A hip injury might be a mild strain when you have stretched beyond its limits or a hairline fracture after a serious fall. The severity of hip injuries varies from mild to moderate to severe, but their impact is rather concerning and is a note of caution for both athletes who may be used to sports injuries and non-athletes alike.
Hip injuries are also very common and there are multiple treatment options available. Here are 4 common treatments that can get you on your way to recovery. As always, we recommend that you consult with Dr. Nelson for the exact treatment plan and only use this information as a guideline.
Home Remedies
This only works for mild injuries such as strain, muscle tightening, or pain caused by overexertion. The simplest way to address the swelling and pain caused by benign injuries is via RICE therapy.
This stands for Rest, Ice, Compression, and Elevation. Simply avoid putting pressure on the injured area, regularly apply cold packs, and lightly wrap the area using a compression wrap. The only exercise that will help is resting with your legs raised up above your heart. You might also be prescribed or take anti-inflammatory pills to reduce pain and swelling.
Surgical Treatment
Surgery helps by improving the hip joint function and is the most direct and invasive form of treatment. There are several surgeries that treat hip injuries with the three most common being:
Hip Replacement Surgery: When all other treatments fail, this major procedure is invoked to remove the damaged hip joint. A prosthetic implant fully or partially replaces the damaged hip joint allowing for improved function.
Arthroscopic Surgery: This is geared towards repairing damaged tissue. It’s a minimally invasive procedure and the surgical part is an orthopaedic surgeon looking inside the hip joint using a small camera.
Open Surgery: This is used to repair the hip when there has been excessive damage.
Physiotherapy
Physiotherapy is one of the most effective non-surgical procedures to treat hip injuries. A combination of exercises, massages, and electrical stimulation reduces pain and muscle spasms while promoting muscular strength and range of motion.
Leg raises, hip adductions and abductions, and different types of stretches are the most common exercises that are effective. Alternating between icing and heat therapy, and doing exercises strengthens the hip area and relieves pain. Exercises also prevent further injury or can be used as part of the rehabilitation process post-surgery.
Ultrasounds are also used as part of physiotherapy to improve blood flow that quickens healing. An orthopaedic surgeon or physiotherapist is best able to prescribe customized exercises that will address your particular needs and help you recover fast. Occupational therapists can also guide those suffering from hip injuries on how to use orthotics and assistive devices to protect and improve an injured hip.
Steroid Injections
Injecting the bursa (fluid-filled sac near the hip joint) with steroids also reduces pain and inflammation improving the range of motion and function of an injured hip.
From a simple shot of steroids to surgical replacements, there are various treatment options for hip injuries. If you are suffering from a hip injury and looking for an effective treatment plan, book an appointment with Dr. Nelson.
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