Waking up with painful, stiff hips can make for a slow start to your day. Hip pain stems from many conditions; only occasional pain may be easy to address.
Chronic or persistent hip pain is another matter. Sometimes, you can’t simply walk it off, and your condition starts to interfere with daily living. The surgical team at Bahri Orthopedics & Sports Medicine Clinic specializes in diagnosing and treating hip pain.
This month, we look at why it’s important to treat pain at its source rather than managing only the symptoms. Here’s how to know when it’s time to see a hip pain specialist.
Occasional overnight hip pain may indicate overexertion or another temporary condition that lasts a day or so. Rest and over-the-counter pain relief may be all you need.
It could be time for specialist attention when you have recurrent pain and stiffness. Below, we share five common scenarios that may signal you need to book a consultation.
Your body is largely motionless during sleep, so hip stiffness can creep in, just as it can anytime you're inactive for a prolonged stretch. This could indicate osteoarthritis or other joint conditions.
When pain and stiffness become more frequent or severe, it may be time to see one of our orthopedic surgeons for an exam to determine the cause.
Sleep is difficult if you can’t get comfortable, or if rolling over in the night wakes you up. You may not realize it, but your sleep suffers when it doesn’t cycle through all stages. You may wake feeling tired, even if you’ve slept seven hours or more.
Hip pain can prevent you from walking reasonable distances, up stairs, or even dressing yourself. Don’t accept these limitations as an automatic condition of getting older.
You may notice you have pain elsewhere that coincides with your hip condition. It may be in your lower back, down your leg, or in surrounding soft tissue. These symptoms could be connected.
Conditions such as bursitis or greater trochanteric pain syndrome cause pain on the outside of the hip. Accurate diagnosis leads to effective treatment.
When mild hip pain builds over time, it’s a strong sign to seek attention. We can assess joint function, range of motion, and strength to discover the root of your discomfort. Again, there’s no reason to accept persistent or growing hip pain.
When it’s time to see a specialist, contact Bahri Orthopedics & Sports Medicine Clinic in Jacksonville, Florida. Call 904-739-0050 to book with our nearest office, or request your appointment online today.
