Hip Pain Baton Rouge

Common conditions include hip strain due to overuse or sudden injury, impingement due to abnormalities of the shape of the femoral head (ball) or acetabulum (hip socket), bursitis (a swelling or inflammation of the hip joint bursa), and osteoarthritis which is wearing out of the cartilage in the joint.

Medical assistance should be sought out if symptoms persist after at home treatment has been attempted. Minor hip pain or injuries can often be recovered from on their own with proper rest, use of ice packs, applying heat, and use of pain relievers such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen. If pain or other symptoms such as stiffness persist visiting an orthopedic doctor is advised. It is important to note that many conditions felt to be a “groin pull” usually indicate a more complex problem such as hip impingement or hip dysplasia and may represent the beginning of damage to the hip joint. A simple xray from a hip specialist can easily rule this condition in or out.

A doctor will examine a patient for hip pain by testing everyday activities such as walking, bending, flexing the joint, and testing any impediments to the normal range of motion. Patients will also be asked about injury history, recent activities, obstacles to regular daily activity, and when the pain started. Imaging such as xray, MRI or ultrasonography may be performed to check for internal damage or injury to the hip.

Hip injuries have a variety of treatment options. At home treatments include over the counter medication, rest, exercise programs, and corrective tools such as canes or joint braces. Medical treatments can include injections such as a corticosteroid, orthopedic physical therapy, and in more severe cases surgery.

Surgery may be advisable in situations where an injury doesn’t heal on its own after an extended period and symptoms continue to persist despite medication and physical therapy.

Most hip surgeries are focused on the joint, and the best surgery option depends on the condition and age of the patient. Surgical options include arthroscopy, a minimally invasive surgery where torn cartilage is repaired and minor bone abnormalities are corrected; osteotomy where the joint itself is reshaped, and total hip replacement where the entire hip joint is replaced with a prosthesis.

A hip replacement is a surgical procedure where the hip joint is either completely or partially replaced with a prosthesis. A modern hip prosthesis is typically made of materials such as titanium, polyethylene, ceramic, and/or cobalt-chromium.

There are no exact rules that define a person as needing a hip replacement. What makes a person a good candidate for hip replacement is pervasive, ongoing symptoms that negatively impact their quality of life. Symptoms such as continuous pain, stiffness, the inability to walk short distances, limping, and difficulty tying shoes on the involved side are all signs a hip replacement may be needed.

SuperPath, or Supercapsular Percutaneously Assisted Total Hip, is a special technique to perform total hip replacements that causes minimal disruption to the hip capsule and surrounding soft tissues.It was first introduced in 2010 and has been quickly proven as a safe and highly beneficial alternative to traditional hip replacements. The main distinguishing factors of SuperPath are a smaller incision, greater preservation of deep tissues with minimal dissection, and the ability to perform the procedure without the need to dislocate the hip joint. This is in contrast to standard techniques where the leg must be twisted to dislocate the hip and perform the procedure. Because of minimal disruption of the hip capsule, the SuperPath technique provides excellent resistance to hip dislocation.

Other Alternatives To Hip Replacement Include:

PAO Hip Surgery

PAO is a surgical technique which allows the physician to improve instances of hip dysplasia without replacing the joint. Through a series of cuts around the hip socket, it can be moved into a better position, where it covers and protects a greater portion of the femoral head. Once this has been accomplished, the new positioning is fixed with 3 to 4 screws. Dr Arthur Hess is one of the very few surgeons in the state with experience in performing PAO surgery for hip dysplasia.

Arthroscopic Surgery

This is a minimally invasive technique whereby a surgeon can repair torn labrum cartilage and reshape deformed bones due to a congenital condition called femoroacetabular impingement (FAI). It is now generally accepted that FAI is a condition that may cause hip arthritis to begin in a relatively young patient. The procedure is very effective at relieving pain, and although not yet proven in long term studies, the hope is that by fixing the abnormalities early, we may be preventing that patient from developing enough hip damage that he or she eventually needs a hip replacement.

Hip Biologic Injections

A Biologic Injection is a same-day, in-office procedure. Examples of this include Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) and Bone Marrow Aspirate Concentrate (BMAC), sometimes referred to as stem cell injection. Biologic Injections are available for any joint.. These biologic injections have been shown in the literature to reduce pain and inflammation in patients with mild to moderate arthritis.

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Hip Surgery Advancements in Baton Rouge

We treat people of all ages with hip injuries caused by accidents, sports injuries, disabilities, or degenerative diseases. Discover how we are implementing newer and safer treatments for hip patients in Baton Rouge and the surrounding region.