Hip Pain Treatment: Cost and Side Effects

Hip pain can be due to many reasons. In some cases, the hip pain is very temporary, while in others, it may become the cause of other severe problems which interfere with your daily activities. A number of reasons include arthritis, fracture, sprain, avascular necrosis, muscle strain, Gaucher’s disease and hematoma among many others. When hip problems are moderate then home remedies and simple medication can help solve the problem. But in cases with a severe pain and problem, surgery for your hip may be required. The surgeries and medications required to treat the problem of hip pain depend on the characteristics, nature, intensity and duration of the pain.

Consulting a physician is the first step to understanding the problem. Hip pain is diagnosed with a medical history and physical examination of the patient. Pain aggravating positions are detected by externally and internally moving the hips. Imaging studies like X-Rays, CT Scans and MRI scans may be used by specialists to diagnose the problem further. In some cases, nuclear medical bone scans are also used in order to image the fractured or inflamed bone. Home remedies are also another way to treat hip pain which are not that severe and can be treated easily.

In some cases, over the counter medications can be helpful in dealing with the problem easily. Medicines like acetaminophen, ibuprofen and naproxen can be used to reduce the inflammation and pain. However, these over the counter medication may have side effects, in the case of older people. Therefore, it is advised to consult a physician before taking any medication.

In cases where the hip pain is associated to an underlying cause or condition, proper treatment can only start after consulting the doctor and working on the underlying cause as well. Resting may be helpful in cases where the pain is caused due to walking aggressively or running too much. Apart from medications which depend on the nature of the pain, therapies can also prove to be helpful in many cases. Therapies can help in maintaining the range of movement and strength of the pain. A surgery can also be needed if the case becomes serious and is obstructing your daily activities. Hip fracture is one of those cases in which surgery is required. However, the health of the patient needs to be considered before starting the surgery. Hip replacement surgery is needed in cases where joint replacement is required. Patients with arthritis mostly need a hip replacement surgery. Hip arthroscopy has also become relatively popular to treat the hip joint damage.

Individuals who show symptoms like swelling over the hip region, a groin or a joint pain, limping, losing of motion of the hip, difficulty in sleeping due to the pain, etc are all eligible for the treatment. However, it is important to note that the symptoms differ depending on the nature and cause of the pain. The intensity of the pain will also vary from mild to severe.

Any individual who does not show symptoms of hip pain is not eligible for the treatment.

Over the counter medications like ibuprofen, naproxen and acetaminophen have side effects like drowsiness, constipation, diarrhea, upsetting stomach, bloating mild itching, ringing in the ears among other problems. Hip replacement surgeries can also have its own set of complications like dislocation, fracture, infection and change in the length of the leg.

After going through a hip replacement surgery, patients need to be careful about not putting too much stress on the body. Doing gentle exercises is permissible. Driving is not allowed to such patients for a reasonable period of time. For minor hip pain problems, individuals can resume their daily activities without taking a long break. Appropriate exercises are recommended by doctors to keep healthy and fit.

For a hip replacement surgery, a period of 12 weeks may be needed to get back to your daily activities without any problem. You can start doing the light activities after 3-6 weeks of the surgery. For mild hip pain problems, patients can recover within a matter of days or weeks, depending on the underlying cause of the pain.

A hip surgery can cost you around Rs 3-8 lakhs approximately. The cost of the procedure varies from one medical facility to another. For taking over the counter medication, you may be charged Rs 100-500. The consultation fees of the doctor may start from something as low as Rs 400 and can go higher depending on the fee of the doctor.

The results of the treatment are permanent. However, patients need to be very careful about not exposing the hip to any more danger like an injury. Hip replacement surgery for older people need to be dealt with a lot of care and attention.

Using the popular method of R.I.C.E which is rest, ice, compression and elevation may also be helpful. In addition to that, supportive aids can also be provided to patients with the problem of hip pain.