The shoulder, knee, and hip are three joints that are commonly affected by arthritis. While most people are well aware of how corticosteroid injections are used to treat shoulder and knee arthritis, they don’t know so much about similar injections to treat the hip. If you’re one of these people, here’s everything you need to know:
What is Hip Arthritis?
The hip is a ball and socket joint composed of the head of the femur and acetabulum of the pelvis. With age and the development of arthritis, the cartilage, soft tissues and tendons of the hip wear down, which causes inflammation and pain. The first step in treating arthritis is recognition. The second is the prescription of a treatment plan that usually includes any, all, or any combination of the following:
- Activity modification
- Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications
- Physical therapy
- Weight loss
The goal of a treatment plan is to decrease inflammation and pain and increase hip mobility.
When Can Corticosteroids Be Used?
When hip arthritis fails to respond to the above-mentioned treatment options or when a patient’s inflammation and pain prevents them from participating in physical therapy sessions, corticosteroid injections can be considered as an appropriate treatment option.
The Hip Injection Procedure
To ensure corticosteroids are injected into the hip joint, the injection procedure is performed under fluoroscopy (live x-ray) or ultrasound guidance. While the injection itself only takes a few minutes, preparations take a bit longer—something that’s best discussed with an Orthopedic Hip Specialist.
Contacting an Orthopedic Hip Specialist
Patients who want a solution to their hip pain problem are advised to arrange an appointment with one of our Orthopedic Hip Specialists. We have locations in both Duxbury and Sandwich, MA. Once your condition is evaluated, an official diagnosis will be made and a corresponding treatment plan will be prescribed. You can expect results when you choose our practice.
At Plymouth Bay Orthopedic Associates, our team consists of Fellowship-Trained and Board Certified Orthopedics and Sports Medicine Specialists that have extensive experience treating hip injuries. We offer a full spectrum of treatment options that include conservative treatment and Physical Therapy to the latest advancements in arthroscopic surgery and tendon repair. Contact our offices in Plymouth, Duxbury or Sandwich to schedule a consultation with one of our experts!