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Hip Pain Q&A

Hip Pain services offered in Belle Meade, Nashville, TN

Hip pain can limit your movement and interfere with your ability to exercise, play sports, or walk. At Advanced Sports Medicine in Nashville, Tennessee, Jim Johnson, MD, offers minimally invasive treatments to reduce hip pain and improve mobility in your joints. Dr. Johnson can relieve pain in your hip, whether you have osteoarthritis or an untreated sports injury. To learn more, call Advanced Sports Medicine today or schedule an appointment.

What causes hip pain?

The hip is a complex ball-and-socket joint that bears your upper body weight and allows your lower body motion. Many muscles, tendons, and ligaments support the hip joint. Damage to the joint or any of its supporting structures can lead to chronic pain. Common causes of hip pain include:

Osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a form of arthritis. When the cartilage around your joint deteriorates, friction between bones can lead to pain, inflammation, and limited range of motion that diminishes your mobility.

Rheumatoid arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is another type of joint inflammation that can affect the hips. Unlike OA, RA affects the joint’s inner lining. This autoimmune disease can lead to stiff or swollen hip joints that cause chronic pain.

Bursitis

The bursae are fluid-filled sacs that help protect and cushion the soft tissues surrounding your joints. Bursitis occurs when the bursae become inflamed and irritated. While bursitis can develop nearly anywhere in your body, the hip is one of the most common areas.

Fractures

A hip fracture is a bone break anywhere in the joint. Some people are more vulnerable to hip fractures than others. If you have osteoporosis, which causes brittle bones, early intervention can help prevent hip fractures.

Tendonitis

Tendonitis occurs when the tendons that support your hip joint becomes inflamed. The most common cause is overuse and poor conditioning.

How is hip pain diagnosed?

After a physical exam and review of your medical history, Dr. Johnson may order imaging scans to view your hip joint. The most common imaging tests for hip pain are X-rays and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). These tests can help determine the severity of your hip damage, so Dr. Johnson can create your treatment plan.

What are the treatments for hip pain?

Dr. Johnson offers numerous minimally invasive, nonsurgical treatments for hip pain, including:

 

  • Corticosteroid joint injections
  • Anti-inflammatory medications
  • Physical therapy
  • Strengthening stretches and exercises
  • Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy
  • Flexibility and stabilization techniques

 

Hip pain is a complex condition that often requires long-term treatment to reduce your need for surgery. To learn more about the hip pain treatments at Advanced Sports Medicine, call or schedule an appointment online today.