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Mon, 23 Dec 2019

Hip Pain May Not Be Because of a Hip Problem

 If you are experiencing hip pain there could be a variety of things impacting it. Sometimes, the hip pain is due to something wrong in the hip, other times it is a deeper, different problem all together.

hip pain and joint replacement

Fractures

Many times, hip pain is due to a hip injury, such as a fracture. Fractures of the hip are more common as people get older. Often, hip fractures happen in conjunction with falling. The risk of falling is increased in the icy winter, so it is always important to be careful and to remember to walk like a penguin on the ice.

Arthritis

Arthritis is another big factor in causing hip pain. When arthritis hits in the hip, physical therapy is often ordered to help strengthen the muscles around the joint. A joint replacement is often needed once the more conservative treatment options have failed.

Bursitis

One other common cause of hip pain is bursitis, which stems from an inflammation of fluid-filled sac or the bursa. These sacs help cushion tendons, muscles and ligaments. Thus, when they swell it can cause a lot of tenderness and pain. Not all hip pain stems from an issue within the hip, sometimes it is something different.

Sciatica

Another reason one might be experiencing hip pain is sciatica, the inflammation of nerve roots from the spinal cord. Often times, this causes hip pain and pain that shoots down the leg. Sciatica can occur because of a variety of reasons such as spinal stenosis, which is often from osteoarthritis, spasms in the lower back, or bulging or ruptured disks. This pain, despite often occurring in the hip, is actually from an issue in the spine.

Peripheral Neuropathy

The sciatic nerve is not the only nerve that can become inflamed and pose as a hip problem. Peripheral nerves are another set that, when inflamed, can cause hip pain. This is often caused in pregnancy, but there are other triggers for it as well, including diabetes and too tight of clothing.

Receive a Proper Diagnosis Today

A proper diagnosis is crucial when trying to take care of hip pain. For instance, if someone were to get a cortisone shot in their hip, but the issue is a ruptured disk in their back, then the injection is not going to do a ton of good. Proper diagnosis is important to know the proper treatment plan. It can help people know what exercises might help or hurt their condition. It is also important for the patient to know if there is a deeper underlying condition that could be more serious of an issue than they originally anticipated.

If you are experiencing hip pain, come in and see one of our total joint doctors or come see our spine specialist if the pain is running through your back or leg as well. They can help provide a proper diagnosis and determine the root cause of the condition. This will help them work with you to come up with an individualized treatment plan to best address your pain. 

Contact Miller Orthopedic Specialists today for your individualized treatment plan for your hip pain today!

        

Wed, 13 Nov 2019

How to Treat Your Spine Better

lower back pain

It is estimated that 80 percent of adults will experience back pain at some point in their lives (National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke). There are a lot of factors that can lead to people experiencing back pain.

Age and Weight

Age is something that often leads to an increased amount of back pain. When people get old, their body often gradually starts to wear out. Thus, it is important to try to limit the breakdown of the body by staying as healthy as possible. Weight is an added stress to the spine, which often leads to back pain. Maintaining a healthy weight is a good way to minimize some of that potential pain.

Job Strain

Some people have a lot of strain in their jobs too. People who have a lot of lifting and twisting will often lead to back pain. However, people who sit at a desk all day without adequate back support will often eventually start to feel the pain too. It is important to remember to stretch and walk around to give your spine a break if you are constantly sitting or straining it.

Exercise

Many people think that as long as they get out and exercise that it can limit their back pain. While exercise is important, it is important to be careful. Many “weekend warriors” do not exercise during the week and then do strenuous activity on the weekend, which can cause pain to the spine. It is important to remain active throughout the week as well. Swimming is often a good option for those already suffering from back or neck pain. Also, always remember to stretch before and after to help reduce extra muscle tension and improve mobility.

Proper Lifting

People constantly hear the phrase, “Lift with your legs, not your back.” However, many people do not really know what that means. Be sure to stand as close to the object as possible. With bended knees, make your arms level with the top of the item. Then, be sure to keep your back straight and head down. Some things might be harder to do this with than others, so do not be afraid to ask for help. These tips will help limit some awkward twisting or pulling of your spine that often occurs with improper lifting of objects.

How You Sleep

How people sleep can have an impact on back pain too. It is not only a matter of how one lays, but making sure to get enough sleep so the whole body may be well-rested is important. Sleeping on one side is typically considered better than sleeping on the stomach. This method reduces some of the pressure on the spine that occurs when someone is on their stomach. It is recommended to have a pillow between the legs for this method, to increase support. It also can help with breathing and apnea, which often force people to awaken in the night. The more people are awake during the night, the less rested they will be in the morning.

Sleeping on one’s back with proper support under the knees to help with the natural curve of the spine is typically considered the best sleeping position for a healthy spine. Having proper neck and back support with pillows and mattresses are also important in helping with back pain. However, if people already have some back conditions, like a herniated disc, for instance, then a specialist might suggest a different sleeping position to help reduce pain and to open the spinal joints.

Stay Hydrated

One simple thing that can help maintain a healthy spine is staying hydrated. This is a small thing that can help the disks in the spine maintain their height, which minimizes the chance of bulging disks and lessens pressure on the spine.

Contact a Specialist

It is good for someone to see a specialist if they have back pain. Spine specialists can help come up with a customized treatment plan to help diagnose the current issue, find methods to reduce pain, and give suggestions on other ways to prevent some future back pain.

Dr. Ricart is a Board Certified, fellowship-trained spine specialist. He is fluent in both Spanish and English and is accepting new patients in both Omaha and Council Bluffs. If you’re having issues with your spine then maybe it’s time to give Dr. Ricart a visit!

Contact Miller Orthopedic Specialists to have our specialists help relieve your back pain!

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