Hip treatment can consist of many things, including surgery, physical therapy, bed rest, and medication. The type of treatment chosen will be determined by the type and severity of injury or illness. There are risks and benefits to each treatment option, both of which must be weighed by doctors and patients to determine the best course of action for each situation.
For minor hip injuries, such as a sprain or pulled muscle, the most likely hip treatment would include bed rest and the use of a pain medication to alleviate discomfort. This type of injury is most likely due to exercise, sporting activities, or children rough housing. Most times the hip will repair itself if given enough rest. If symptoms persists for more than a day or so, or worsen, a doctor should be seen right away to rule out a more serious injury.
Physical therapy may be an appropriate hip treatment method when injuries are more severe. This type of injury may be caused by anything from contact sports to an automobile accident. Generally, pain medications and bed rest are used until the hip has proper time to heal to some degree and any swelling goes down. Then, patients will practice using their hips again by walking, twisting, and moving. This helps to retrain the muscles to do their job after a serious injury.
In some cases, hip surgery is the best hip treatment option. This is generally true in the case of a hip fracture or severe and debilitating arthritis. Many times the hip bone will be replaced by an artificial one to help alleviate pain and strengthen the area to prevent further injury. There are complications that can result from hip injury, as there are with any kind of major surgery. Patients will generally need to be in relatively good health to undergo this type of hip treatment to avoid these risks.
After hip surgery is completed, most patients will be required to undergo some form of physical therapy to regain use of the hip and leg involved. Therapy will likely include work with a therapist for several days in the hospital after the operation, as well as continued therapy at a outpatient center after release. Many patients, primarily those who are elderly or weakened due to injury or illness, will need to use walkers or wheelchairs until full recovery is obtained.
Anyone who has experienced a hip injury, whether mild or severe, should seek the advice of a trained medical professional. In some cases, even a mild injury can become serious with repeated use of the hip and lack of treatment. Most times, hip treatments are successful in providing patients with full or partial function of the hip and leg.