There are some overwhelming threats to our hip joints as we get older, the most obvious one being osteoarthritis – which is often called just “arthritis” because it is so common. In fact, wear-and-tear damage to the hip joints due to osteoarthritis is one of the most common reasons why people have hip replacement surgery.
So, is that inevitable, or is hip arthritis preventable? The answer is yes, it is possible to prevent or minimize arthritis of the hip. Not everyone suffers from hip arthritis as they get older.
Let’s talk about some of the best and simplest ways to prevent developing hip arthritis, and who can help you if you do develop the condition.
How to Prevent Hip Arthritis
When it comes to avoiding hip arthritis, the goal is to reduce the stress on your hip joints as much as possible so that the cartilage in your hip joints remains intact and with good integrity. That involves doing the following:
Exercise to Stay Limber
Reducing stress on your hip joints doesn’t mean avoiding activity altogether. By strengthening your hip and back muscles, you are reducing the stress on your joints.
Core-strengthening exercises develop and support the torso area. With a stronger core, your hips have better support and alignment.
Also exercise your leg muscles for overall strength and flexibility, and to help prevent arthritis in your other joints such as your knees. Once you have arthritis in one joint, you’re more liable to develop it in other joints as well.
Maintain a Healthy Weight
Being overweight puts immense stress and pressure on your hip joints and knee joints, which accelerates the development of arthritis in your joints. Because osteoarthritis involves overall wear-and-tear, the cartilage breaks down at a fast pace and causes arthritis.
If you need to lose weight, start by cutting down on your intake of salt, sugar, and processed foods. Foods that are mostly sugar and salt tend to elicit an inflammatory response in your body and joints, and inflammation naturally causes arthritis.
In addition, avoid being sedentary and get moving. Every little bit of exercise helps, even just walking with the dog outside or taking the stairs at work instead of the elevator.
Seek a Specialist for Hip Pain
If you are experiencing pain in your hip, it’s best to see an experienced orthopedic physician. If you are having sudden and excruciating hip pain, you may want to head over to an orthopedic urgent care center. These special clinics are staffed by orthopedic specialists, and the great part is that you can just walk right in – no appointment is necessary.
Patients who have had a hip joint injury in the past tend to develop arthritis in that same spot of the injury. An orthopedic doctor can recommend preventive treatment methods to reduce your arthritis risk and your need for hip surgery in the future.
Orthopedic Urgent Care in Clinton Township, Michigan
At our orthopedic urgent care center here at Movement Orthopedics, we offer same-day diagnosis and treatment to patients who have hip pain, knee pain, shoulder pain, and other symptoms of arthritis. We can help you reduce your arthritis pain as much as possible.
If you have any questions or would like to schedule an appointment with Dr. Jeffrey Carroll, you may call Movement Orthopedics today at (586) 436-3785 or fill out our appointment request form online now. We look forward to seeing you here and helping you get past the pain in your joints.
