Preparing For Your Hip Pain Visit

Hip pain is one of the most common disorders affecting many patients over the age of 50 across United States and around the world. Some patients believe that they have to live with hip pain and there’s not much that can be done – it is just a byproduct of aging. However, over the past 30 to 40 years, we have made incredible advances in the treatment of hip pain. Today, the treatment of hip pain is not only safer, but more effective than ever. Most importantly, you must seek professional advice to get a proper diagnosis and learn more about your options.

So how do you prepare for a visit with your medical team and who should you be speaking to?

Speak to Your Primary Care Physician

While you may ultimately get a referral to a specialist, speaking to your primary care physician is usually the first step in treating your hip pain. Have a frank and honest conversation with your PCP about the location, severity and duration of the pain. If the pain is interfering with your daily life, it may be time to insist on a referral to an orthopedic surgeon who can offer a wide range of non-surgical and surgical treatment options depending on the ultimate diagnosis.

Speak to Your Family Members

Family and friends around you will be part of the support team should you choose to undergo surgery for your hip pain. It is important that they understand your condition because they will play a role in your recovery. Even non-surgical conservative options such as lifestyle change, in the form of losing weight are always more successful with buy-in from family and friends

Choose the Right Specialist

A highly experienced orthopedic surgeon that specializes in diseases of the hip is your best bet. Why? Because orthopedic surgeons such as Dr. Manning have seen it all. Having performed thousands of hip procedures over the years, Dr. Manning can offer an accurate diagnosis and proper expectations both for non-surgical and surgical treatment options.

Keep an Open Mind

Just because you have hip pain does not mean you need a hip replacement. Some cases of hip pain maybe minor inflammation in the joint which can be relieved with a Cortisone injection or can be helped with physical therapy. While orthopedic surgeons may specialize in the surgical treatment of diseases, we always look for the most conservative options first.

Surgery May Not Be as Drastic as It Seems

Hip replacement surgery has improved both in safety and efficacy over the past three decades. Today, patients are walking on the same day of surgery, they are out of the hospital within one to take two days after the procedure and are back to their normal lifestyle within 4 to 6 weeks. While hip replacement is reserved for significant arthritis in the hip or other causes of degeneration, patients who have serious lifestyle impediments due to the hip pain should consider it as a long-term curative and safe option to regain their lifestyle.

The Bottom Line

There’s no reason why patients today should suffer from debilitating hip pain. Orthopedic surgeons have more non-surgical and surgical tools at their disposal than ever before and virtually every patient suffering from hip pain can experience the relief needed to return to a more normal life. To schedule a consultation with Dr. Manning for your hip pain, please contact us.