If your condition is mild, Dr. Mulhall may opt for nonsurgical options to provide relief from hip pain. Each option below is much more conservative than a total hip replacement, and each one is non-invasive. Dr. Mulhall will discuss these options with you and compare them against a hip replacement.
In some cases, it may be enough to reduce the stress on your hips through 100% natural activities. These can include:
Weight loss
Standing for short periods
Walking for short periods
Use of a cane to decrease the weight on your painful hip
Physiotherapy is often a perfect option for patients suffering from hip pain. Aquatic therapy programs are available that effectively treat the effects of arthritis while removing the weight-bearing stress of the patient’s body weight. Additionally, mild exercise is very therapeutic for patients suffering from arthritis. Light weight-training, riding a stationary bike, and walking can increase mobility and flexibility while improving hip strength.
If you are experiencing mild to moderate pain, over-the-counter analgesics such as paracetamol and ibuprofen should be tried first. Despite good efficacy, some patients may still have discomfort. If this is the case, a consultation with your general practitioner is advised to see if you are a candidate for prescription analgesia.
Because pain from arthritis is caused primarily by inflammation in the hip joint, the reduction of inflammation in this tissue can give the patient relief from pain and can delay the need for surgery. This treatment is done using non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. While these can be quite effective in managing pain, they are not appropriate for everyone as they have significant side effects such as gastritis, kidney impairment and long term blood pressure effects.
Corticosteroids, known more commonly as steroids, are artificial drugs that closely resemble a hormone naturally produced by your adrenal glands. These are to be distinguished from the type of steroids associated with athletes. These corticosteroids reduce inflammation by reducing the activity of the immune symptoms.
While Dr. Mulhall’s specialty is in surgical procedures to resolve orthopaedic issues, he is still a hip specialist. He is trained to accurately diagnose and prescribe treatment for any hip-related ailment. If you are experiencing pain in the hip and would like to find out more, please contact his secretary, Sinead.
