Debilitating hip pain caused by osteoarthritis plagues thousands of men and women who have passed the age of 40, health studies show, but there may be several ways to counter it. Acute and chronic pain may be treated with medications but it may also be alleviated with the use of complementary therapies, according to the International Association for the Study of Pain (IASP). Complementary therapy is now being recognized and established as a branch in medicine that is commonly used to treat various forms of ailments. Alternative medicine may be a viable option for those who have suffered problems with their hip implants, especially the ones who are waiting for the new administrator and special masters of the ASR multidistrict litigation.

Various studies are being conducted to investigate the effects of unconventional treatments for hip pain caused by osteoarthritis. Lifestyle changes, medications and surgical procedures are popularly used in treating hip pain, but now there are other possible treatments that may help patients feel relief.


Complementary therapies for hip pain include:

-      Herbal remedies – these are the use of fruits, vegetable and herbs in treating osteoarthritis.  Devil’s claw and willow bark are two of the herbs used for treating pain and stiffness caused by osteoarthritis.

-      Acupuncture – this method involves inserting very thin needles in specific points of the body. This is commonly used by Chinese as it helps in balancing the chi or the flow of energy. Those who have used acupuncture together with routine care have experienced an improvement with their condition, according to a study published in the National Center for biotechnology Information (NCBI).

-      Dietary supplements – Glucosamine/chondroitin Arthritis Intervention Trial (GAIT) was the largest study funded by the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM) and the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS). The effects of glucosamine and chondroitin sulphate were investigated and observed for six months. It was found that the participants have a positive reduction in pain while they were using glucosamine with chondroitin sulphate.

-      Massage – this helps release the tension in the muscles and may bring relaxation. However, the massage therapist needs to be aware that the hip area will be sensitive to touch.


The use of alternative treatments for hip pain may be promising but it is best to inform the attending physician first before trying any of the treatments. Problems with metal hip implants may allow more individuals to explore other possible treatments. One may visit the DePuy Hip Recall News Center to know why patients have suffered hip implant problems.

 

URL References:
ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17075849
nccam.nih.gov/research/results/gait/qa.htm
amtamassage.org/articles/3/MTJ/detail/1768
iasp-pain.org/AM/Template.cfm?Section=Guide_to_Pain_Management_in_Low_Resource_Settings&Template=/CM/ContentDisplay.cfm&ContentID=12168
niams.nih.gov/Health_Info/Osteoarthritis/#3

Some might prefer a more conservative approach since a hip replacement surgery may seem taxing, health experts believe, especially since the operation is known to have several complications. The artificial ball and socket that takes the place of the natural joint is much smaller, according to the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS), hence the hip device is prone to dislocations. For this reason, some men and women who are undergoing hip pain would rather try alternative treatments for hip pain that have less severe complications. A simple lifestyle change to difficult surgical procedures are some of the options for easing hip pain.


Lifestyle changes are often the first advice that most orthopedic experts give their patients who are experiencing hip pain. Diet, exercise, rest, weight loss and walking aids are often recommended to help ease the pressure on the joint and relieve the pain. The added weight gives more pressure to the problematic joint, hence, dietary changes and weight reduction will help. A temporary way to decrease the pain may be felt with using a warm and cold compress. These lifestyle changes may aid in lessening the pain and damage in the hip joints, although some may not be able to feel relief.

Medications may be prescribed by health care providers if the pain does not lessen with non-pharmacologic approaches. The medication used for inflammation may be non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). Acetaminophen, on the other hand, may be used there is no inflammation. If the patient is not responding well to lower doses, they might be given stronger analgesics. Any adverse reactions to the medication are to be reported to the physician and patients need to be possible effects of these medications. The long-term use of these medications may lead to more problems, hence, they need to be used sparingly.


Orthopedic specialists may suggest other means to eliminate these joint discomforts through surgery if patients do not respond to other non-surgical methods. If one still does not want to have a hip replacement surgery, then an osteotomy might be a viable option. It involves cutting out the diseased portion of the joint and realigning the bone, but the recovery of this operation may take up much time. These men and women may choose their own desired treatment for the discomfort that they feel. Patients are more aware of the hip implant recall, especially if they are considering to have a hip replacement surgery.



URL References:
niams.nih.gov/Health_Info/Hip_Replacement/#3
nhs.uk/Conditions/Hip-replacement/Pages/Alternatives.aspx
nytimes.com/health/guides/disease/osteoarthritis/lifestyle-changes.html