Hip Pain

When to Call for Hip Pain

Care Advice

Mild Hip Pain

1. What You Should Know:
   • Hip pain can be caused by many things. Muscle aches can occur with the common cold, the flu, and other viral illnesses. Muscle strain and overuse can cause hip pain. Hip pain can also be caused by arthritis, bursitis, or a pinched nerve in the back (sciatica).
   • The best way to treat hip pain will depend on the exact cause.
   • Here is some care advice that should help.
2. What to Expect:
   • Muscle aches from the common cold, the flu, and other viral illness most often last just 2 to 3 days.
   • Minor muscle strain and overuse should start to get better in a couple days. The pain should go away within one week.
   • Pain and stiffness from osteoarthritis (wear and tear arthritis) can be chronic. That is, it can last weeks, months or years. Sometimes the pain can flare up and then get better after a couple days.
   • What to expect in other cases will depend on the cause of pain.
3. Call Your Doctor If:
   • Severe pain
   • Pain keeps you from doing normal activities (such as school, work)
   • Pain lasts more than 7 days
   • Signs of infection occur (such as spreading redness, red streak, warmth)
   • You think you need to be seen
   • You get worse

Muscle Strain or Overuse

1. What You Should Know - Muscle Strain:
   • A muscle strain occurs from over-stretching or tearing a muscle. People often call this a "pulled muscle." This muscle injury can occur while playing a sport or lifting something. Sometimes it can also occur while doing normal activities.
   • People often describe a sharp pain or popping when the muscle strain occurs. The muscle pain worsens when moving the hip or leg.
   • Here is some care advice that should help.
2. What You Should Know - Overuse:
   • Sore muscles are common following vigorous activity (such as running, sports, weight lifting, and moving furniture). This can happen when your body is not used to this amount of activity.
   • Strained muscles often feel achy and sore all over.
   • Here is some care advice that should help.
3. Apply a Cold Pack:
   • Apply a cold pack or an ice bag (wrapped in a moist towel) to the area for 20 minutes. Repeat this in 1 hour and then every 4 hours while awake.
   • Do this for the first 48 hours after an injury.
   • This will help decrease pain and swelling.
4. Apply Heat to the Area:
   • Beginning 48 hours after an injury, apply a warm washcloth or heating pad for 10 minutes 3 times a day.
   • This will help increase blood flow and improve healing.
   • Caution: avoid burns. Make sure it is warm, not hot. Never sleep on, or with, a heating pad.
5. Hot Shower:
   • If stiffness lasts over 48 hours, relax in a hot shower twice a day.
   • Gently move the leg under the falling water.
6. Rest vs. Movement:
   • Rest the hip and leg as much as possible for the first day or two.
   • Staying active helps muscle healing more than resting does.
   • Continue normal activities as much as your pain permits.
   • Avoid heavy lifting and active sports for 1 to 2 weeks or until the pain and swelling are gone.
7. What to Expect:
   • Minor muscle strain and overuse should start to get better in a couple days.
   • The pain should go away within one week.
8. Call Your Doctor If:
   • Severe pain
   • Pain keeps you from doing normal activities (such as school, work)
   • Pain lasts more than 7 days
   • You think you need to be seen
   • You get worse

Over-the-Counter Pain Medicines

1. Pain Medicine:
   • You can take one of the following drugs if you have pain: acetaminophen (Tylenol), ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), or naproxen (Aleve).
   • They are over-the-counter (OTC) pain drugs. You can buy them at the drugstore.
   • Use the lowest amount of a drug that makes your pain feel better.
   • Acetaminophen is safer than ibuprofen or naproxen in people over 65 years old.
   • Read the instructions and warnings on the package insert for all medicines you take.
2. Call Your Doctor If:
   • You have more questions
   • You think you need to be seen
   • You get worse

And remember, contact your doctor if you develop any of the 'Call Your Doctor' symptoms.

Disclaimer: this health information is for educational purposes only. You, the reader, assume full responsibility for how you choose to use it.