Hip Pain

What Is Hip Pain?

When you have hip pain, it may be uncomfortable to sit, stand, or even sleep. Find out what’s causing your hip pain and get treatment from the pain management specialists at CHOICE Pain & Rehabilitation Center in Olney, Rosedale, Hyattsville, Lanham, Gaithersburg, Dundalk, and Baltimore, Maryland. With offices serving Maryland and the Washington, D.C. area, you can get the care you need close to work or home and begin your recovery sooner.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What are the signs of a hip injury?

Hip injuries can develop suddenly after trauma, or you may experience chronic pain and dysfunction over weeks, months, or years. Some signs of a hip injury include:

Deep, aching pain in your hip
Decreased range of motion and stiffness
Range of motion that improves with movement
Feeling like your hip is “sticking” or locking
Sensation that your hip may give out underneath you
Popping, cracking, or clunking in your hip

If you experience any of these symptoms, see the team at CHOICE Pain & Rehabilitation Center for a thorough exam and appropriate treatment.

What causes hip pain?

Various conditions can cause pain in the front, side, or back of your hip. Common causes of hip pain include:

Arthritis
Avascular necrosis
Labral tears
Anatomical changes
Bursitis
Piriformis syndrome
Iliotibial band (ITB) tendinitis
Snapping hip syndrome
Osteoporosis

Hip pain can occur in anyone, no matter their age or lifestyle. Certain factors may increase your risk of developing hip pain, such as being overweight, over the age of 45, female, and having certain hereditary conditions that affect your joints or cartilage.

What tests are available to diagnose hip pain?

The team uses a variety of physical, orthopedic, and specialized tests to determine the cause of your hip pain. Your exam may include:

Range of motion test
Joint structure and function tests
Balance tests
Muscle strength tests
Nerve function tests
X-rays
MRI
CT scan
DEXA scan

In some cases, the team may also recommend blood tests to check for inflammatory arthritis or other conditions that may affect your hip.

How is hip pain treated?

The team provides a variety of treatment options to manage and reduce hip pain symptoms. Depending on your diagnosis, the team may recommend:

Exercises and stretches
Physical therapy and rehab
Hot and cold therapy
Lifestyle or behavior modifications
Electrical stimulation
Anti-inflammatory medications
Interventional pain management, such as joint or steroid injections

Generally, treatment has two phases. The first phase focuses on reducing your pain and any inflammation or swelling in your hip. As you begin to feel better, the team incorporates exercises and rehab protocols during your second phase of treatment.

This second phase of treatment aims to resolve the underlying functional issues in your hip, making it more flexible and strengthening the muscles surrounding it. In many cases, the second phase includes at-home exercises you can perform to speed up your healing process.