Hip Pain Treatment: 5 Expert Solutions You Should Know
You wake up with a dull ache in your hip that gradually worsens throughout the day. Maybe it flares up when you sit for too long or when you climb the stairs. That persistent discomfort can make even the simplest daily activities feel like a challenge. Whether your hip pain is sharp or dull, constant or intermittent, finding an effective solution can greatly improve your quality of life.
At VIP Medical Group, we understand that each patient’s experience with hip pain is unique, and so should their hip pain treatment. Our team of Ivy League-educated, Harvard-trained pain specialists offers a range of minimally invasive pain treatments to relieve pain without the need for invasive surgeries or opioids. In this article, we’ll introduce five expert-approved solutions for hip pain treatment, each tailored to target the root cause of your discomfort.
1. Steroid Injections
One of the most common and effective treatments for hip pain is steroid injections. This minimally invasive procedure is beneficial if your hip pain stems from inflammation, such as arthritis or bursitis. During the procedure, our back pain doctors administer corticosteroids directly into the inflamed area of your hip joint to reduce swelling and alleviate discomfort.
Steroid injections can offer significant pain relief within a few days, making it easier for you to walk, sit, and move around without constant discomfort. Unlike oral medications, which need to pass through your entire system, steroid injections target the source of your pain directly, providing quicker and more effective relief. The effects of steroid injections can last anywhere from a few weeks to several months, depending on the severity of your condition. This gives you time to participate in physical therapy and lifestyle adjustments.
2. Radiofrequency Ablation
When your hip pain is caused by nerve irritation, radiofrequency ablation (RFA) might be the solution you need. This procedure uses heat generated from radiofrequency energy to disrupt the pain signals traveling through the nerves in your hip. By targeting specific nerves, RFA can reduce or eliminate chronic pain for several months and, in some cases, for years.
What sets radiofrequency ablation apart is its ability to provide long-term relief. Unlike medications or injections, which may need to be repeated regularly, RFA can deliver results that last far longer, making it an ideal option for patients looking for a more sustained solution to their hip pain. Patients often report improved mobility and the ability to return to normal activities without the persistent pain that used to hold them back. If you’ve tried other treatments without success, ask our back pain doctors whether RFA might be a good fit for your hip pain treatment.
3. Viscosupplementation for Arthritis
If your hip pain is caused by arthritis, particularly osteoarthritis, viscosupplementation could be the right treatment. This treatment involves injecting hyaluronic acid into the hip joint to lubricate it, improve mobility, and reduce pain. As cartilage breaks down in arthritic joints, the bones rub together, causing pain and stiffness. Viscosupplementation helps restore the joint’s natural lubrication, making movement smoother and less painful.
While viscosupplementation won’t reverse arthritis, it can significantly reduce your symptoms. Patients often find that they can walk and move with far greater ease after the injections. This treatment is particularly useful for those who have tried other therapies without much success and are looking for a non-surgical option to manage their arthritis-related hip pain.
4. Genicular Nerve Block
For patients suffering from severe hip pain that hasn’t responded well to other treatments, a genicular nerve block may provide targeted relief. This minimally invasive procedure works by injecting anesthetic medication around the nerves responsible for sending pain signals from the hip. Once the nerves are blocked, pain relief can be immediate.
The genicular nerve block is particularly useful for patients with hip pain related to arthritis or post-surgical discomfort. It can also help diagnose the source of pain. If the nerve block is effective, it confirms that the targeted nerves are responsible for your symptoms, which can guide further treatment options, such as radiofrequency ablation. This procedure is safe and quick and can be repeated if needed.
5. Trigger Point Injections
Sometimes, hip pain isn’t caused by joint or nerve issues but by muscle tension and inflammation. If your pain originates from tight or irritated muscles around the hip, trigger point injections could be the solution. These injections contain a combination of anesthetic and anti-inflammatory medications injected directly into the painful areas, known as trigger points, to release muscle tension and relieve pain.
Trigger point injections are ideal for patients with conditions such as myofascial pain syndrome or muscle spasms. Often, these injections can provide immediate relief and help you return to activities that had previously been too painful. By targeting the muscles directly, this treatment offers a localized solution that can ease discomfort without affecting other parts of your body. Visit your nearest pain clinic to discuss trigger point injections with our specialists.
Find the Right Hip Pain Treatment for You
When hip pain interferes with your ability to enjoy life, it’s important to seek expert care. At VIP Medical Group, we offer a variety of minimally invasive pain treatments that provide lasting relief without the need for surgery or opioids. Whether it’s through steroid injections, radiofrequency ablation, viscosupplementation, genicular nerve blocks, or trigger point injections, our hip pain specialists will work with you to develop a treatment plan tailored to your unique needs.
We aim to help you regain mobility, reduce pain, and improve your overall quality of life. And with clinics in New York, Long Island, and New Jersey, finding a back pain doctor or neck pain treatment specialist near you has never been easier. Remember, most of our treatments are covered by medical insurance, so don’t hesitate to contact us to schedule a consultation and start your journey toward pain relief.