When to See a Doctor About Hip Pain

Hip pain is a common discomfort to many people and can be caused by a variety of factors. It can also present itself in various areas surrounding the hips, so self-diagnosis can be difficult. Self-diagnosis is also risky because you could miss an underlying condition that a trained doctor would be able to identify.

In some cases, simple home remedies can relieve hip pain and allow you to go about your normal routine fairly quickly. In some cases though, hip pain should be an indicator that you need to seek medical care as soon as possible.

When to seek medical care:

• You are unable to move your leg or hip.
• You are unable to put weight on your leg or hip
• Your joint appears deformed
• Sudden, intense pain
• Sudden swelling
• Signs of infection such as fever, chills, or redness
• Hip pain following an accident or a fall, which is a cause for immediate medical care.

In the meantime, or if your hip pain is mild or doesn’t match the symptoms mentioned above, these home remedies may be helpful:

• Rest, and avoiding activity that could make the pain worse.
• Over-the-counter pain relievers.
• Gentle stretching exercises.
• Ice or heat. If using a heating pad, place a towel or some sort of buffer between your skin and the heating pad to avoid burns to the skin.
• Warm showers, Epsom baths, and hot tubs or whirlpools.

If left untreated, hip pain can progress and eventually lead to pain that is debilitating, or damage that requires surgery to correct. Early diagnosis and proper care are your best course of action to maintain your health and mobility. If you are experiencing hip pain, please call us at (706) 286-8344 to make an appointment and find relief.