Self-management Tips for Hip Pain

Hip pain may be a nagging problem that is experienced by men and women who are the in their 40s, however, it is caused by a wide variety of health problems that it may not always be directly related to the hip. Alleviating the pain is often the goal of the treatment, health care providers believe, as the pain may hinder the person from performing their daily activities. Non-surgical treatments are the first line of treatments that are used in dealing with hip pain, according to the Hospital for Special Surgery (HSS), these treatments may be conservative but may be helpful in alleviating hip pain and swelling. Hip replacement surgery have started several controversies are now being discussed as the new case management order was released.

It is advisable to have the doctor check the hip first if there are signs of osteoarthritis. The debilitating problem in the hip is one of the most common problems among older men and women. Hence, it is best that they are aware of the problem earlier for them to manage the pain efficiently when it occurs. Self-management methods may help patients actively take their health into their hands.

Here are a few tips on managing the pain:

-      Exercise – there are many exercises that may be performed to keep the pain at bay because it helps protect the joints by strengthening it. Low-impact activities such as cycling and walking may be recommended. Swimming and other water exercises are also popular among those with hip and knee pain as the water helps in taking out the pressure on the joints. Running may not be a good exercise because it will add more pressure to the joint.

-      Weight loss – the weight of the person is one of the many factors that affect the joints because the hip and the knees are the ones that carry it. Losing the extra weight will allow the pressure on the joints to lessen and provide relief.

-      Warm and cold compress – alternating the warm and cold compress will help ease the pain.

-      Sleeping positions – changing the sleeping positions and lying on the unaffected side will also prevent the pain from occurring.

-      Rest – although exercise may be good for the damaged joint, rest is just as important. There needs to be a balance between rest and exercise.

These tips may help most men and women who are suffering from debilitating hip pain experience relief. Visit the hiprecallnewscenter.com for more information on the problems encountered with metal hip implants.

URL References:

arthritisresearchuk.org/arthritis-information/conditions/hip-pain.aspx

nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/003179.htm

hss.edu/hip-pain-center-treatments.asp

arthritisvic.org.au/Conditions-and-Symptoms/Osteoarthritis-of-the-Hip-and-Knee

Questions on Hip Replacement Operations

Undergoing a hip replacement procedure is a difficult decision that most men and women with hip problems make after seriously considering all the options, health care providers say. First achieved in 1960, according to the American Association of Orthopedic Surgery (AAOS), hip replacement surgery remains to be one of the most successful procedure in all of medicine. Lifestyle changes, exercise and medications are non-surgical methods that are being used before a surgical procedure may be advised. Those who are still contemplating on the procedure needs to know all the details concerning the operation. It is important that patients weigh the risk and benefit of the surgery and health care providers are required to provide the necessary details of the procedure.

It may help to ask the right questions to disperse any doubts and fears. These questions are commonly asked by patients:

What is a hip replacement?

- It is surgically removing the damaged part of the joint and inserting the artificial joint in its place.

Are there possible alternatives to hip replacement surgery?

- A possible alternative is osteotomy – this entails cutting and realigning the bone to shift the weight.

What occurs after the procedure?

- It usually takes three to five days before a patients is discharged from the hospital. A physical therapist will instruct patients to follow a series of joint strengthening exercises before they are discharged.

How long will it take to fully recover?

- It may take about three to six months for the patient to fully recover. Following the exercises and doctors’ recommendations may help in speeding up the recovery.

What are the common complications of this procedure?

- There are varying complications to this type of operation. Hip replacement surgery also has the same set of complications that are present in major surgeries. Dislocation remains to be a common problem after the surgery because the artificial joint is not as large as the normal joint. After several years of using the prosthesis, it is also possible that the implant will experience wear and tear. These problems might result to a hip revision surgery.

A skilled surgeon is often in demand because the skills of the surgeon may affect patients’ recovery. Orthopedic specialists conduct studies to help in creating better implants after the recent metal hip recall occurred.

URL References:

orthoinfo.aaos.org/topic.cfm?topic=a00377

niams.nih.gov/Health_Info/Hip_Replacement/#3