A common condition aging adults is hip pain, and it is on the rise. It can happen to just about any- one - people whose occupations may be strenuous or repetitive, but also those who are sedentary, or who sit or stand for long peri- ods. Determining the cause of the pain is key to finding the proper course of treatment.

On Thursday, October 21, Jef- frey Vakil, MD, from Premier Orthopedics at Chestnut Hill Hospital, will offer tips on how to deal with hip pain, and discuss the full spectrum of the assess- ment, diagnosis, and treatment options available from rehabilita- tion to minimally invasive surgi- cal options.

“When a patient comes to the office with hip pain we start with a careful and thorough history, assessment and physical exami- nation,” says Jeffrey Vakil, M.D., orthopaedic joint surgeon at Chestnut Hill Hospital. “The precise location of the pain can provide clues about the underly- ing cause. Problems with the hip joint typically result in pain located in the groin region and can radiate down the front of the thigh to the knee. Pain located on the outside of the hip, or in the buttock or low back, can potentially be caused by inflam- mation of the soft tissue struc- tures that surround the hip joint or can be from degeneration of the spine. We typically evaluate these areas during the office visit by performing a thorough physi- cal examination.”

From recent college grads to grandparents, Dr. Vakil cares for a range of people with hip pain. Younger adults are more likely to experience hip pain from injury due to high-intensity athletics. Overuse sports injuries, which are quite common, can occur with high impact activity that requires repetitive actions, like running, jogging, or even aggressive exer- cise for extended periods.

At any age, improper preparation prior to any sporting activities can result in aches and pains and can occur quite commonly in the weekend warriors who play sports intermittently. It is important to have the proper preparation, con- ditioning, and flexibility for these activities.

The most common condition in older adults resulting in hip pain is osteoarthritis, which is simply the wearing of the carti- lage at the ends of the bones in the joints. Cartilage is the padding at the ends of the bones that allow the bones to move smoothly upon one another. However, other causes of hip pain can be due to inflammation of the bursa, tendons and muscles. Many treatments are available to alleviate hip pain including rest, activity modification, ice, heat, over the counter medica- tion and physical therapy. If hip pain does not improve or is con- sistently interfering with daily activities, it may be time to seek the attention of an orthopedic surgeon.

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