UPMC orthopaedic surgeons are experienced in treating people of all ages who experience hip pain or hip disorders.
When nonsurgical options have been exhausted, there are numerous surgeries that can remedy hip disorders, including hip arthroscopy, which became a standard of care within the past decade. At the nationally-ranked UPMC Orthopaedic Care center, our expert physicians strive to get you back on your feet and back to doing what you love in the shortest time possible.
array(2) { ["medical_post"]=> object(WP_Post)#7686 (24) { ["ID"]=> int(25051) ["post_author"]=> string(1) "1" ["post_date"]=> string(19) "2014-09-08 14:13:47" ["post_date_gmt"]=> string(19) "2014-09-08 18:13:47" ["post_content"]=> string(3985) "Hip pain is a common complaint, and a frequent reason patients seek help from their doctors. There are a number of conditions or injuries that can lead to pain around the hip, including:
- Hip (femoroacetabular) impingement
- Groin strain
- Labral tears
- Dislocation or injury to the surrounding muscles
- Arthritis (the most common cause)
- Groin pain
- Pain in the joint area, specifically in a "C" shape
- Pain on the outside of the hip directly over joint
Symptoms of Lower Back Pain
Low back pain will affect 60 to 80 percent of people at some point in their lives. Much of the pain experienced by that group is caused by a herniated disc pressing on a spinal nerve. Those symptoms may include:- Pain shooting down the leg
- Increased pain when bending or sitting
- Numbness or weakness in the leg/foot
- Ruptured discs
- Irritation or inflammation of nerves
- Spinal stenosis
Diagnosing the Source of the Pain
The first step to correctly treating the pain is to receive an accurate diagnosis. Dr. Vyas explains, "When I see a patient seeking treatment for suspected hip pain, the first thing I do is conduct a physical exam and take a history." A history of the pain will include asking questions such as:- Where is the pain located?
- When does the pain occur? With activity? At rest?
- What type of pain is occurring? Is it sharp? Is it achy, etc.?
Treatment for Back or Hip Pain
Depending on the diagnosis, treatment options can include:- Activity modification
- Anti-inflammatory medication
- Physical therapy
- Referral to a specialist
My Hip Hurts: Or Is It Back Pain?
Hip pain is a common complaint and frequent reason patients seek help from their doctors, but is the underlying issue back problems? Learn more.Read More
array(2) { ["medical_post"]=> object(WP_Post)#7395 (24) { ["ID"]=> int(110471) ["post_author"]=> string(3) "944" ["post_date"]=> string(19) "2016-06-20 09:00:53" ["post_date_gmt"]=> string(19) "2016-06-20 13:00:53" ["post_content"]=> string(598) "Pain in your hip from arthritis or other causes can be debilitating and interfere with your quality of life. When non-surgical options fail to provide adequate relief from your pain, an orthopaedic surgeon can replace the damaged joint with an artificial one that is custom-designed to fit your needs, relieve your pain, and get you moving again. At the nationally-ranked UPMC Orthopaedic Care Center, our expert physicians strive to get you back on your feet and back to doing what you love in the shortest time possible." ["post_title"]=> string(32) "Medical Mondays: Hip Replacement" ["post_excerpt"]=> string(109) "Pain in your hip from arthritis or other causes can be debilitating and interfere with your quality of life. " ["post_status"]=> string(7) "publish" ["comment_status"]=> string(6) "closed" ["ping_status"]=> string(6) "closed" ["post_password"]=> string(0) "" ["post_name"]=> string(18) "hip-replacement-mm" ["to_ping"]=> string(0) "" ["pinged"]=> string(0) "" ["post_modified"]=> string(19) "2018-08-29 13:50:07" ["post_modified_gmt"]=> string(19) "2018-08-29 13:50:07" ["post_content_filtered"]=> string(0) "" ["post_parent"]=> int(0) ["guid"]=> string(60) "https://wordpress-healthbeat-dev.azurewebsites.net/?p=110471" ["menu_order"]=> int(369) ["post_type"]=> string(4) "post" ["post_mime_type"]=> string(0) "" ["comment_count"]=> string(1) "0" ["filter"]=> string(3) "raw" } ["medical_description"]=> string(108) "Pain in your hip from arthritis or other causes can be debilitating and interfere with your quality of life." }
Medical Mondays: Hip Replacement
Pain in your hip from arthritis or other causes can be debilitating and interfere with your quality of life.Learn More
array(2) { ["medical_post"]=> object(WP_Post)#7345 (24) { ["ID"]=> int(60021) ["post_author"]=> string(3) "958" ["post_date"]=> string(19) "2015-04-09 12:00:27" ["post_date_gmt"]=> string(19) "2015-04-09 17:00:27" ["post_content"]=> string(3157) "If joint pain has slowed you down and stopped you from doing things you love, it's time to get back in motion. Surgery or medical treatment is only the first step in repairing joint damage. Physical therapy is next to help you get the most benefit from your surgery and return to an active lifestyle. While managing pain and getting back on your feet (literally) can be incentive enough to consider physical therapy, it's also important to know what to expect during your rehabilitation journey.What Are the Goals of Physical Therapy?
