Hip pain

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Skeleton

Pain - hip

• Try to avoid activities that aggravate the pain.
• Take over-the-counter pain medication, like ibuprofen or acetaminophen.
• Sleep on your non-painful side with a pillow between your legs.

A hip fracture is considered a medical emergency. Therefore, if suspected, you should be seen right away.

As the pain improves, gradually begin to exercise. It is best to work with a physical therapist to learn proper exercises and how to advance your activity. Swimming may be a good option because it stretches the muscles and builds good muscle tone without straining your hip joint. However, swimming does not build bone mass. When you are ready (a physical therapist can help determine that), slowly and carefully resume walking or another activity against the resistance of gravity.

Go to a hospital or call 911 if:

• Your hip pain is caused by a fall or other injury.
• Your hip is misshapen, badly bruised, or bleeding.
• You are unable to move your hip or bear any weight.

Call your doctor if:

• Your hip is still painful after 1 week of home treatment.
• You also have a fever or rash.
• You have sudden hip pain, plus sickle cell anemia or long-term steroid use.
• You have pain in both hips or other joints.

Your health care provider will perform a physical examination, with careful attention to your hips, thighs, back, and gait.

To help diagnose the cause of the problem, your doctor will ask medical history questions, such as:

• Do you have pain in one or both hips?
• Do you have pain elsewhere like your lower back or thigh?
• Do you have pain in other joints?
• Did your pain begin suddenly, or slowly and mildly?
• Did the pain begin after an injury, fall, or accident?
• Does any particular activity make the pain worse?
• Have you done anything to try to relieve the pain? If so, what helps?
• Are you able to walk and bear weight?
• What other medical problems do you have? Osteoporosis or other signs of bone loss? Sickle cell anemia?
• Do you take any medications? If so, which ones? If on steroids, for how long have you been on them?