Which measures can help with hip pain due to arthritis?
January 19, 2022 | 30,00 EUR | answered by Fanni Helbig
Dear Doctor,
My name is Theodor Kieselbach and I have been suffering from severe hip pain for some time now, which is caused by arthritis. The pain is especially intense when walking, standing, and climbing stairs, significantly impacting my daily life. I also have trouble at night, as the pain disturbs my sleep and prevents me from getting rest.
I am very concerned that the arthritis in my hip will continue to progress and further impact my quality of life. I have already tried various pain medications, but they have only provided temporary relief. Now I am wondering what measures could help me in the long term to alleviate the hip pain caused by arthritis and enable me to live pain-free again.
Could you possibly recommend alternative treatment methods that reduce the pain and improve the mobility of my hip? Are there specific exercises or physiotherapy that could help slow down the progression of arthritis and strengthen my muscles? Or should we consider a possible surgical treatment such as a hip replacement (total hip arthroplasty)?
I would greatly appreciate your expert advice and support in developing a suitable treatment strategy for my hip pain due to arthritis.
Sincerely,
Theodor Kieselbach
Dear Mr. Kieselbach,
Thank you for your detailed description of your complaints related to hip osteoarthritis. I am sorry to hear that you are suffering from severe pain and that your daily life is greatly affected. Arthritis is a degenerative joint disease that often progresses over time and can lead to pain, stiffness, and limitations in mobility. It is important that we develop a suitable treatment strategy together to improve your quality of life and alleviate the symptoms.
First and foremost, it is important to understand that there is no cure for arthritis in the traditional sense. The goal of therapy is primarily to relieve pain, improve mobility, and maintain the function of the affected joint. There are various approaches that we can consider to help you:
1. Conservative therapy: Conservative measures include physiotherapy, physical therapy, and targeted exercises to strengthen the muscles around the hip. By building up the surrounding muscles, we can reduce the strain on the joint and improve stability. The use of orthopedic aids such as insoles, crutches, or special braces can also help alleviate pain and support mobility.
2. Drug therapy: Painkillers such as ibuprofen or paracetamol can be used short-term to alleviate symptoms. Anti-inflammatory medications such as cortisone injections may also help reduce inflammation in the joint in some cases.
3. Surgical therapy: If conservative measures are not sufficient and the pain is very severe, surgical therapy such as a total hip replacement (THR) may be considered. In this procedure, the diseased hip joint is replaced with an artificial prosthesis to relieve pain and restore mobility.
It is important that we carefully analyze your individual situation together and develop a tailored treatment strategy. I recommend scheduling an appointment in my office so that we can thoroughly discuss your hip pain and find the best possible therapy for you.
I am available at any time for further questions and information, and I look forward to helping alleviate your hip pain.
Best regards,
Fanni Helbig
