Hip Pain Specialist

What is hip pain?

Hip pain is a common pain complaint and includes any discomfort you feel in or around the large, mobile joint. Your discomfort may range from a dull, annoying ache to severe pain that makes mobility almost impossible.

The location of your hip pain may help determine the source of your discomfort. For example, pain within the joint or the groin area usually means a hip joint problem. 

Pain on the outside of your hip or buttocks may mean there’s a problem with the connective tissue in your hip, such as the muscle, ligaments, or tendons. 

Though hip pain is often an acute problem that may develop after an overzealous workout, if your pain is severe or chronic, schedule an evaluation with the experts at Alpine Orthopedics and Sports Medicine to get relief. 

What causes hip pain?

Hip pain may develop from any number of causes. Typical causes of hip pain include:

• Arthritis
• Bursitis
• Tendonitis
• Fractures
• Dislocation
• Hip labral tear
• Sprains
• Sciatica

You may also develop hip pain if you have a problem with your ankles, knees, or back. 

What happens during a hip pain evaluation?

When you visit Alpine Orthopedics and Sports Medicine for a hip pain evaluation, you can expect a patient-focused exam. 

Your provider asks detailed questions about your pain, including the location and type of pain you feel, when it started, and what activities make it worse. They review your medical history and examine your hip, performing various tests to assess structure, function, and strength.

To confirm or rule out the cause of your hip pain, your provider at Alpine Orthopedics and Sports Medicine may request diagnostic tests. Testing may include X-rays, ultrasounds, or an MRI, which the team completes on-site.  

How is hip pain treated?

Treatment for your hip pain may depend on the underlying cause. Initially, the team at Alpine Orthopedics and Sports Medicine takes a conservative approach and recommends:

• Activity modification 
• Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
• Pain medication
• Physical therapy
• Steroid injections

If you have hip pain from arthritis that’s getting worse and affecting your quality of life, the team at Alpine Orthopedics and Sports Medicine may recommend hip replacement surgery.

During hip replacement, your orthopedic surgeon replaces the damaged portions of your hip with prosthetic pieces that mimic the structure and function of your hip. Most people experience a significant reduction in their hip pain following joint replacement surgery.

To get relief from your hip pain, call Alpine Orthopedics and Sports Medicine, or request an appointment online today.