Physical therapy lets you take the next step in getting back to feeling normal and mobile again. After treatment for a joint condition or injury, you will likely undergo outpatient physical therapy provided by specialists at a certified rehabilitation center. Whether you've undergone knee, hip, or shoulder replacement surgery or are struggling with chronic joint pain, physical therapy is essential to your recovery. Physical therapy helps you build:
- Strength
- Flexibility
- Range of motion
- Regain function
- Reduce pain
- Prevent future injury
What Happens During Physical Therapy?
Progressive exercises are they key component of a physical therapy program after a total joint replacement. These exercises are tailored to your:- Injury
- Limitations
- Recovery goals.
- Soft tissue mobilization
- Joint mobilization
- Specific guided exercises
What to Expect During Physical Therapy
Physical therapy helps you regain mobility and function after joint replacement surgery. Putting in the hard work helps you get active again.Read More
array(2) { ["medical_post"]=> object(WP_Post)#7679 (24) { ["ID"]=> int(125261) ["post_author"]=> string(1) "1" ["post_date"]=> string(19) "2016-08-14 09:00:00" ["post_date_gmt"]=> string(19) "2016-08-14 13:00:00" ["post_content"]=> string(5124) "Spiking, jumping, setting — for all the excitement that goes along with a game of volleyball, like all sports, every player runs a risk of injury. Learn about five common volleyball injuries, so you can protect yourself during practice and games on the court.![]()
1. Volleyball Ankle Injuries
The most common volleyball-related injuries involve the ankle — ankle sprains are the most common injury in the sport. Most ankle sprains are not severe, and require only a few days or a few weeks of rest and, often, physical therapy. More severe ankle injuries can result in fractures and ligament/tendon injuries that can require surgery. A supportive ankle brace can help you avoid re-injury, so if you have a history of ankle injuries, your doctor may recommend that you wear one.2. Jumper's Knee (patellar tendonitis)
Volleyball requires players to jump to defensively block incoming balls and offensively spike balls into the opposing team's court. Repeated jumping — especially on hard surfaces like the gymnasium floor — can result in a condition called jumper's knee. This is when the tendons around the knee cap (patella) become irritated by small micro-tears, resulting in knee pain and stiffness. You can prevent jumper's knee by reducing the amount you jump at practice, as well as by strengthening the surrounding knee muscles. If you experience pain from jumping, it is best to seek attention from a medical expert, which may include your team’s athletic trainer or a sports medicine physician. Playing on a softer surface, such as a sandy beach, can also help reduce impact to the knee. Keep in mind, however, that sand volleyball players may have additional risk factors for injury compared to indoor players.3. Shoulder Injuries in Volleyball
In volleyball, spiking and serving are high-stress activities that can result in injuries to the tendons and ligaments that support the shoulder. While casual players probably don't need to worry about hurting their shoulders, competitive players should limit the amount of serves and spikes and listen carefully to their body's pain signals. Shoulder strengthening, stretching before play, and using proper mechanics for serving and hitting, also can reduce your risk of injury.4. Volleyball Finger Injuries
Volleyball players can suffer jammed, dislocated, and fractured fingers from contact with the ball, the net, and even with teammates. An injured finger should be evaluated and treated immediately, especially if there is significant pain, swelling, discoloration, or inability to move it. A prompt evaluation and treatment plan can reduce the likelihood of long-term issues, including pain and deformity.5. Lower Back Pain from Volleyball
Many athletes have lower back pain from playing their sport, however, low back pain is fairly common among volleyball players as a result of muscle or ligament strain. If the pain doesn't get better after a few days, or is worse during certain movements, you should be evaluated by a medical professional.Preventing Volleyball Injuries
These steps can help prevent volleyball injuries:
- Stretch and warm-up before playing
