HIP AND LEG PAIN AND CONDITIONS

Although hip pain can be painful, you don’t have to let it keep you from doing everything you want.

The majority of people living with hip pain have hip arthritis, which includes osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. They can also come across issues such as hip strain and bursitis. Some may need hip replacement surgery rehab.

Visiting a doctor to address hip pain will likely only give you a diagnosis of one of the conditions above but not actually treat the associated pain.

Physical therapy to treat hip pain begins with the proper pain diagnosis. This process includes evaluating the joint and surrounding joints, and studying the dynamic movement of walking and sitting/standing. Your physical therapist will also ask you many questions regarding your history, when the pain started, what activities aggravate or ease the pain and what your goals are. Afterwards, your physical therapist will discuss techniques to remedy the hip pain.

Arthritis in hips is inflammation in the joint. It is caused by the bones that make up the ball and socket hip joint rubbing together as the cartilage wears down. Arthritis typically becomes more prevalent with age, but it can begin at almost any stage of life. There are different types of arthritis and arthritis does not need to be painful.

Osteoarthritis is age-related arthritis. It is when the cartilage degenerates and wears down the bones beneath the joint.2 Physical therapists give proper treatment plans for osteoarthritis that include age and mobility appropriate exercises to relieve pain.

Read our free eBook to learn more about arthritis of the hip.

Rheumatoid Arthritis is long-term arthritis caused by an autoimmune disease. It is inflammation, swelling, and stiffness in the joints.2 Physical therapy can provide an arsenal of ways to continuously treat rheumatoid arthritis and reduce pain. Treatment might include exercise, or water therapy.

Hip strains involve a muscle around the joint being overworked to the point of damage either in the form of overstretching or micro-tearing. After the right amount of rest time, a physical therapist can provide a treatment plan for how to get back into movement without injuring the hip further. Hip strains are common and often do not require a lot of rest. In fact “active rest” combined with the right physical therapy exercises can get you back to activity sometimes within a matter of weeks.

Bursitis is inflammation in the fluid-filled sacs called “bursae” in joints.3 It can occur in any joint in the body including hip joints. Bursitis is often a result of arthritis, but can also occur with an overuse activity or because of muscle imbalances around the hip joint. With the help of a physical therapist, it can be easily treated with the right plan of action.

Before and after hip replacement surgery, movement is not easy and pain is no stranger. Even simple movements such as walking and sitting up can be difficult. Before surgery, physical therapy will help with preparing your home for surgery and teaching you how to walk. After surgery, physical therapy is vital because it helps strengthen the muscles faster, get you back on your feet faster, and help you move better than you did pre-surgery.4