Hip pain in old age is more common than you think. About 50% of older adults report having hip or knee pain. Fortunately, there are things you can do to feel better about yourself.
What causes hip pain?
Hip pain can be caused by arthritis, injury, pinched nerves, or other causes such as cancer. Where you have hip pain can help pinpoint the cause. You can probably feel it on the inside of your hip or groin. If you have pain near your thigh, the outside of your hips, or the outer part of your buttocks, the pain is likely due to another problem in the ligaments, muscles, tendons, or other tissues near your hip.
Roy I. Davidovitch, MD, associate professor of orthopedic surgery at NYU Langone Health with Julia Koch, says inflammation around the waist is not uncommon. It often has to do with “altered gait mechanics” or how you move.
“The most common thing that happens as you get older is that you can inflame bursa,” says Davidovitch. If you have inflammation in the bursa of your hip, you will likely feel it when you move.
“When you start walking, it can irritate the bursa because of this imbalance, and that’s usually the type of hip pain that feels tender,” he says. “People feel like they can push the pain as they walk, and it’s right on the side of the hip. It’s actually the bump on the side of my hip that most people call my hip. “
Davidovitch said that hip joint pain is usually in the groin, the place where your lower abdomen and thigh meet. Although there are many reasons your hip might be injured, hip osteoarthritis could be the answer. It’s pretty common as you get older.
“It can hurt when you sit, sleep, walk, and it’s not the kind of pain that you can squeeze or touch. It’s deeper inside. I’ve heard my patients describe it as a toothache, ”he says.
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Ways to prevent hip pain
Kevin Perry, an orthopedist at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN, says there are many ways to prevent hip pain.
“In general, the best way to prevent hip pain in old age is to maintain a healthy weight, participate in a regular, low-impact exercise program, and keep bones strong and healthy,” he says.
“There are certain things that I think are really good for your hips, especially from an exercise standpoint,” says Davidovitch. “Getting on a bike is very good for all the joints below the waist – your hips, your knees, your ankles – but definitely for your hips.”
Other things you can do to prevent hip pain include:
- Clear the walking areas in your home to avoid falls.
- Warm up and cool down before and after training.
- Do not exercise when you are in great pain.
- Maintain a healthy weight as extra weight can put more pressure on your joints.
- Do sports regularly.
- Stretch each day to maintain flexibility in your hip.
- Use a stroller or walking stick if necessary.
- Wear good shoes.
Perry also suggests avoiding high impact sports that put pressure on your joints. High impact sports include:
- basketball
- Soccer
-
To run
- volleyball
What to do if you have hip pain
If your hip pain isn’t severe, you can try self-care tips, including:
- Heat or ice. A warm shower or bath can prepare your body for stretching exercises to relieve pain. On the other hand, you can try putting a bag of frozen vegetables or ice cubes wrapped in a towel on your hip.
- Painkiller. Over-the-counter pain relievers such as ibuprofen and acetaminophen can also help.
- Rest. Try not to put direct pressure on the joint or to bend your hips too much. Don’t sit down for long and try not to sleep on the side that hurts.
Davidovitch said there are a couple of things you can do to relieve hip pain.
“If you start to have hip pain, you probably don’t want to be a runner,” he says. “Before I send someone out for physical therapy, I want them to take a few Pilates classes first and see if this is really helping them, as Pilates is very ineffective and focuses on strengthening and toning the core.”
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Although he suggests Pilates, he says people with hip pain should skip yoga. While Pilates can improve hip pain, some types of yoga can make it worse.
“If you start to be in pain and develop arthritis or cartilage injuries in your hip early,” Davidovitch says that yoga poses that involve twisting and lounging can be harmful.
Some older adults have found relief with hip surgeries, especially hip replacements when exercise, physical therapy, and medication haven’t helped. If your doctor tells you that your hip joint is damaged or deformed, hip replacement surgery may be a good option.
“When people develop hip arthritis, unlike knee arthritis, it is a very unforgiving pain. Therefore, the average age for people who have a hip replacement is several years older than the average age for people who have had a knee replacement,” says Davidovitch.
When should I see a doctor?
You should see a doctor whenever you have hip pain that gets in the way of everyday life, says Davidovitch. If the pain isn’t responding to rest or over-the-counter pain medication, you’re unable to carry weight through your hip, or if your symptoms suddenly change, it’s time to see a doctor, Perry says.
Constant use of anti-inflammatories isn’t good for you, especially as you get older. The older you get, the more you want to avoid the anti-inflammatory drugs, says Davidovitch.
Let your doctor know if you have hip pain. They can advise you when you need to see a specialist such as an orthopedic surgeon.
You should go to the emergency room if you are injured and have hip pain that is accompanied by symptoms such as:
- Problems moving your hips or legs
- You cannot move your hip or leg
- You notice that your joint looks deformed
- Severe pain
- Signs of infection such as redness, chills, or fever
- Sudden swelling
swell
SWELL:
The Journal for Nurse Practitioners: “Exercises for Older Adults With Knee and Hip Pain.”
Mayo Clinic: “Hip Pain: Symptoms.”
MaineHealth: “Hip Pain | Hip injuries. “
University of Utah Health: “When Should You Have a Hip Replacement?”
Roy I. Davidovitch, MD, Julia Koch, Associate Professor of Orthopedic Surgery, NYU Langone Health.
Kevin Perry, MD, Orthopedist, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN.
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