Your hips are two of the largest joints in your body. They support your body weight whether you’re sitting or standing, and they carry you with each step you take.
But unfortunately, your hips’ ball-and-socket construction makes them uniquely susceptible to wear-and-tear, degeneration, and injury. Hip pain is incredibly common among adults of all ages, and your risk goes up as you get older.
Nearly 15% of Americans over age 60 report significant hip pain, but many hesitate to visit an orthopaedic specialist. It’s not always easy to know when your symptoms necessitate more advanced care, and at Cascade Orthopaedics, we’re here to help.
When you notice pain, you may schedule an appointment with your primary care provider as a first step. Primary care doctors can diagnose and treat a range of common issues, but joint pain can be complex and difficult to treat effectively.
Orthopedic providers specialize in bone, joint, and muscle problems, and our team has extensive experience in joint pain management. Consider scheduling an appointment with a hip pain specialist if:
A strenuous workout or an unusual sleeping position can make your hip feel stiff and sore. But these acute issues typically disappear within a few hours or days, and they don’t have a significant impact on your daily routine.
On the other hand, chronic hip pain can limit your mobility day in and day out. If you find yourself avoiding physical activity and changing your daily activities because the hip pain is too severe, see a specialist to find a treatment plan that improves your quality of life.
Osteoarthritis is a leading cause of hip pain. Also called wear-and-tear arthritis, it develops when the bones and cartilage in your joints wear down over time. It makes joints stiff, swollen, and painful, but there are many treatment options available.
Conservative hip arthritis care typically includes:
But more severe arthritis and other types of injury may not respond to these conservative measures. If your treatment isn’t doing enough to relieve your pain, our specialists may be able to offer more advanced treatment, like joint injections or total joint replacement surgery.
Hip pain from arthritis and common sports injuries is often simple to diagnose. But sometimes, pinpointing the cause of your joint pain isn’t so easy.
If you’ve undergone diagnostic testing, but doctors still haven’t been able to find the reason for your pain, an orthopedic specialist may be able to help. We offer comprehensive pain management and partner with you to discover the root cause, so we can develop a more effective way to treat it.
Don’t let hip pain limit your life. Schedule an appointment with our orthopedic specialists for a comprehensive treatment plan that’s right for your needs. Contact us to get started today. Our offices are in Bonney Lake and Auburn, Washington.