When to See a Doctor for Hip Pain

It’s common to experience occasional pain in your hip joint, especially after exercise. However, if your pain is more persistent and accompanied by other symptoms, failing to address it with your doctor could lead to further complications, and make treatment more difficult down the road.

5 Signs You Should See a Specialist for Your Hip Pain

To prevent long-term damage and maintain an active lifestyle, here are 5 signs it’s time to see an orthopedic specialist for your hip pain.

• Persistent Pain – Hip pain that lingers for weeks or hurts even after trying rest, ice and over-the-counter pain medicine or physical therapy.
• Limited Mobility – Trouble walking, climbing stairs, bending or rotating your leg is a common sign of underlying hip problems.
• Weakness or Limping – Weakness in your leg, a noticeable limp or feeling unsteady or wobbly on your feet.
• Nighttime Discomfort – Hip pain that keeps you up at night, or disrupts your sleep – a healthy hip doesn’t prevent you from getting a good night’s rest.
• Clicking or Popping – Frequent popping, clicking or the feeling of something catching in your hip joint can indicate a problem with the cartilage or tendons.

In addition to the above, if your hip pain follows a severe fall, or if you notice a visible deformity, sudden swelling, an inability to bear weight or move your leg, or if you experience fever, chills or redness, seek emergency care immediately to rule out a possible infection, fracture or nerve damage.

What Can an Orthopedic Specialist Do for Your Hip Pain?

The hip specialists at Orthopaedic & Spine Center in Newport News, VA can diagnose the cause of your pain and recommend the best course of treatment. Based on the reason for your hip pain and severity, treatment may involve the following:

• Physical Therapy – Exercises to strengthen the muscles around your hip joint and improve stability and flexibility.
• Lifestyle Modifications – Weight loss, activity modification, and proper stretching techniques to manage hip pain.
• Medication – Pain relievers, anti-inflammatory drugs, or injections to reduce pain and inflammation in the hip joint.
• Hip Arthroscopy – Minimally invasive hip procedures to clear out loose bone chips, trim damaged cartilage, and fix torn tissue without large open cuts.
• Hip Replacement Surgery – A total hip replacement to restore function and alleviate pain in severe cases.

Treatment for Hip Pain in Newport News, VA

You don’t have to live with hip pain. In fact, the earlier you address your hip pain, the better your chances are for a full recovery and a return to your active lifestyle. To request an appointment with our hip specialists in Newport News, VA, use our online scheduling tool, or call Orthopaedic & Spine Center at 757-596-1900.