Easy Steps You Can Take Today to Erase Hip Pain

...and one of these tips you can get from a sewing class!

"More than 100,000 Americans are unable to get from their bed to the bathroom without assistance because of problems related to their hip or knee." So says Dr. Nathan Wei, Clinical Director of the Arthritis and Osteoporosis Center of Maryland. He adds, "Too many people put up with pain when there are so many treatments available."

The hip joint plays a major role in weight-bearing and walking.

It's a ball-and-socket joint that combines great stability and a wide range of motion. This joint is comprised of the head of the thigh bone (femur) which is shaped like a ball. This sits inside a cup-like area of the pelvis called the acetabulum ("socket"). It is surrounded by powerful muscles that help maintain the body in an upright posture and also help with walking. Many ligaments also help support the structure of the hip.

The most common symptom with hip problems is pain

Pain due to hip problems may be felt in the groin, on the outside of the hip region, the buttock, inner part of the thigh, the front of the thigh, and even the knee. In fact, there have been patients who've had knee surgery... when the problem was really in the hip. NOT a good thing! Pain coming from the hip joint also needs to be distinguished from low back disorders as well as knee disorders. Activities of daily living that are affected by hip pain include going up and down stairs, getting out of chairs, getting out of bed, getting shoes and socks off and on, and sexual intercourse.

Hip pain is often aggravated by weight-bearing.

Besides arthritis, hip pain can be due to bursitis. The most common is trochanteric bursitis. Trochanteric bursitis is inflammation of the large bursa that sits on the side of the hip. It tends to come on in middle-aged people. The major symptom is a deep aching pain over the upper outer thigh. It is made worse by walking. It is often bad at night and is aggravated by lying on the affected side. The treatment consists of anti-inflammatory medication, physical therapy, steroid injection, and stretching exercises.

Another potentially serious condition is avascular necrosis of the hip.

Here, a patient will have severe pain- usually in the groin. Weight-bearing is excruciating and the pain may also be present at night. Avascular necrosis is a condition where the blood supply to the head of the femur ("the ball") is interrupted... ...and the head of the femur actually dies! The bone collapses. Remember the great athlete, Bo Jackson... he had avascular necrosis. The diagnosis is confirmed by MRI scanning and the treatment involves surgical procedures. In patient with an arthritis condition, treatment modalities should include anti-inflammatory medication, physical therapy, exercises, and weight reduction, if necessary.

Specific stretching exercises are helpful.

Dr. Wei says, "One of my favorite is called thread-the-needle. You cross one leg across the thigh of the other. Reach down through the hole formed by this crossing over maneuver with the same side hand as the leg you're using to cross over. Clasp fingers with the other hand behind the thigh and gently pull. You'll feel the stretch! Hold for 10 seconds. Repeat with the other side."

Joint replacement- known as hip arthroplasty- is still the resort of choice in patients with end-stage arthritis.

Indications for arthroplasty include: ?pain that hasn't responded to more conservative measures and... ?loss of function in the hip.

In the past, the limiting problem was that the replaced hip was only good for 10 to 15 years with "normal" use.

Problems that limit the lifespan of hip replacements are ?wear and... ?inflammatory response to particles that eventually cause loosening in some patients.

Dr. Wei (pronounced "way") is a board-certified rheumatologist and Clinical Director of the nationally respected Arthritis and Osteoporosis Center of Maryland. He is a Clinical Assistant Professor of Medicine at the University of Maryland School of Medicine and has served as a consultant to the Arthritis Branch of the National Institutes of Health. He is a Fellow of the American College of Rheumatology and the American College of Physicians. For more information on arthritis and related conditions, go to: http://www.arthritis-treatment-and-relief.com

In The News:

---

The Causes Of Stuttering In Childhood

Stuttering is a problem that affects approximately one in every... Read More

Fasting is the Fast Track to Detox

Because of our mechanized and industrialized society we find toxic... Read More

Natural Pain Relief Through Magnetic Therapy is Possible

No one can deny the power of magnets, racing pigeons... Read More

Hemorrhoids & its Symptoms

Hemorrhoids are conditions where there is a swelling of the... Read More

The Natural Way To Whiten Teeth

No patience for bleaching? There may be another way to... Read More

Natural Remedies For Treating a Cold

Sometimes it can be hard to escape that shivery feeling... Read More

Norepinephrine ? A Factor in Fibromyalgia Pain That Your Subconscious May Be Able to Curb

Normally an inhibitor of pain, norepinephrine can produce pain as... Read More

Natural Sleep Aid Tips and Remedies

This article is a summary of some of the sleep... Read More

Olive Oil: One of the Original Seven Wonders?

Is Olive Oil one of Nature's seven original wonders?According to... Read More

Some O. H. & S. For You To Consider

Clicking a mouse isn't exactly vigorous exercise, so I thought... Read More

Contact Lenses Explained And Compared To Glasess

Many people over the past ten years have changed from... Read More

Acupressure

Developed in Asia over 5,000 years ago, acupressure is an... Read More

Which to Use When: Ice or Heat?

Knee pain after running? Wake up with a backache? Twist... Read More

Static Magnetic Therapy: Does It Really Work?

Recently, a number of articles have been published on static... Read More

The Truth About Smokers Pleasure Paradox

Smokers love excuses. Nothing makes them happier than, 'I can't... Read More

A Major Key to Pain Relief: Using Your Subconscious to Alter Your Brain Chemistry

Chemical reactions move pain signals along a pathway from your... Read More

Healing the Body & Mind ? The Karma of Health

Within each one of us resides the divine healer. All... Read More

Cure Arthritis? Right!

Arthritis sufferers are daily bombarded with new, better, more exciting... Read More

Why is Prevention So Important?

One of the least known and least practiced aspects of... Read More

3 Natural Cures For A Migraine Headache

Only a migraine sufferer understands the pain. Regardless of how... Read More

Why Are Organic Bedding and Organic Cotton Products More Expensive?

At first glance it may seem strange that natural and... Read More

Strengthen the Immune System Naturally

"Among the most exciting applications of herbal medicine lie in... Read More

Understanding Massage Therapy

We've all heard of massage and many of us have... Read More

Warning! It Is Possible That You May Die Before Your Time!

Do you ever think about just how important good health... Read More

Cleaners And Our Health

Many people use strong cleaners or acid cleaners to make... Read More

Is Green Tea Good for Me?

Scientific studies continue to show that green tea is good... Read More

Drugstore Hemorrhoid Medications

There are many drugstore and alternative Internet products for treating... Read More

Quiet Discoveries Lead to Fast Sinus Relief

It's amazing what you can find when you start your... Read More

Jesus Diet - Lifestyle Changes That Will Boost Your Energy

Drawing on the inspiration of loaves, fish, and wine, a... Read More

Maintaining Healthy Vision Naturally

The training of our eye doctors in this country is... Read More

How to Use Herbal Salves & Ointments to Shrink Your Hemorrhoids

Comfrey Herbal SalveHere is an herbal combination that contains herbs... Read More

That Popeye Knew a Thing or Two!

For a few weeks the lumps in my throat were... Read More

Herbs For Protection

If you have never used plant matter in magic before,... Read More