If you have hip pain, hip replacement surgery is not usually the first course of action. In this video Dr. Dan Albright from the Raleigh Orthopedic Clinic in Raleigh, NC discusses what you should do before considering surgery.
Summary of Video:
When experiencing hip pain there are several things you can do before considering hip replacement surgery.
- Adjust your activities. High-impact, pounding activities such as distance running are going to wear the hip out faster. Choose low-impact activities such as swimming, biking, elliptical trainers, etc.
- Lose weight. Losing weight is difficult, but less weight puts less stress on the joints and often relieves pain.
- Tone up. Toned muscles help support the body better and the joints function more efficiently.
- Medications. Try anti-inflammatory medications such as Aleve, ibuprofen or aspirin if permitted by your doctor. People with kidney disease or stomach problems may find that Tylenol relieves the pain. Always check with your doctor first.
- Shots. Shots of cortisone into the joint can relieve pain.
Discuss these steps with your doctor to see which one will work best for you.
If you wish to schedule a consultation about hip replacement surgery with Dr. Dan Albright, call 919-863-6808.
