As you grow older, your body naturally becomes achier, specifically in your hips, back, and knees. It’s generally considered a normal side effect of aging to have some increased discomfort, but it can occasionally signify something more serious. The most worn and used parts of your body are the ones that will begin to feel the weight of everyday life first. Your hips are a crucial part of your regular life: you sit with your hips, walk with your hips, and stand with your hips.
When you suspect your pain discomfort is more than just a consequence of aging, you must reach out to a hip specialist as soon as possible. Your physician will use a variety of diagnostic tests to determine the cause of your pain and, in turn, your treatment plan.
What Are the Common Signs of Hip Dysplasia?
The adult hip is likely to experience general wear and tear as it ages and is exposed to more and more usage. The warning signs of hip dysplasia can be easy to ignore for some, as they are easily confused with typical aches and pains. The most common indicators you may be suffering from hip dysplasia include the following:
Clicking or Popping in the Joint
Crepitus, also known as creaky joints, occurs when air seeps into the soft tissues around a joint. This friction between the bones can cause a clicking or popping sound akin to cracking your knuckles. Crepitus is usually an early indicator of hip dysplasia and has also been shown to lead to osteoarthritis as the soft tissue continues to wear down.
Limping
If you discover you are unable to walk regularly without a limp, it is essential to figure out why. Limping is an automatic response to redistribute any pain or discomfort in your hip or knee region. Finding that you favor one side over the other is a vital indicator that something may be wrong with your hip.
Sensation of Instability
Hip instability is the sensation of a wobbly hip, like your hip feels unstable or loose. This is often accompanied by pain in the hip and groin region. If undetected or untreated hip instability is the number one cause of hip dysplasia and hip osteoarthritis.
Caused by problems with the ligaments in your hip region, hip instability needs to be treated seriously and quickly. Failure to do so can result in the need for a hip replacement.
How Is Hip Dysplasia Treated?
Your course of treatment will depend on the severity of your hip dysplasia. For those with only mild conditions, your doctor will likely recommend conservative treatments such as lifestyle modification. This can include weight loss to redistribute pressure and low to moderate exercises.
If your hip dysplasia has progressed and is at risk of causing larger issues, prescription medicine, corticosteroid injections, and possibly even hip surgery will be considered. Many different versions of hip surgery are available depending on your needs, ranging from hip preservation to total hip replacement.
Experiencing Hip Pain? Speak With a Knowledgeable Specialist Today
Don’t let your pain continue without speaking to a knowledgeable specialist today. The team of experts at NJ Spine & Orthopedic has been specially trained in hip pain management and hip recovery and replacement surgery. Minimally-invasive techniques are employed to ensure a pain-free and quick process that will get you back up and running as soon as possible.
We take great pride in providing all our clients with the care and attention they deserve. For a consultation, please give us a call at (866) 553-0612 or fill out our contact form.