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What Are the Different Ways to Treat a Sore Hip?

C. Daw
C. Daw

There are various different ways to treat a sore hip, depending on the specific reasons for the pain, as well as various external and internal factors. There are many different causes for hip soreness, such as arthritis, tendinitis, bursitis, strains, lumbar pains, fractures, and numerous other injuries that can occur throughout the lifetime of a person. People that are over 50 years of age are even more susceptible to hip problems, and the treatments for a sore hip will vary in elderly people and young infants. In order to effectively treat these problems the person must begin with evaluating the situation and the entire list of outside factors, and then set up a plan specialized for each particular case.

With this in mind, the first and foremost step when attempting to treat a sore hip is to visit a doctor who is familiar with bone and joint problems. They can effectively diagnose the problem, analyze all the factors involved, and then set up a treatment plan that will help resolve the issue, rather than trying different methods that may cause even more injury to the hip. They can also prescribe various drugs that will help alleviate the pain and allow the treatment plan to be performed.

Severe cases of hip pain may only be relieved through hip replacement surgery.
Severe cases of hip pain may only be relieved through hip replacement surgery.

One of the most important steps within a treatment plan will include various different exercises, depending once again upon the circumstances of the specific case involved, which are usually done under the supervision of a physical therapist. Some common exercises used to treat a sore hip begins with bent leg raises, assisted hip flexor movements, and other easy exercises that do not involve any weight resistance. After exercising, or even during times of the day where the hip is extra sore, ice or heat should be used. Ice is used when the area begins to swell due to the pain, and heat is used when no swelling is present, but pain is.

Other movement exercises will be incorporated into the plan as the health of the hip improves, and the pain and discomfort decreases. A very common activity that is used to treat a sore hip is to simply add walking into the list of daily activities. This form of exercise will be recommended after some strength has been restored within the hip, and longer walks will be incorporated into the treatment plan as the inflamed area becomes more adapted to working without causing pain. There is also the possibility of adding some yoga and aerobic exercises into the treatment plan, but these are usually delayed until the pain within the hip is very minimal, or completely gone, because they require a great deal of movement, strength, and flexibility.

The final way to treat a sore hip, which is considered to be a last resort cure, is surgery along with prescription medications for pain management. There are numerous types of surgical treatments that can be done, from a basic scraping of the bones to a complete hip replacement. The reason that these medical procedures are used as a last resort is because as with any other type of surgery, there can be some serious complications and side effects associated with them, especially for individuals that are extremely young or old. Natural healing methods will be used first in the hopes that these more invasive solutions can be avoided.

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    • Severe cases of hip pain may only be relieved through hip replacement surgery.
      By: NICOLAS LARENTO
      Severe cases of hip pain may only be relieved through hip replacement surgery.