Hip Doctor’s Guide

Having hip pain can make everyday activities difficult. Many people associate hip pain with older adults; however, people of all ages can experience hip pain, especially those who play sports. Learn what may be causing your issues and ways to help return to a pain-free life.

3 Conditions That Cause Hip Pain

Hip Dysplasia         

Hip dysplasia is a condition in which the ball of the hip joint is not fully supported by the socket.

Symptoms:

Infants and young children may experience different leg lengths. In addition, young children may limp when they walk.

Young adults may experience pain and instability in the hip. Many people with hip dysplasia also develop hip arthritis.

Causes:

Hip dysplasia is a condition that someone is born with. It is caused by improper position of the ball in the socket. Due to this incorrect placement, the socket does not form correctly around the ball, and hip dysplasia occurs.

Treatment:

Dr. Brian Dierckman, discusses treatment for hip dysplasia

Treatment will depend on the age of the patient and severity of the condition. If your infant has hip dysplasia, your doctor may recommend a brace.

Young adults with hip dysplasia may need surgery. Your hip doctor may recommend a periacetabular osteotomy. To learn more about treatment, seek help from a hip dysplasia specialist near you.

Hip Labral Tear

A hip labral tear occurs when the tissue surrounding your hip joint socket, also known as the labrum, is injured.

Symptoms:

If you have a hip labral tear, you may not experience any symptoms; however, this is what you can expect if you do:

• Locking in the hip
• Limited movement in the hip
• Hip pain
• Pain when exercising

Causes:

Hip labral tears can stem from injury, sports, or genetics. Athletes are more likely to experience a hip labral tear due to the sudden motions they make.

Treatment:

At first, you hip doctor may recommend conservative treatment such as pain relief medication, injections, or physical therapy.

If conservative treatment does not help, a hip specialist may recommend surgery. One surgery they may recommend is arthroscopic surgery to repair the labrum.

 

Hip Bursitis

Bursitis is a condition that occurs when the bursa sac is inflamed. These sacs are meant to lessen the friction between tissue.

Symptoms:

• Hip pain
• Thigh pain
• Sharp pain in beginning stages
• Aching pain in later stages
• Pain from exercise

Causes:

There are numerous factors that can lead to hip bursitis. Injury, arthritis, spine issues, and uneven leg length can all lead to irritation of the bursa.

Additionally, females and elderly people are more likely to develop hip bursitis.

Treatment:

Hip bursitis can be treated non-surgically by anti-inflammatory drugs, injections, physical therapy, and activity modification.

Surgery is often not needed. However, if your hip bursitis worsens, your hip doctor may consider removing the affected bursa.

What Kind of Doctor do I See for Hip Pain?

If you are experiencing hip pain, locking in the hip joint, or limited range of motion in the hip, you should seek help from an orthopedic hip doctor. Our orthopedists include some of the best hip doctors in Nashville, TN.

5 Signs You Need to See a Hip Doctor

Have you been experiencing hip pain that will not seem to go away? Your hip pain may be a symptom of a condition that needs medical treatment. Here are 5 signs that you need to see a hip doctor:

1. Your hip pain is limiting your daily activities

2. You are feeling depressed

3. You have difficulty sleeping

4. At home treatment methods aren’t working

5. Your hip pain is affecting other joints

Hip Arthritis

Osteoarthritis is one of the most common causes of chronic hip pain. Additionally, rheumatoid arthritis and post-traumatic arthritis can lead to hip pain.

Arthritis of the hip may be caused by previous injury to the hip. Things like age, weight, and family history can also increase risk for hip arthritis.

If you have hip arthritis, you may have trouble walking or moving your hip, or pain in your groin.

There is no cure arthritis; although, there are many measures you can take to relieve pain. Your hip doctor may recommend activity modification, physical therapy, injections, or anti-inflammatory medication.

If arthritis pain is severe and controlling your life, you may require a hip replacement.

Hip Replacement Surgery

If you have hip arthritis, hip fractures, or avascular necrosis, you may need hip replacement surgery and you should seek help from a hip replacement specialist.

A hip replacement involves removing depleted cartilage and bone and replacing it with artificial parts.

Posterior vs. Anterior Approach to Hip Replacement

Based on your body and lifestyle, your orthopedic surgeon will either perform a posterior or anterior approach to hip replacement.

The main difference between the two approaches is where the incision is made. In a posterior approach, the incision is made behind the hip. In an anterior approach, the incision is made in front of the hip. There are pros and cons to both approaches to hip replacement, so be sure to discuss what is right for you with your doctor.

How Can I Avoid Hip Pain?

One of the best ways to relieve hip pain, is to prevent it from happening in the first place. If you have a condition like hip arthritis or injury to your hip, you know that many little things can trigger your pain. Here are some simple tips to prevent hip pain:

1. Modify Your Daily Activities

Avoid any activities that put unwanted pressure on your hip joint. If working out is a part of your routine, avoid high-impact exercises and heavy weightlifting.

Instead try low-impact exercises like walking, swimming, biking, and yoga.

