Hip Joint Pain Specialists

Hip Care Near You in New Jersey

When hip pain occurs, it can impact how you walk, sit, and participate in everyday activities. Whether you have acute pain caused by an injury or chronic pain from a condition, Kurdali Spine & Pain can help. We offer non-surgical relief for neck, back, nerve, muscle, and joint pain, including hip pain, at locations near you in New Jersey. Patients can get same-day diagnoses and treatments to relieve their pain and get back to doing the things they love. Learn more about hip pain and the treatments we offer.

Key Takeaways

Hip pain is a common concern, and it can appear right over the hip area, or in the groin, thigh, or side of the hip.
Common causes of hip pain include arthritis, bursitis, tendonitis, and sciatica, which result in symptoms like pain, stiffness, tingling, limping, or clicking/popping sounds.
Diagnosing hip pain involves a thorough physical examination, medical imaging scans, and sometimes, diagnostic injections.
Kurdali Spine & Pain provides same-day, non-surgical treatments for hip pain, including injections and medications.

What Is Hip Pain?

Hip pain is any pain that is felt in or around the hip joint. The hip joint is the largest ball-and-socket joint in the body. It connects the thigh bone to the pelvis socket, providing stability and mobility. The hip enables everyday movements, such as weight-bearing, walking, and running.

Hip pain may not always present directly over the hip area. Some patients may experience pain in their groin, thigh, or knee. Hip pain can sometimes be confused with spine-referred leg pain, which results when lower back problems irritate nerves and result in pain or tingling that is felt in the legs or buttocks. It may radiate down the legs and get worse when sitting or bending. True hip pain is typically felt in the front of the hip or the groin and may radiate to the thigh. It often worsens when walking or climbing stairs.

What Are the Common Symptoms of Hip Pain?

Hip pain can include a wide variety of symptoms. The pain can be mild or severe, acute or chronic. Acute pain is sudden, temporary pain that is often the result of a specific injury or surgery, while chronic pain is long-lasting, persistent pain that continues beyond the expected healing period. Symptoms can vary depending on the person, but they typically include:

If a patient is experiencing hip pain, they should note when it worsens, such as when sitting, standing, climbing stairs, or sleeping on their side. This information can help Dr. Basil Kurdali determine the proper diagnosis.

What Are the Common Causes and Risk Factors of Hip Pain?

Hip pain can appear at any age, but some risk factors that make a person more likely to experience it include older age, obesity, previous injuries, and repetitive strain from work or sports. It can be caused by a wide variety of injuries and conditions, such as fractures caused by falls or accidents and hip impingement, which is the result of abnormal bone growth that leads bones to rub together. Other common causes of hip pain include:

Hip Joint Arthritis

The most common cause of hip pain is arthritis, including osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, and psoriatic arthritis. Arthritis is a condition that causes the cartilage that cushions the joint to break down over time, resulting in inflammation and stiffness. It is caused by age-related wear and tear. Osteoarthritis, in particular, frequently causes pain around the groin and thigh that gets worse with activity.

Labral Tear

A labral tear in the hip occurs when the ring of cartilage (labrum) that lines the hip socket gets torn. It is often the result of repetitive motions or trauma and frequently presents in athletes and older adults. A labral tear can cause sharp groin pain, clicking, or locking sensations.

Tendonitis and Muscle Strain

Hip tendonitis refers to the inflammation, irritation, or degeneration of the tendons that connect the hip muscles to the thigh bone. It is generally caused by overuse or sudden increases in activity and can lead to persistent pain, tenderness, and stiffness. Muscle strains are similar, although they are the result of the muscle fibers stretching or tearing from sudden stress. They often lead to sudden, sharp pain and typically appear after kicking, sprinting, or overextending the muscle.

Bursitis

Bursae are fluid-filled sacs that cushion the hip joint. When they become inflamed, whether from overuse or repetitive trauma, they cause pain on the outside of the hip. The pain may get worse when the person is lying on their side, getting up from a chair, or climbing stairs.

Sciatica and Nerve Compression

The sciatic nerve is the body’s largest, running from the lower back through the buttocks and hips and down into the legs. It allows for movement and enables lower limb control and sensation. When it becomes irritated or compressed (sciatica), it results in sharp, burning, or aching pain, as well as tingling or numbness. It can appear in the hip and may worsen with prolonged sitting, standing, or turning in bed. Compared to other forms of hip pain that stay concentrated in the hip or groin area, sciatica-related hip pain often appears with lower back pain and pain that travels further down the leg.

When to Seek Care for Hip Pain

Patients should seek medical care for their hip pain when:

These can be signs of a more serious condition or injury that requires specialized care and treatment to provide relief.

Typically, hip pain caused by strains or tendonitis will heal on its own within a few weeks. Other forms of hip pain require more in-depth treatment.

How Is Hip Pain Diagnosed?

