Hip pain is a common problem among adults and becomes more prevalent as people become older. If left untreated, it can cause functional disability and affect the quality of life. The precise location of the hip pain can help your doctor address the underlying cause and start a treatment plan.
This form of pain can be from the hip joint itself, the groin, or the thigh region. If the pain persists, it can worsen and require treatment options such as surgery. However, the pain might continue even after surgery. When this happens, you'll need to consult a doctor for alternative treatments such as phototherapy and bioenergetics.
What Causes Hip Pain?
Hip pain can be caused by issues in the muscles and tissue around the hip or by medical conditions and diseases. Here are the most common causes.
Arthritis
Rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis are common causes of hip pain, especially in older adults. More than 350 million people have been diagnosed with arthritis globally, increasing the number of people suffering from hip pain. This medical condition leads to inflammation of the hip joint and affects the cartilage that cushions the hip bones. When this happens, the patient experiences stiffness and poor motion in the hip.
Hip Fractures
Hip fractures are a significant cause of hip pain, especially among older adults. These fractures typically result from falls or direct trauma to the hip, with osteoporosis often contributing to increased susceptibility. The pain from a hip fracture is immediate and severe, usually rendering the individual unable to bear weight on the affected leg. Treatment typically involves surgical intervention, followed by rehabilitation to restore mobility and function. Preventative measures, such as fall prevention strategies and bone health maintenance, are crucial in reducing the risk of hip fractures and the associated debilitating pain.
Bursitis
Bursitis is a common cause of hip pain, characterized by inflammation of the bursae. The bursae are small fluid-filled sacs that cushion the hip joint. This condition often results from repetitive motion, prolonged pressure on the hip, or direct trauma. Symptoms include sharp or aching pain, swelling, and tenderness around the affected area, which can worsen with movement or prolonged inactivity. Bursitis is typically treated with rest, ice application, anti-inflammatory medications, and physical therapy to strengthen the surrounding muscles and improve joint function. Preventive measures, such as proper stretching and avoiding repetitive stress, can help reduce the risk of hip bursitis.
Muscle Or Tendon Strain
Muscle or tendon strain is a common cause of hip pain, often resulting from overuse, sudden movements, or improper exercise techniques. This type of strain affects the muscles and tendons surrounding the hip joint, leading to inflammation, swelling, and discomfort. Individuals experiencing a muscle or tendon strain may feel sharp or dull pain, stiffness, and weakness in the hip area, which can be exacerbated by physical activity. Treatment typically includes rest, ice, compression, and elevation (RICE), along with physical therapy exercises to improve strength and flexibility. Proper warm-ups and conditioning can help prevent these strains and maintain hip health.
When Do You Require Hip Surgery?
If you suffer from hip pain and stiffness due to arthritis, or another form of hip joint damage, you might require hip replacement surgery. Your doctor may recommend this procedure if you have Rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, hip fractures, tumor in the hip joint, or avascular necrosis. You require hip replacement surgery if your quality of life if getting affected by the hip pain.
On most occasions, the surgery is usually recommended after the doctor has already prescribed medication to reduce the inflammation, joint infections, walking aids, and physical therapy. When all this fails, you'll need to hip replacement surgery to restore your normal functioning.
After the surgery, some patients recover much faster, while others will still need physical therapy for several weeks to regain their motion and strength. Your doctor will advise on how to handle recovery and manage your pain. However, in some cases, the hip pain after surgery might persist due to different reasons.
Symptoms Associated With Hip Pain After Surgery
After your hip surgery, here are some of the symptoms that you might experience if you still have pain.
Discomfort in the Hip Region
This is common because every patient has a different recovery period. Most people who have gone through hip replacement surgery will experience pain for two to four weeks. However, if the pain persists after this period, you need to consult your doctor for alternative options.
Thigh or Groin Pain
After the surgery, you might also experience thigh or groin pain. This happens because they are near the hip; therefore, the pain spreads out to the nearest body parts.
Knee Pain
You are more likely to experience knee pain due to the change in the length og your leg. In some cases, hip surgery can cause one leg to be shorter than the other. Therefore, if you don't stretch, this becomes a problem.
Joint Stiffness
Your hip joint might stiffen after surgery, causing you more pain. This occurs when the soft tissues harden into the bone. You should consult your doctor as soon as you notice the issue to manage the pain.
How To Manage Hip Pain After Surgery Using Phototherapy
Phototherapy or light therapy can be used as an alternative form of treatment to reduce muscle soreness, injury pain, and any other form of chronic pain such as from hip replacement surgery. By using laser therapy, this alternative form of treatment can increase tissue regrowth, reduce pain and inflammation and stimulate healing.
Phototherapy works by inhibiting the processes in your body that induce pain. When the light is transmitted through the skin, it reaches the injured muscle, increases blood flow, and accelerates tissue healing. In addition, this helps restore normal cellular function. Therefore, if you are experiencing post-surgical hip pain, light therapy can hasten the healing process.
How To Manage Hip Pain After Surgery Using Bioenergetics
With bioenergetics therapy, psychologists use the correlation between the body and mind. They can use bioenergetics to identify and understand patterns based on breathing patterns, body structure, and movement. They can help the patient by addressing chronic tension and muscle spasms to reduce hip pain.
This form of therapy helps address chronic pain by releasing the tension and stress related to a traumatic experience such as chronic pain.
Summary
Hip pain is quite common even after surgery. When the pain persists, you can address it using alternative forms of therapy such as bioenergetics and phototherapy. If you have been experiencing chronic pain after a hip replacement procedure and need to deal with the issue, schedule a session with our specialist today.
