Hip pain has many causes, with osteoarthritis being one of the most common. If conservative measures like medication, activity modification, and physical therapy haven't provided significant relief, non-surgical options like joint injections may be beneficial.
At Eastside Family Health Center in Kirkland, WA, Dr. Frank Marinkovich, MD, specializes in treating various forms of arthritis, including hip arthritis. He offers advanced treatments like MSK (musculoskeletal) injections and osteopathic manipulation to alleviate hip discomfort.
Causes of Hip Arthritis
Hip arthritis causes irreversible damage to the hip joints, leading to the breakdown of crucial protective tissues, chronic inflammation, and pain. Different types of arthritis can affect the hip, including osteoarthritis, psoriatic arthritis, and rheumatoid arthritis. Despite their differences, all forms of arthritis ultimately damage essential hip components.
According to the CDC, over 58 million people in the U.S. live with some form of arthritis. Risk factors for hip arthritis include:
Arthritis impacts various aspects of life, from work to daily activities. Early detection increases the likelihood of relief from non-surgical measures, potentially delaying further hip joint damage.
Do You Need Surgery?
While hip pain can be severe, surgery is not always required. Many effective treatments are available before considering surgical intervention. Surgery, especially hip replacement, is invasive and involves significant risks and recovery time.
If your hip pain is manageable but affects activities like walking and climbing stairs, consider non-surgical treatments first. Surgical consultation may be necessary if conservative treatments fail to alleviate your pain and severely impact your daily activities and mobility.
Five Effective Non-Surgical Treatments
Our goal at Eastside Family Health Center is to help you regain hip function and reduce pain without surgery. Here are five non-surgical options for long-term hip pain relief:
Osteopathic Manual Manipulation Dr. Marinkovich uses osteopathic manual manipulation to enhance health and wellness, particularly for arthritis patients. This technique involves gentle stretching and fascial release to promote blood flow, reduce pain, and improve joint function.
Physical Therapy Physical therapy helps improve functionality, reduce pain, and enhance your quality of life with hip arthritis. A physical therapist develops a customized plan that includes strength-building, stretching, and active movement to enhance joint function.
MSK Injections MSK injections are highly effective in relieving hip arthritis pain. These injections decrease joint inflammation, enhance lubrication, and promote new tissue growth, slowing the progression of degenerative conditions like arthritis.
Medications Medications can be beneficial when lifestyle modifications alone don't provide relief. Anti-inflammatory drugs are recommended to help reduce hip pain and manage arthritis symptoms.
Lifestyle Modifications Adjusting your lifestyle can help manage hip pain. Losing weight if you're obese can reduce excess pressure on the hip and knee joints. Incorporating low-impact activities like swimming or biking into your exercise routine is also beneficial for living with hip arthritis.
For personalized treatment for your hip pain, contact Eastside Family Health Center today or request an appointment online.