- Eat a balanced diet and drink plenty of water
- Keep up your cardiovascular fitness and core strength
- Get enough rest. You may want to avoid playing for multiple teams to reduce the risk of overuse injuries
- Practice good technique. Consulting a specialty coach will help you make the most of the mechanics
- Treat injuries as they occur and allow your body to completely recover before heading back out on the court
5 Common Volleyball Injuries and How to Prevent Them
Learn to identify these five common volleyball injuries, including sprains and shoulder tears, and find ways to prevent injury and stay healthy on the court.Read More
array(2) { ["medical_post"]=> object(WP_Post)#7690 (24) { ["ID"]=> int(149361) ["post_author"]=> string(3) "944" ["post_date"]=> string(19) "2016-12-19 10:30:50" ["post_date_gmt"]=> string(19) "2016-12-19 15:30:50" ["post_content"]=> string(4840) "Hip arthroscopy has become an increasingly popular surgical option for younger, active patients experiencing non-arthritic hip pain. While the surgery is often minimally invasive, rehabilitation (rehab) following hip arthroscopy is imperative to recovery. Your physician will work with your physical therapist to develop a personalized rehab plan to help you return to your sport. According to Keelan Enseki, PT, MS, ATC, orthopaedic physical therapy residency director at UPMC Centers for Rehab Services, rehab will advance in phases and many patients are able to return to full-activity and their sport in three to four months. Here is what you can expect during rehab:One to Four Weeks After Hip Arthroscopy
Following surgery, weight bearing precautions vary depending upon your procedure. In minimally invasive cases, there is typically a short period of partial weight bearing, often two weeks or less, in which you will be required to use crutches and/or a brace to support your hip. During this time, your physical therapist also will develop a personalized rehab plan for you, which will include a timeline to meet functional goals. Before you leave the hospital, your physical therapist will demonstrate exercises for you to start as soon as you get home; however, your physical therapy visits will begin two to three days after surgery. It is important to stay committed to therapy.Phase One and Early Range-of-Motion (ROM)
To prevent postoperative joint stiffness during phase one, your physical therapist will recommend exercises to restore normal joint motion, maintain flexibility, and build strength. These exercises typically start immediately after surgery and may include:
- Circumduction motion
- Stretches
Four to Eight Weeks After Hip Arthroscopy
By this point, most patients have returned to walking normally and driving again. You will likely experience very little discomfort other than some stiffness or tightness, and your physical therapist will continue to prescribe exercises to help you achieve full ROM.Phase Two and Soft-Tissue Mobilization
During phase two, your physical therapist may also perform soft tissue mobilization to help relax your muscles and reduce scar tissue. You may also begin hip and leg muscle strengthening. Exercises during this phase typically include:- Increased time on an upright bike
- Leg presses or squats
- Advanced stretching to improve flexibility
- Balance exercises
Eight to 12 Weeks after Hip Arthroscopy
During this time, most patients will begin phase three of their rehab plan. Your physical therapist will work with you so that you establish a full range of motion in order to prepare you to meet your return to sport criteria. Patients should not expect to reach full activity until they have completed at least three full months (12 weeks) of rehab.Phase Three and Returning to Your Sport
Your hip strength and motion will likely be fully restored during this phase. When you are pain-free, your physical therapist will advance you to running and jogging exercises. To help you reach your desired level of function in your sport, your physical therapist will typically recommend plyometric and functional exercises. During this phase you also will:- Advance to the treadmill and/or elliptical
- Increase weight and repetition of exercises
- Complete stretching so that tightness is resolved
Rehabilitation After Hip Arthroscopy
Hip arthroscopy has become an increasingly popular surgical option for younger, active patients experiencing non-arthritic hip pain.Read More