Hip Pain

Hip pain can affect your ability to walk, exercise, work, and enjoy everyday activities. Whether pain develops gradually over time or occurs suddenly after an injury, hip conditions can impact mobility, strength, and overall quality of life.

Hip pain may result from a variety of conditions including arthritis, bursitis, tendon injuries, fractures, hip impingement, muscle strains, or overuse injuries. Pain may be felt in the hip joint itself or radiate into the groin, thigh, lower back, or knee.

At Wisconsin River Orthopaedics, our specialists use advanced diagnostic tools and personalized treatment plans to identify the cause of your pain and provide effective care. Treatment options may include physical therapy, injections, minimally invasive procedures, and surgical treatment when needed. Our goal is to reduce pain, restore movement, and help you return to the activities you enjoy. 

What are common causes of hip pain?

Your hip is a sturdy ball-and-socket joint that allows you to move and twist your legs with a wide range of motion. The head of your femur (thigh bone) fits into a socket in your pelvis and is secured by a network of ligaments and tendons; the labrum and articular cartilage protect your hip joint.

As a result of the many moving parts, your hip joint is vulnerable to a variety of injuries and degenerative conditions. Tendinitis and arthritis are the two most common causes of hip pain. Tendinitis is usually due to excessive exercise that irritates and inflames your tendons, while arthritis causes inflammation in your joints, leading to pain, stiffness, and mobility problems.

Other common causes of hip pain include:

  • Bursitis
  • Hip fractures
  • Labral tears
  • Snapping hip syndrome

Osteoporosis can also increase your risk of hip pain. As your bones become weak and porous, your risk of a fracture rises.

When should I talk to a doctor about hip pain?

If you have a mild injury, your pain should subside with a few days of rest and at-home care. If your pain persists or intensifies instead of getting better, it’s time to talk to the team at Wisconsin River Orthopaedics.

You should also make an appointment if your hip pain limits your mobility, interferes with your sleep, or otherwise disrupts your quality of life.

How is the cause of hip pain diagnosed?

The team at Wisconsin River Orthopaedics provides comprehensive physical exams to evaluate your condition and identify the cause of your hip pain. After reviewing your symptoms, medical history, and lifestyle, they examine your hips and the rest of your body.

Wisconsin River Orthopaedics also offers in-office open MRIs. This diagnostic imaging test creates an image of the inside of your hip, providing details that allow your physician to confirm and evaluate your condition.

How is hip pain treated?

After diagnosing the root cause of your hip pain, Wisconsin River Orthopaedics creates a personalized treatment plan to alleviate your pain and heal the underlying condition. Depending on your needs, your provider may recommend physical therapy, anti-inflammatory medication, or surgery.

The orthopaedic surgeons at Wisconsin River Orthopaedics have extensive experience in hip replacement surgery. They use state-of-the-art technology to perform your surgery, aiming to minimize your pain and help you get back to your regular activities quickly and safely.

Anterior hip replacement is a surgical procedure that involves replacing the damaged or diseased hip joint with an artificial joint. The term "anterior" refers to the location of the incision, which is made at the front of the hip joint. This is in contrast to the traditional "posterior" approach, which involves making an incision at the back of the hip.

During an anterior hip replacement, the surgeon makes a small incision at the front of the hip joint, usually between the muscles and tendons. This allows for less disturbance to the surrounding muscles, which may lead to a quicker recovery time and less postoperative pain. The surgeon then removes the damaged or diseased parts of the hip joint and replaces them with an artificial joint made of metal, plastic, or ceramic components.

Anterior hip replacement has some potential benefits over the traditional posterior approach. However, not all patients are suitable candidates for the anterior approach, and the decision of which approach to use should be made by the patient and their surgeon based on individual factors and preferences.