When Does Hip Pain Require Medical Attention?

Your body is a powerful biological machine equipped with complex systems that help it move and function. One of the most important facets of your body is its many joints.

Large and small, your joints give your body the flexibility it needs to leap over a puddle and the fine dexterity it takes to paint a picture. Alas, human bodies don’t last forever, and your joints are usually among the first parts to give out. 

Genetics, injuries, and degenerative conditions alike plague your joints and cause them to break down before they should. Because your hips are one of the larger joints in your body and bear a great deal of your body weight and movements, we see many patients with hip pain. 

But do you always need to see a doctor when your hip hurts? Here, our team at OrthoNOW Aventura in North Miami Beach, Florida, answers this question and more. 

When to see us for hip pain

A good rule of thumb to consider is how severe your pain is and how long you’ve had symptoms. 

Minor pain that doesn’t interfere with your daily routine, goes away in a few days, and responds to conservative methods (rest, ice and heat, and over-the-counter pain medication) isn’t usually cause for concern. 

We want to see you if your hip pain is so severe that you can’t bear weight or get through your day or if you’ve had symptoms for more than a few days with no relief. 

These are telltale signs of an underlying issue or injury, such as:

• Fracture
• Dislocation
• Femoroacetabular impingement (FAI)
• Bursitis
• Osteoarthritis
• Osteonecrosis

If your hip pain is accompanied by sudden swelling, a fever, or a complete inability to lift your leg, you should head to the emergency room or urgent care right away. Our practice operates on a walk-in basis, so there’s no need to schedule an appointment. 

What we can do for you

When you present with persistent hip pain, we begin with extensive diagnostic testing. Our process involves discussing your medical history and current symptoms in detail. We also use imaging tests such as digital X-rays to get a closer look at what’s going on inside your hip.

Once we understand exactly where your hip pain is coming from, we create a treatment plan to relieve your symptoms and address the underlying cause. Depending on your needs, you may benefit from:

• Medication
• Casting, splinting, or bracing
• Vitamin injections or supplement
• Physical therapy
• Custom orthotics
• Joint injections
• Walking aids

In some cases of severe hip pain, surgery may be your best option for pain relief. If you need surgery, we connect you with an expert orthopedic surgeon. 

How to avoid hip pain in the future

We can’t guarantee that hip pain won’t rear its ugly head again, but we can give some pointers that can help keep it at bay for as long as possible. 

If you live an active lifestyle, make sure you:

• Stop at the first sign of pain
• Prioritize rest and recovery
• Stretch and warm up 
• Always wear protective equipment
• Focus on strength training to support your joints

Even if you’re not an avid athlete, you’re still at risk for hip pain. We recommend that everyone should:

• Be proactive to avoid falls by clearing clutter from your home and workspaces
• Eat a healthy, anti-inflammatory diet
• Move regularly
• Wear comfortable, supportive shoes
• Use walking aids if you’re prone to falls

Hip pain can stop you in your tracks. And when it does, we’re here to help. If you have hip pain that needs medical attention, don’t hesitate to stop in, call our office at 305-343-1365, or use our online check-in.