2. Seek Help

If you have a hip injury or are experiencing hip pain, do not hesitate to seek help from a hip specialist. You do not want to damage your hip further, so it is best to seek medical advice.

3. Lose Weight

Being overweight can put pressure on the hip joint. Talk to a doctor of a nutrition specialist about your best options for weight loss.

4. Eat a Healthy Diet

Eating healthy, can not only aid in weight loss, but it can give you vital nutrients needed to protect your body. Eat more nutrient dense foods to protect your bone health and reduce inflammation.

5. Stretch Often

Stretching can help to relieve hip pain and prevent future hip pain. If you are going to exercise, it is a good idea to stretch before and after. Seek help from a physical therapist to find stretches that work for you and your condition.

Physical therapy is an option for treating symptoms of hip arthritis, hip bursitis, hip dysplasia, and hip labral tears.

Although it is not a cure for most hip conditions, it can help to relieve pain and other symptoms.

1. Knee to Chest Stretch

Start by laying on your back with your legs together. Next bring your right knee to your chest. Hold this pose for one minute and repeat on the left leg.

2. Leg Circles

Start by laying on your back with your legs together. Lift your right leg up a couple inches and make small circles for 10 seconds. Repeat on the left leg. Repeat 3 times. You can adjust the amount of time you make circles for or repetition depending on pain.

3. Leg Raises on Your Side

Start by laying on your side with you legs parallel. Lift your top leg up and hold for 5 seconds. Make sure that you are keeping your legs straight. Repeat on the other leg. Repeat 10 times.

4. Hip Rotation

Start by laying on your back with your knees bent. Your feet should be flat on the floor. Slowly move both of your knees to your right side. Move your head to your left side and hold this pose for 30 seconds. Gradually bring your knees and head back to where you started. Then repeat on your left side.

5. Butterfly

Start by sitting down with your knees bent and your feet flat on the ground. Slowly bring your legs to the side and your feet together. Hold this pose for 30 seconds and repeat as needed.

Exercises to Avoid if You Have Hip Pain

Often times low-impact exercise can help to reduce hip pain; however there are certain exercises that can make matters worse. If you do any of the following, it is best to take a break until your hip pain goes away, or talk to your doctor about your options:

• Running
• Squats
• Weight-bearing exercises
• High intensity exercises

It is important to remember that all bodies are different and if you are experiencing hip pain during exercise, seek help from a hip doctor near you.

Treatment Options Your Hip Doctor May Recommend

If you are experiencing chronic hip pain, seek help from an orthopedic surgeon specializing in surgery of the hip. Depending on your condition they may recommend conservative treatment or surgery if needed.  

Nonsurgical Treatment

At Elite Sports Medicine + Orthopedics, our hip doctors always recommend conservative treatment if possible. Here are some non-surgical treatments they may recommend:

• Physical therapy
• Activity modification
• Anti-inflammatory medications
• Joint injections
• Regenerative medicine 

Surgical Treatment

If surgery is needed, our hip specialists aim for arthroscopic surgery, also known as minimally invasive surgery. In some cases, hip replacement is the only treatment. Here are some surgeries your hip doctor may recommend:

• Total hip replacement
• Total hip revisions
• Periacetabular osteotomy
• Hip arthroscopy
• Hip labral repair

Our Hip Doctors in Nashville, TN

Dr. Chad Price

Dr. Price sees patients in Nashville and Franklin, TN who have hip pain. He chose to become an orthopedic surgeon because it is something where he can take a problem and come up with solutions to get someone back to what they want to do.

 

Dr. Gregory Raab

Dr. Raab specializes in hip replacement surgery. His hip-related specialties include total hip replacements, total hip revisions, avascular necrosis, and osteoarthritis.

 

Dr. Amanda Martin

Dr. Martin sees a wide variety of injuries including hip-related injuries. She enjoys getting a patient back to what they need to do; whether it’s an athlete getting back on the field or a parent getting back to work so they can provide for their family.

 

Dr. Brian Dierckman

Dr. Dierckman decided to specialize in hip surgery from his own experience with hip pain. He had a hip surgery that did not go well, which drove his journey to learning about the hip and becoming a hip specialist.

Success Stories from Our Patients

Kimberly, Dr. Dierckman Patient

Kimberely discusses her experience with Dr. Dierckman

Kimberly came to see hip specialist, Dr. Dierckman after a slip-and-fall injury. She was diagnosed with a hip labral tear and needed surgery to correct her condition.

She appreciated Dr. Dierckman taking the time to explain her scan and why surgery was needed. She states, “I hugely recommend this facility and everyone in it to anyone who is injured.”

References:

American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. (2018, September). Hip Bursitis . OrthoInfo. https://orthoinfo.aaos.org/en/diseases–conditions/hip-bursitis/.

Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research. (2019, December 20). Hip labral tear. Mayo Clinic. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/hip-labral-tear/symptoms-causes/syc-20354873.

Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research. (2020, March 20). Hip dysplasia. Mayo Clinic. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/hip-dysplasia/symptoms-causes/syc-20350209.