Hip arthritis is a progressive disorder that causes pain and stiffness in the hip joint. While there is no cure for arthritis, there are several ways to manage pain and improve mobility. Here are some non-surgical treatments for hip arthritis:
- Activity modifications: Avoid activities that aggravate hip arthritis, such as running, jumping, and other high-impact exercises.
- Lifestyle modifications: Weight loss can help reduce stress on the hip joint, and dietary choices, type and level of physical activity, use of tobacco and alcohol, and getting appropriate care for other mental and physical health conditions can contribute to hip arthritis.
- Physical therapy exercises: Engaging in low-impact exercises and activities, such as swimming and cycling, and remaining physically active are key to managing hip arthritis symptoms. Physical therapy exercises can help improve strength in the hip.
- Heat therapy: Heating pads can help soothe inflammation in the hip.
- Medications and injections: Anti-inflammatory medications, such as ibuprofen, naproxen, and aspirin, can help alleviate the inflammation and pain. Corticosteroid injections, hyaluronic acid injections, platelet-rich plasma injections, vitamin and mineral supplements, and immunosuppressive or biologic medicines can also help.
It is important to note that these treatments wont alter or reverse the underlying condition of the impaired joint, but they can help alleviate the symptoms associated with hip pain and help you postpone more dramatic interventions, such as joint replacement surgery.
