Hip pain – we’ve all been there. Sometimes you wake up a little stiff, you sit for too long or you get a bit too intense during your morning workout. It usually goes away on its own or with a little help from an ice pack or warm bath.
But for some people, it’s more than just an ache or a pain to be rested away. Chronic hip pain can impact your ability to complete daily tasks or do the things you once loved. If that sounds familiar, we understand how frustrating and isolating it can be. But you’re not alone. In fact, it’s estimated that around 10% of the population experiences chronic hip pain. And the good news is that you have options.
There are many forms of treatment that can help those with significant hip pain, from conservative to surgical. Typically, your doctor will start with gentler, less invasive forms of care, like medicine or therapy. But what if they don’t help? Is it time to consider a hip replacement?
Let’s take a look at six of the common signs you may need a hip replacement, including symptoms, conditions that may increase your likelihood of needing one, and more.
1. You’re experiencing chronic, significant hip pain
Typically, hip pain involves the hip joint itself, which is a ball-and-socket joint that connects your thigh bone and your hip bone. It’s cushioned by a band of cartilage that helps the bones move in their socket without grinding against each other.
As we age, that cartilage gets less dense due to daily use, age-related changes, injury and chronic conditions like arthritis. It’s normal to occasionally experience some stiffness, but frequent bouts of radiating or intense pain in the groin, upper thigh or outside of your hip are cause for concern.
Pain symptoms that may indicate a larger issue include:
- Chronic pain that doesn’t improve with pain medicine
- Pain that interferes with sleep, mental health or your daily activities
- Intense or frequent hip pain that persists when you’re at rest
If you’re experiencing this kind of pain, it could be a sign that overall hip joint wear and tear is worsening. And that’s not something you should wait out.
It’s important to listen to your body and touch base with your doctor about these symptoms. While there are plenty of nonsurgical treatments your doctor may suggest first, sometimes these symptoms may indicate that you’re a candidate for hip replacement.
2. You’ve been diagnosed with advanced arthritis or significant hip joint damage
There are many reasons a hip can hurt, and it’s not always easy to understand why. The hip is a complicated structure comprising bones, ligaments, tendons and other tissues. While some reasons for pain may be more obvious, like a recent injury, other issues can be tough to detect. And there are many common conditions that can cause the kind of hip pain that may lead to a hip replacement.
Hip arthritis
Arthritis is a common condition that involves the deterioration of cartilage at a joint. There are many types of arthritis, but there are two that commonly come with hip pain:
- Osteoarthritis, in which cartilage begins to break down
- Rheumatoid arthritis, in which the immune system itself begins attacking the joint
Arthritis can be painful, affect mobility and may worsen over time without treatment. The cause of arthritis depends on which type you have, but it’s most likely to occur as you age. Your doctor can diagnose hip arthritis by looking at your symptoms or medical history, or by conducting imaging or blood tests.
Osteonecrosis
Osteonecrosis is a condition where you experience a disruption of blood flow in your bones. While often thought of as solid sediment, bones are made up of living material and a system of blood vessels that need to stay healthy. When that function is disrupted, bone tissue can break down and even collapse joints in their sockets.
Doctors can identify osteonecrosis through diagnostic testing, like an X-ray or MRI, and often this condition requires surgical treatment.
3. Your range of motion is limited or becoming more limited
As mentioned, it’s normal for the hip joint to lose flexibility as you get older. And while that’s not something to be too concerned about – you can stay active at any age – it might still limit your range of motion.
However, these limitations shouldn’t impact your ability to do everyday tasks. Certain mobility-based signs indicate that hip issues may be more complicated than just typical aging, such as:
- Pain or stiffness that worsens when you’re active
- Hip pain that doesn’t lessen with a mobility aid like a cane or walker
- Pain that limits your ability to climb stairs, crouch or rise from a seated position
Another thing to consider is that this pain often starts a cycle of inactivity. If you’re hurting, it’s harder to get around, and you may have less motivation to do so. Decreased mobility will in turn weaken your muscles, tendons and bone strength.
4. Your hip is stiff
Stiffness may not always indicate a larger problem. Some days you’re more active than others, like if you push it too hard exercising or go to a community event with a lot of walking. Mild overuse or injury is something you can treat at home.
However, if stiffness is frequent and severe, it may be time to check in with your doctor to see if there’s a larger issue at play. Sometimes reasons for stiffness are more obvious, but in some cases, it can indicate an underlying issue, like a more serious injury, gout, arthritis or another condition you need addressed. See your doctor immediately if, alongside stiffness, you experience fever or increased redness and warmth, or if you are unable to move.
5. You notice changes in your hip’s appearance or hear new sounds
It’s always a bit jarring when the body does something unexpected, especially when it starts making a new sound or it looks a little different. These can be warning signs, especially where the hip is concerned. It’s important to listen.
Sometimes when the muscles or tendons supporting the hip joint are compromised, you may hear a sound (like a snap or click) when you move. This may not be accompanied by pain or stiffness, but often is, and it can indicate a larger problem, such as intense wear and tear or cartilage damage.
6. Other hip pain treatment options haven’t worked or lost their effectiveness
Before your doctor recommends a hip replacement, they’ll typically prescribe more conservative forms of treatment first. Surgery is rarely the first option when there are less invasive treatments available.
Depending on your symptoms and what may be causing them, common treatments can include:
- Rest
- Ice and heat therapy
- Medications
- Assistance devices, such as walkers and canes
- Exercise or physical therapy
If these treatment options don’t provide relief, or they once did but are no longer effective, it may be time to discuss hip replacement with your doctor.
What to do if you think you need a hip replacement
If you’re experiencing any of these symptoms or warning signs, it’s time to schedule an appointment with your orthopedic doctor to talk about a possible hip replacement surgery.
During this appointment, you’ll have the opportunity to talk about symptoms with your doctor and discuss treatment options. If they determine a hip replacement is the best treatment option for you, you’ll be able to talk next steps and what you can expect before, during and after hip surgery. Make sure you’re scheduling time with a doctor you trust. At TRIA, our orthopedic doctors will help you build the best treatment plan for you.
