Convenient Locations in Highland, Hobart, & Merrillville
Our hip joints take a beating. Over the course of our lives, they withstand all sorts of impacts, from walking downstairs to jumping to rebound a basketball. Compared to the complexity in the shoulder joint, the hips are relatively simple structures. But with the loads our hips continually bear, they can become damaged and painful.
The board-certified orthopedic specialists at Bone & Joint Specialists treat all types of hip pain and damage. We offer comprehensive care as part of our orthopedic services in Highland, Hobart, and Merrillville, Indiana.
Hip Problems Treated by Our Orthopedic Specialists
At Bone & Joint Specialists, our orthopedic team diagnoses and treats a wide range of hip problems, including:
- Arthritis: Degeneration of the cartilage in the hip joint, leading to pain, stiffness, and reduced mobility over time.
- Dislocations: When the ball of the hip joint slips out of its socket, often due to trauma or injury.
- Fractures: Broken bones in the hip, commonly caused by falls or direct impact, especially in older adults.
- Sprains and strains: Injuries to the ligaments (sprains) or muscles and tendons (strains) surrounding the hip, often from overuse or sudden movements.
Hip Replacement Patient Testimonial
“Dr. Andrews did double hip replacements on my husband in 2012. He is very knowledgeable and both times we went in for surgery it was a great experience. I would recommend him”
What Is a Hip Injury?
Our hip joint is a ball-and-socket joint that fits together in a way that allows for easy movement. When the hips are engaged, like when you are running, the inner hips have a cushion of cartilage that helps prevent friction as the femur moves in the socket.
Our hips are incredibly durable, but they’re not indestructible. Over time, the cartilage in our hips wears down. The muscles and tendons in the hip can become overused. Osteoporosis can break down the bone quality, leading to a hip fracture if you happen to fall. There are many ways your hips tell you that something is wrong by sending pain signals to your brain.
What Are the Symptoms of a Hip Injury?
Hip pain varies depending on the origin or the damage. In most cases, the pain will get worse with activity. This is especially true if your pain is linked to arthritis. Pain can be of the constant aching variety, or it could be acute, like if you have tears in the cartilage of the socket. Certain sleeping positions can also move or bother the cartilage pieces.
You may feel hip-related pain in these areas:
- Inside the hip joint
- Thigh
- Groin
- Outside of the hip joint
- Buttocks
Persistent hip pain will often lead to the development of a limping gait in order to avoid certain movements in the joint.
What Causes Hip Pain?
The most common causes of hip pain are osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. Other common causes are hip fractures, bursitis (inflammation of the bursae that cushion the joint), tendinitis, muscle or tendon strains, hip labrum tear (a rip in the ring of cartilage that follows the outside rim of the hip joint socket), cancer, and avascular necrosis caused by fracture or dislocation.
What Are Common Hip Injuries That Require Surgery?
Hip surgery is uncommon for reasons other than hip replacement or when a hip has been fractured. Hip replacement surgery is very successful and involves a far easier recovery than you may assume. It is done when the patient has extensive, irreversible hip joint damage that is causing chronic pain that is interfering with everyday life.
At Bone & Joint Specialists, we may perform hip replacement surgery to treat these conditions:
- Osteoarthritis
- Rheumatoid arthritis
- Osteonecrosis
- Hip fractures
- Bone tumors
What Is Hip Replacement Surgery?
Hip replacement surgery aims to relieve hip discomfort and restore function by replacing the damaged hip joint with an artificial implant. This implant mimics the natural movement of the hip, helping you return to everyday activities with greater ease.
What to Expect During Surgery
Your surgery will follow a series of carefully planned steps that typically go as follows:
- Anesthesia: You’ll receive either general anesthesia (which puts you fully asleep) or spinal anesthesia (which numbs your lower body). Your care team will discuss the best option based on your health and preferences.
- Surgical Incision: Your surgeon will make a precise incision near your hip joint to access the damaged bone and cartilage.
- Removal of Damaged Tissue: The worn or damaged portions of the hip joint, including cartilage and bone, are carefully removed to prepare the area for the implant.
- Placement of Artificial Components: The new joint components (typically made of metal and plastic) are securely positioned to replace the removed tissue. These parts work together to restore natural joint movement.
- Closing the Incision: Once the implant is in place, the incision site is carefully closed with sutures or staples, and a sterile dressing is applied.
- Recovery Room Monitoring: You’ll be moved to the recovery area where your vital signs are monitored as the anesthesia wears off.
