Top Treatments for Hip Pain and Femur Injuries in the Bay Area
Hip pain and femur injuries are common, especially among older adults, and can significantly impact daily life. Fortunately, a wide range of treatment options is available, including minimally invasive procedures and traditional open surgeries — each suited to different levels of injury severity. Explore which option may be best for you and where to find the highest-rated orthopedic surgeon in San Francisco.
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Hip pain and femur injuries are surprisingly common across all age groups but tend to get more common as we age — around 14% of people aged 60 and over report feeling hip pain on most days.
The impact of hip and femur issues on daily life can be profound and far-reaching. For instance, persistent hip pain and limited mobility can interfere with performing routine tasks, engaging in favorite activities, or maintaining healthy fitness levels. For many people, these ailments can even threaten their independence and ability to work, significantly diminishing their quality of life.
However, there is hope for those suffering from hip pain and femur injuries. A wide range of treatment options is available, including several minimally invasive procedures that can effectively restore mobility and alleviate pain without subjecting patients to lengthy and uncomfortable recovery periods.
Read on to explore the best hip pain and femur injury treatments from the best orthopedic specialist in San Francisco.
Common Reasons for Hip Pain
Hip pain can stem from various causes, including fractures, sports injuries, and age-related wear and tear. It can also arise from various conditions, such as arthritis or injuries affecting surrounding bones and tissues. Some of the most common reasons for hip pain include:
Osteoarthritis: the natural wear and tear of the hip joint cartilage
Rheumatoid arthritis: an autoimmune condition causing joint inflammation
Hip bursitis: inflammation of the fluid-filled sacs that cushion the hip joint
Tendinitis: inflammation of the tendons around the hip
Fractures in the upper part of the femur or hip socket
Labral tears: damage to the cartilage ring within the hip socket
Femoroacetabular impingement: abnormal contact between the femur head and hip socket
Overuse or injury to muscles supporting the hip
Sciatica: a type of nerve pain that can radiate to the hip area
These conditions can result from acute injuries, overuse, age-related changes, or underlying health issues — and may require different approaches to treatment depending on severity and overall health.
Top Minimally Invasive Treatments for Hip Pain
Arthroscopic surgery is one of the most common minimally invasive options for orthopedic treatments like knee or hip surgery. This type of surgery uses a tiny camera and small instruments inserted through small incisions. The benefits of this technique, when compared to traditional open surgeries, include:
Faster recovery times
Less pain
Smaller scars
During arthroscopic surgery, doctors can perform several procedures to alleviate hip pain and improve function. Most often it is used to treat labral tears, address microfractures, or remove excessive bone, known as a burr.
Additional minimally invasive treatment options may include:
Hip injections, such as corticosteroids or hyaluronic acid, to help reduce inflammation and pain
Radiofrequency ablation which uses heat from radio waves to interrupt the pain signals to the brain
Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy — a treatment that uses the patient's own blood cells to promote healing in the damaged tissues
Opting for a minimally invasive treatment can help patients return to normal activities more quickly and with less discomfort than undergoing traditional surgery. For some types of hip pain, a regimen of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, such as Naproxen, may be useful instead of prescription pain medications that can increase your risk of addiction or cause bothersome side effects.
Best Treatments for Severe Hip and Femur Injury
While minimally invasive procedures are often preferred and used whenever possible, most severe hip and femur injuries may require traditional open surgery for optimal treatment. Open surgery becomes necessary when the extent of damage is too significant for arthroscopic methods to address effectively. These situations might include complex fractures, extensive soft tissue damage, or cases where a wider view of the surgical site is crucial for proper repair.
Although recovery time is typically longer than minimally invasive options, open surgery remains the gold standard for certain conditions due to its ability to address complex issues thoroughly. Open surgery allows surgeons to directly access and manipulate the affected areas, providing more comprehensive treatment for severe injuries. Some of the most common open surgery procedures for severe hip and femur injuries include:
These procedures aim to restore function, alleviate pain, and improve quality of life in cases where less invasive methods may not suffice.
Get Top-Level Care with the Best Orthopedic Surgeon in San Francisco
Choosing the right orthopedic surgeon is essential for getting the best results and the fastest recovery. Dr. James Chen stands out as a leading expert in orthopedic surgery, specializing in hip and femur-related conditions.
Dr. Chen and his highly skilled team are dedicated to providing top-tier surgical services by combining state-of-the-art technology with modern orthopedic techniques. Dr. Chen is also committed to ensuring his patients experience long-lasting results and faster recovery by using the most minimally invasive treatment options. This patient-first approach and commitment to excellence has created a track record of successful surgical outcomes in the Bay Area and helped numerous patients regain their mobility and return to their active lifestyles.
Whether you require minimally invasive arthroscopic procedures or more complex open surgeries, Dr. Chen's expertise and advanced techniques can provide the relief and restoration you need.
Ready to get fast relief from your hip pain or femur injury from the highest-rated orthopedic surgeon in San Francisco?
