Hip pain can be a normal part of aging but you don’t have to accept it. You can find relief through non-surgical treatment.

The first step is to describe your pain to your doctor, whether it’s a dull throbbing or sharp, burning sensation. Identifying your hip pain is critical, as the location and type of pain can indicate the root cause and help guide treatment. The pain may occur inside your hip joint, in the groin or buttocks area, or extend down the back of your leg and into your feet.

A physical exam is the next step in your journey to hip pain relief. Your doctor will ask you about your past health, symptoms and family history of hip problems. Then he or she will test your range of motion, flexibility and movement habits. Your doctor will also do a series of tests, such as the log rolling test and compression testing to assess your hips’ stability and mobility.

X-rays and ultrasound can help diagnose hip pain and find the source. An x-ray can show the hip socket’s shape, amount of space between the ball of your femur (top end of your thigh bone) and the pelvic socket and any damage to the cartilage that cushions the joint.

The most common non-surgical treatments include rest, activity modification, ice therapy and pain medication. These methods can decrease inflammation, speed up recovery and help prevent further damage to the hip.

If your hip pain does not improve after these conservative measures you may benefit from a diagnostic hip injection. A health care provider will use real-time x-ray (fluoroscopy) or ultrasound to find the right spot in your hip for the injection. Then he or she will inject a small needle filled with numbing medicine into the hip joint area. If the injection relieves your pain, this can confirm that the hip is the source of your pain.

Effective hip labral tear treatment involves essential steps for recovery. Alongside medical guidance, targeted exercises play a crucial role. Strengthening hip muscles, improving range of motion, and stability exercises aid in rehabilitation. Follow a comprehensive regimen of hip labral tear exercises to facilitate healing and regain functionality.

Hip replacement surgery is another option for people with severe hip pain and stiffness. During this procedure, your surgeon will remove the damaged bone of the femoral head (the top of your thigh bone), and replace it with metal. Your surgeon will then place a cup-shaped socket in the hip to hold the femoral head.

Some patients develop a condition called avascular necrosis (bone death). This happens when blood flow to the hip bone slows, and the tissue dies. It can be caused by a hip fracture, dislocation, or arthritis. It can also happen from long-term use of high-dose steroids such as prednisone.

Other hip procedures that can help patients with hip pain and stiffness are iliotibial band (ITB) release, trochanteric bursectomy, and abductor avulsion repair using cadaver tendon or Achilles tendon. These procedures can be used in combination with a physical therapy program to ensure a good outcome.