- Early Mobilization: Most patients begin walking, with assistance from a physical therapist, within 24 hours after surgery to encourage proper healing and prevent complications.
Hip Replacement Recovery Process
Recovery after hip replacement begins almost immediately after surgery, with most patients encouraged to start moving and walking with help from a physical therapist. You’ll typically stay in the hospital for one to three days, depending on your progress.
At home, you'll need to follow your rehabilitation plan to regain strength and range of motion. Most patients can resume light activities within three to six weeks and experience continued improvement over the next few months.
Our team provides ongoing support to monitor your healing and help you return to your regular activities as safely and quickly as possible.
What Can I Do to Prevent Hip Injury?
You can’t always prevent a hip injury, especially in traumatic accidents. For instance, Bo Jackson was a famous professional athlete in both football and baseball, but one seemingly harmless tackle in a game caused avascular necrosis and bone death in his hip. He needed a hip replacement, and his dual careers were over.
However, there are things you can do to help keep your hips healthy and reduce your risk of injury:
Maintain a Healthy Weight
Extra weight simply speeds the degradation of the hip joint, and it increases pain in arthritic joints. Every 10 pounds of extra weight you’re carrying around results in increased loads of 75 to 100 pounds on your joints. Simple physics says the cartilage in your hip joints will break down sooner with these extra forces.
Get Regular Exercise
Exercise will help you maintain a healthy weight, and it will strengthen the muscles around your hips, back, and general core. When your core is strong, it helps to keep your hips in alignment so your body can better distribute your weight. Vary your exercises to strengthen more areas in your body.
Adjust What You Do
If you have persistent hip pain, you may worsen the condition by continuing activities despite the discomfort. The pain is telling you something. For example, if running is starting to cause hip pain, switch to swimming or bicycling.
Why Choose Bone & Joint Specialists?
At Bone & Joint Specialists, your care is in the hands of board-certified orthopedic surgeons with extensive experience in diagnosing and treating a full range of joint conditions. Our team specializes in surgical and nonsurgical solutions for the hip, knee, shoulder, hand, wrist, elbow, spine, foot, and ankle. We use advanced techniques and treatment plans to help each patient regain mobility and reduce pain. From sports injuries to age-related joint damage, our orthopedic surgeons deliver expert care based on your individual needs.
In addition to physician expertise, our practice offers a full spectrum of on-site services for your convenience. Patients benefit from in-house MRI imaging, physical therapy, and workers’ compensation support, all coordinated under one roof. This approach allows our team to manage your treatment from diagnosis through recovery.
Frequently Asked Questions
At What Age Do Most Hip Injuries Occur?
Most hip injuries occur in older people. This is because their hips have had decades of use and impact. Osteoarthritis is the most common cause of various hip injuries. This is otherwise known as “wear and tear arthritis.” Older patients, particularly females, are also prone to having osteoporosis, the deterioration of their bones. In the hips, this leads to fractures during falls.
What Imaging Tests Are Used for Hip Injuries?
Common imaging tests for diagnosing hip injuries include X-rays, MRI scans, and CT scans. X-rays help reveal bone fractures and joint degeneration, while MRI scans provide detailed images of soft tissues like cartilage, muscles, and tendons. CT scans are sometimes used for a more detailed look at the bone structures when needed.
What Sleeping Position Is Best for Hip Pain?
Sleeping on your back with a pillow placed under your knees can help reduce pressure on your hips. If you prefer sleeping on your side, placing a pillow between your knees can help keep your hips aligned and reduce discomfort. Avoid sleeping directly on the painful side when possible.
How Can I Tell If My Hip Pain Is From the Joint or Soft Tissue?
Pain located deep in the groin or directly inside the hip joint often indicates a problem within the joint itself, such as arthritis or a labral tear. Pain felt on the outer hip, buttocks, or upper thigh may suggest soft tissue issues, like muscle strains, tendon problems, or bursitis. Your doctor can help determine the exact cause through a physical exam and imaging tests.
How Should I Prepare for Hip Replacement Surgery?
Preparing for hip replacement surgery involves a few key steps. Follow your surgeon’s instructions about medications to stop before surgery, arrange for help at home during your recovery, and prepare your living space to minimize the risk of falls.
You may also be asked to complete a pre-surgery physical assessment and attend pre-operative education sessions to learn more about the procedure and recovery process.
Schedule Your Hip Consultation in Lake County, IN
If you believe you have a hip injury, please contact us today at 219-795-3360 to schedule an appointment at one of our offices in Hobart, Highland, or Merrillville.
