Hip pain can interfere with your ability to move comfortably and perform everyday tasks, causing frustration and reducing your quality of life. Whether it’s a dull ache or severe pain limiting your mobility, addressing the issue early can help prevent further complications.
At Interventional Pain & Spine Center, located in Wexford, PA, our team is dedicated to identifying the underlying causes of hip pain and providing effective, personalized treatment plans. Led by Dr. Mohammad Ali, a triple board-certified specialist in pain management, neurology, and neurophysiology, we focus on solutions to help you regain mobility and improve your quality of life.
If your hip hurts and is making it hard to stay active, keep reading to explore the common causes of hip pain, treatment options, and why seeking professional care is crucial.
Common Causes of Hip Pain
Hip pain causes can range from conditions involving the bones and joints, such as arthritis, to injuries affecting the surrounding muscles and soft tissues. Here are some of the most common culprits behind hip discomfort:
1. Osteoarthritis
One of the leading causes of hip joint pain, hip osteoarthritis is a degenerative condition where the protective cartilage within the joint wears away. This results in stiffness, swelling, and pain that worsens over time.
2. Hip Bursitis
Inflammation of the bursa, a fluid-filled sac near the hip joint, can lead to greater trochanteric bursitis, causing pain on the outside of the hip or outer buttock, especially when lying down or moving.
3. Tendinitis
Overuse of muscles around the hip joint can result in tendinitis, where inflammation causes discomfort during repetitive movements.
4. Hip Labral Tear
A labral tear occurs when the cartilage surrounding the hip socket is damaged. This condition often causes pain, clicking, or an unstable feeling in the joint.
5. Rheumatoid Arthritis and Autoimmune Disorders
Conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis can cause chronic joint inflammation, leading to swelling, stiffness, and hip pain relief that’s hard to achieve without medical intervention.
6. Sports Injuries and Stress Fractures
High-impact activities or accidents can cause hip injuries, including stress fractures of the thigh bone. These often lead to ongoing discomfort if untreated.
Other conditions, such as hip osteonecrosis (lack of blood flow to the bones) or infections like septic arthritis, can also be contributors.
When Should You Seek Help for Hip Pain?
While minor aches are common after physical activity or strain, certain symptoms require medical attention, including:
- Persistent pain that worsens when walking or bending
- Swelling, stiffness, or reduced range of motion
- Difficulty walking or standing
- A noticeable popping noise in the joint
- Signs of a hip fracture, such as severe pain after a fall
If hip pain interferes with daily activity, it’s time to consult a hip pain specialist near you, especially if symptoms don’t resolve with at-home treatments like the RICE method (rest, ice, compression, elevation). Early diagnosis ensures effective care while preventing further damage.
Treatment Options for Hip Pain
At Interventional Pain & Spine Center, we offer a range of hip pain treatments, tailored to address the unique needs of each patient. Our solutions include both conservative approaches and advanced interventions for lasting relief.
Conservative Treatments
Conservative treatments are non-invasive methods that can help alleviate hip pain. These include:
- Physical Therapy: Working with a physical therapist can significantly improve hip strength, flexibility, and stability. Customized hip pain exercises enhance muscle support, increase blood flow, and reduce stiffness in the joint and surrounding tissues.
- Medication Management: For mild to moderate hip pain, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) may help relieve inflammation and discomfort. At our clinic, medications are used judiciously and always as part of a broader treatment strategy to avoid dependency and side effects.
- Lifestyle Modifications: Simple changes such as weight management, posture correction, and incorporating low-impact aerobic activity into your routine can help reduce strain on the hip joint and prevent symptom flare-ups.
- At-Home Care: The RICE method—rest, ice, compression, and elevation—can offer short-term relief for inflamed or irritated tissues. Heat therapy may also help relax tight muscles and improve circulation.
Advanced Interventions
For patients whose pain persists despite conservative care, we specialize in minimally invasive procedures that aim to provide relief with minimal disruption. These include:
- Joint and Bursa Injections: Corticosteroid or anesthetic injections can provide targeted relief by reducing inflammation in the hip joint or bursae. These are especially effective for conditions like osteoarthritis and greater trochanteric bursitis.
- Trigger Point Injections: For patients experiencing muscular tightness or radiating pain from knots in the surrounding hip and gluteal muscles, trigger point injections can alleviate pressure and restore mobility.
- Viscosupplementation (Hyaluronic Acid) Injections: Though more commonly used for knees, hyaluronic acid injections may be considered in select cases of hip osteoarthritis to help lubricate the joint and improve function.
- Nerve Blocks: When hip pain involves nerve irritation or referred pain patterns, nerve blocks may be used to interrupt pain signals. These are especially useful in patients with chronic or neuropathic hip pain.
- Radiofrequency Ablation (RFA): For long-term relief, RFA uses heat to disrupt specific nerves transmitting pain from the hip. This minimally invasive procedure can be particularly effective in managing chronic osteoarthritis pain without surgery.
If other treatments are ineffective, hip replacement surgery may be the best option to restore function, particularly for those with advanced hip osteoarthritis or significant hip injuries.
The Importance of Early Intervention
Ignoring hip pain can lead to complications, such as increased joint damage or the progression of underlying conditions like arthritis. Timely treatment minimizes these risks and ensures the best chance for long-term relief and improved mobility.
With early care, many patients can avoid more invasive solutions, like hip replacement surgery, and get back to daily activities faster.
Where to Find Expert Care in Wexford
If you're searching for a 'hip pain specialist near me,' Interventional Pain & Spine Center in Wexford provides expert, compassionate care focused on your specific needs. Our approach integrates advanced diagnostics and cutting-edge therapies tailored for each patient.
Conveniently located at 100 Bradford Rd Suite 410, Wexford, PA, our center offers accessible care, including acceptance of all major insurance plans and workers' compensation.
Why Choose Interventional Pain & Spine Center?
At Interventional Pain & Spine Center, we pride ourselves on delivering expert care to patients in Wexford, PA, and surrounding areas. Here’s what sets us apart:
- Specialized Expertise: Dr. Mohammad Ali, a triple board-certified physician, brings advanced knowledge in pain medicine, neurology, and neurophysiology for a comprehensive approach to treating hip pain.
- Comprehensive Diagnostics: We use cutting-edge imaging techniques and a detailed evaluation process to uncover the root causes of hip pain, ensuring we treat the problem, not just the symptoms.
- Minimally Invasive Solutions: Whenever possible, we pursue minimally invasive procedures to reduce recovery times and provide results with minimal discomfort.
- Patient-Centered Care: Every treatment plan is tailored to the individual, whether you’re experiencing mild discomfort or severe hip pain.
- Accessibility and Support: We accept all insurance plans, including Workers' Compensation, to make care accessible to all patients.
Our patient-focused philosophy ensures you receive comprehensive and compassionate support throughout your recovery journey.
Regain Your Active Lifestyle in Wexford
Don’t let hip pain keep you from leading an active and fulfilling lifestyle. At Interventional Pain & Spine Center, we are committed to helping you move without discomfort and get back to the activities you love. Our evidence-based approach provides effective, lasting hip pain relief, guided by Dr. Ali's renowned expertise.
Contact us today at (724) 714-3975 or schedule your consultation online. Let us help you restore your active lifestyle and improve your quality of life in Wexford, PA.
