When Hip Pain Shouldn’t Be Ignored

Hip pain can make everyday activities feel like a challenge. Whether you're walking the dog, climbing stairs, shopping, or simply getting out of a chair, ongoing hip pain can affect your mobility and quality of life.

While occasional soreness after exercise or physical activity is common, persistent hip pain isn't something you have to live with. If pain or stiffness is making it difficult to keep up with your daily routine or enjoy the activities you love, it may be time to see an orthopedic specialist.

Common Symptoms of Hip Problems

Hip pain doesn't always feel the same from person to person. It may develop gradually over time or begin after an injury. Common symptoms include:

Pain in the groin, outer hip, buttock, or upper thigh
Stiffness, especially after sitting or first thing in the morning
Pain that worsens with walking, standing, or climbing stairs
Difficulty putting on shoes and socks
Reduced range of motion or trouble bending at the hip
A limp or difficulty walking
Pain that wakes you up at night or keeps you from sleeping
Clicking, catching, or grinding sensations when moving the hip

Sometimes, pain that seems to be in the knee or thigh actually originates in the hip joint. An orthopedic evaluation can help identify the source of your pain and determine the appropriate treatment.

What Causes Hip Pain?

Hip pain can result from many different conditions. Some of the most common include:

Osteoarthritis (wear-and-tear arthritis)
Bursitis
Tendon or muscle injuries
Labral tears
Hip impingement (femoroacetabular impingement)
Fractures
Inflammatory arthritis, such as rheumatoid arthritis

One of the most common reasons adults seek orthopedic care for chronic hip pain is osteoarthritis, a condition that occurs when the cartilage cushioning the hip joint gradually wears away. As arthritis progresses, simple activities like walking, getting into a car, or standing for long periods can become increasingly painful.

Many hip conditions can be managed with appropriate treatment. Depending on the cause and severity of your symptoms, treatment may include physical therapy, medications, injections, activity modifications, or surgery.

When Should Hip Pain Be Evaluated?

Hip pain that continues for weeks or interferes with your daily activities may be a sign that it's time to seek care. While some discomfort may improve with rest, ongoing or worsening symptoms shouldn't be ignored.

Consider scheduling an appointment with an orthopedic specialist if you:

Have hip pain that lasts more than a few weeks despite rest
Experience pain during everyday activities such as walking, shopping, or climbing stairs
Have stiffness that limits your mobility or makes it difficult to get dressed
Notice your pain is getting worse instead of better
Wake up because of hip pain during the night
Find that over-the-counter medications are no longer providing enough relief
Have difficulty keeping up with the activities you normally enjoy

An orthopedic evaluation can help identify the cause of your symptoms and determine which treatment options may be appropriate for you.

Seeking care before pain significantly limits your mobility may also help you manage your symptoms and maintain your independence.

If you experience severe hip pain after a fall or injury, cannot bear weight on your leg, or notice a sudden change in your ability to walk, seek prompt medical attention.

Personalized Treatment Options

Not every patient with hip pain needs surgery. At Jefferson County Health Center (JCHC), Dr. AJ Friessen provides personalized orthopedic care designed around each patient's symptoms, lifestyle, and goals.

Depending on the cause and severity of your hip pain, nonsurgical treatment options may include:

Activity modification
Physical therapy
Anti-inflammatory medications, when appropriate
Joint injections
Weight management, when appropriate

For some patients, these treatments may help reduce pain, improve mobility, and make everyday activities more manageable.

However, when hip arthritis has progressed to the point that pain limits your daily activities and nonsurgical treatments no longer provide enough relief, hip replacement may be an option.

Dr. Friessen offers anterior hip replacement, a surgical approach that accesses the hip joint from the front of the body. This technique allows the surgeon to work between muscles rather than detaching them, which may help some patients experience less pain during early recovery and return to everyday activities sooner.

Not every patient is a candidate for anterior hip replacement. Dr. Friessen will evaluate your symptoms, medical history, and individual needs to determine which treatment options may be appropriate for you.

Why Choose JCHC for Your Hip Care?

Whether your goal is to return to work, enjoy time with family, stay active, or simply walk with less pain, our orthopedic team is committed to helping you get there.

Dr. AJ Friessen provides orthopedic care for patients of all ages, specializing in shoulder, knee, and hip surgery. He also offers anterior hip replacement for patients who may benefit from this surgical approach.

From your initial evaluation through treatment and recovery, our team focuses on providing personalized care to help you reduce pain, restore mobility, and return to the activities that matter most to you.

Take the First Step Toward Relief

If hip pain is affecting your daily life, schedule an appointment with Dr. AJ Friessen to discuss your symptoms and explore your treatment options.

Whether you may benefit from conservative care or surgical treatment, our orthopedic team is here to help you get back to the activities you enjoy.

To schedule an appointment, call the JCHC Professional Clinic at 641-469-4204.

Sources

American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. Osteoarthritis of the Hip

American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. Total Hip Replacement

Johns Hopkins Medicine. Hip Problems

Johnson & Johnson MedTech. ANTERIOR ADVANTAGE™ Resource Packet