that continues after exercise usually means the
exercise has to be modified for
you.
• Do not cross your
legs—this can aggravate your hip
pain.
When to Call Your
Doctor
• If you experience side
effects that you believe may be due to your
medications.
• If medication and
other treatments are not helping the
pain.
• If you believe you need a
referral to a physical therapist for exercise.