by Judith Richards

Created on: April 03, 2009

Treatments for hip problems vary according to the type of disease or disability present. Therefore, an accurate diagnosis by a physician is required so the proper treatment can be prescribed. There are several causes of hip problems and it is important to discuss with your doctor what treatment options are available to treat each one. The options are many. Some can be administered by the patient, while others must be prescribed or performed under a doctor's supervision.

Some conditions, such as bursitis and tendonitis can be treated and reversed. Others, affecting the bones and cartilage, require more extensive treatments and/or surgery to allow the patient to live with an existing condition. A brief description of hip problems and treatments follows:

BURSITIS- Inflammation of the bursa sac that functions as a gliding surface to reduce friction. Most patients who follow treatments get better in about six weeks.
Treatments:
1. rest
2. ice applications
3. anti-inflammatory medication
4. cortisone injections with anesthetic if required
5. if septic (infected), antibiotics given intravenously. If unsuccessful, the infected sac may be drained and removed surgically on an outpatient basis
6. exercise and stretching, avoid hills and stairs
7. physical therapy to strengthen and stretch, ultra sound
8. weight reduction
9. surgery to remove bursa as outpatient

TENDONITIS-tendon inflammation and muscle irritation caused by repetitive movement
Treatments:
1. rest
2. ice and heat applications
3. anti-inflammatory medication
4. exercise/stretching
5. surgery, if all else fails

ARTHRITIS- cartilage of the joint is worn away and bare bone is exposed
Treatments:
1. anti-inflammatory medication, glucosamine
2. limit exercise, try new exercise methods and/or a cane
3. weight reduction tends to help most people
4. physical therapy
5. surgery - hip replacement

OSTEOARTHRITIS-loss of cartilage and wear-and-tear of the hip joint
Treatments:
1. rest
2. mild to strong pain killers
3. physical therapy,
4. exercise - avoid high impact activities, try walking, swimming and cycling
5. weight reduction
6. surgery-osteotomy - to realign angles of the hips, or in some cases hip replacement

OSTEONECROSIS - bone collapse due to cell death caused by restricted blood flow
Treatments:
1. anti-inflammatory and pain medication
2. early stages surgery for hip decompression and bone graft
3. hip replacement

Alternative treatments are also being studied and include the use of acupuncture, rose hip extracts, and cod liver oil to relieve inflammation. Many patients are able to reduce their intake of pain medication and notice a reduction in swelling and inflammation.

It's important to look at preventive measures too, such as maintaining normal weight, limiting high impact activities and repetitive movements over long periods of time, and treating sports injuries adequately. Hopefully, one can prevent hip problems from occurring in the first place.

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