When a patient comes to Kurdali Spine & Pain for hip pain, they will go through a thorough, same-day diagnostic process to confirm the cause and rule out other potential factors. Dr. Basil Kurdali performs a comprehensive exam of the hip, assessing its range of motion, gait, and any physical signs like swelling or bruising. He will also ask the patient about their symptoms, any previous injuries, and their daily activities.

Once the physical exam is complete, Dr. Kurdali may also order imaging scans and diagnostic injections to further narrow down the diagnosis. X-rays are best for assessing bone structure and identifying arthritis, while magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans are better suited for soft tissue problems like labral tears. Diagnostic steroid injections may be used to determine where the pain is originating from, such as inside the hip joint or the surrounding structures.

What Are the Treatment Options for Hip Pain at Kurdali Spine & Pain?

Once Dr. Kurdali has confirmed the correct diagnosis and cause of the patient’s hip pain, he will develop a treatment plan. At Kurdali Spine & Pain, we provide same-day treatment, helping patients get relief and get back to their daily activities sooner. We specialize in non-invasive, non-surgical treatment options, including:

At-Home Care

For acute hip pain caused by strains or overuse, at-home care is often the first step. This may involve:

Resting: The patient should avoid activities that worsen the pain, including participating in high-impact sports, running, or climbing stairs.
Using ice/heat therapy: This involves using ice packs on the affected area to reduce pain and swelling, then switching to heat after 48 hours to help relieve stiffness.
Wearing supportive footwear: Patients should make sure to wear supportive, well-fitting shoes to minimize impact on their hips.
Altering sleeping positions: Patients should try not to sleep on the painful side. They can try sleeping on their back or the other side with a pillow between their knees.

These at-home changes can help reduce minor, acute pain.

Physical Therapy and Mobility Work

One of the most common treatments for hip pain is physical therapy and mobility work. It involves specialized exercises and stretches that help to strengthen the glutes, core, and hip stabilizers, and increase the range of motion. These techniques help relieve pain, improve mobility, and prevent future injuries. At Kurdali Spine & Pain, we try to get patients into physical therapy or chiropractic therapy the same day as their appointment, so they can get started as soon as possible.

Medications

To relieve pain caused by hip conditions, Dr. Kurdali may recommend over-the-counter or prescription medications. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as ibuprofen or naproxen, are often used to target inflammation, while acetaminophen can help with pain relief. For severe pain, Dr. Kurdali may prescribe stronger medications, such as injections or muscle relaxers.

Ultrasound-Guided Injections

Another common treatment option is ultrasound-guided injections. This minimally invasive process involves injecting medicine, usually a steroid or anesthetic, into the joint space, bursae, or tendons to relieve pain. The injection is guided by ultrasound imaging to visualize the hip structures and administer the shot accurately. These injections are often used to treat pain caused by osteoarthritis, bursitis, and labral tears when physical therapy or other medications are insufficient.

What to Expect at Your Appointment

As every patient is different, the treatment length and recovery timeline will vary based on the cause of their pain, their overall health, and the treatment used. However, with same-day diagnosis and treatment from Kurdali Spine & Pain, patients can get started on the recovery process as soon as possible. Dr. Kurdali will provide guidance on when patients can return to activities like exercise and strenuous work. He may also provide recommendations on preventing pain flare-ups and making lifestyle changes.

Why Choose Kurdali Spine & Pain?

Kurdali Spine & Pain is led by Dr. Basil Kurdali, a board-certified interventional pain management specialist. The goal of Kurdali Spine & Pain is to provide non-surgical relief for neck, back, nerve, muscle, and joint pain. Reasons patients choose us include:

At Kurdali Spine & Pain, we focus on non-surgical treatment options and do everything possible to keep patients out of surgery. However, if it’s necessary, Dr. Kurdali has a trusted network of specialists he can refer patients to.

Get Non-Invasive Hip Pain Treatment Near You in New Jersey

If you’re dealing with hip pain, whether it’s chronic or acute, treatment is available at Kurdali Spine & Pain. We provide non-invasive hip pain treatments near you in New Jersey that can help you get back to enjoying the activities you love. For more information or to schedule an appointment at one of our locations near you in New Jersey, contact us today.

Hip Pain FAQ

When is imaging needed for hip pain?

Imaging is recommended for hip pain when the pain is severe, chronic, and limits everyday function. It is also often used when the symptoms point to a fracture, infection, or structural damage.

What treatments help with hip pain from arthritis vs. tendon or bursa issues?

Treatments for hip arthritis pain and tendon/bursa issues often include medications like NSAIDs and physical therapy. However, hip pain caused by arthritis also benefits from weight management or mobility aids, while hip pain due to tendon/bursa issues can be treated with strict activity modifications and targeted injections.

When are ultrasound-guided hip injections considered?

Ultrasound-guided hip injections are typically considered after other conservative treatments, such as medications, rest, and physical therapy, have been used and haven’t provided effective relief.