Questions For The Doctor

When you go to the first appointment, you want to bring your medical history and any medications you are currently taking. You should also put together a list of questions for the doctor.

There are some questions you want to ask, such as:

• How often do you treat patients with hip pain?
• What do you think is the cause of my pain?
• Will I need any tests performed?
• What are the options for treatment?
• Will I need physical therapy?
• How can I manage pain while I am at home?
• Will I need surgery?
• Are there risks associated with the surgery?
• Will I need to stay in the hospital?
• What is the recovery process?

You may have other questions about your hip pain. Therefore, you should talk to the doctor about all of the treatment options. You should always feel safe and that you trust the orthopedist.

If you are searching for a board-certified doctor that treats hip pain, call us at

Is It Back Pain Or Hip Pain Getting To The Root Of The Problem

If you have pain in your low back, hips, and other areas in your lower body, the source isnt always easy to pinpoint. Your pain may originate in your lumbar spine or your hipor bothand its important that your doctor identifies the source of the problem, so you receive the right treatment.

Because the hips and lower spine are located so closely together, its easy to mistake back pain for hip pain . Regardless of the origin, most low back pain and hip pain share a common cause: normal wear and tear on the body due to aging or triggered by overuse injuries . Lumbar sprains and strains, osteoarthritis, and herniated discs are common degenerative culprits behind low back and hip pain.Determining if pain is back or hip related can be difficult to distinguish because the lower back and hips are close to each other. Photo Source: 123RF.com.

Back Pain Treatment In Westlake And Avon Ohio

Orthopaedic Associates, Inc. has an excellent orthopedic team comprised of 13 board-certified, fellowship-trained surgeons who deeply care for our patients. We take your treatment seriously and will stop at nothing to ensure you find relief.

If you are ready to say goodbye to back pain, call us today at 892-1440 to make an appointment. You can also request an appointment online. We look forward to serving you in our Westlake and Avon clinics!

Recommended Reading: Can Constipation Cause Severe Pain

How A Doctor Diagnoses Hip Problems

When a patient visits a hip specialist to help diagnose a hip problem, there are three parts to the examination the medical history, the physical examination, and diagnostic imaging.

During the medical history, the hip surgeon will try to find out if you have developed your problem through heredity, through lifestyle habits or through a sudden sports injury. This will give the physician the best idea of how to find out exactly what is wrong, and then suggest proper treatment of the injury. You should indicate to your doctor if you have been using steroids since they can cause joint inflammation. Lyme Disease from the deer tick and rheumatoid arthritis can also trigger joint inflammation, for instance.

Following the medical history, your doctor will give a physical examination to hear or feel what is wrong. This portion of the exam is somewhat like a carpenter trying to find out why a hinge on a door is squeaking or is not properly aligned by opening and closing the door a few times to listen to what is going on. This will show the doctor which tests he or she should perform to find out the cause of your pain.

Next, the physician may have an MRI or x-ray image taken of your hip. An X-ray often times does not provide the clarity needed to see precisely what is wrong. In these instances, an MRI or CT-Scan is used. X-rays, for example, only show bones. MRI and CT-Scans show soft tissues.

Be Proactive About Your Back Pain Treatment Plan

If the current treatment plan for your back pain isn’t working, consider researching various spine specialists on your own. There may be a different type of health professional who is better suited to treat your condition.

Before you see a specialist, write down a clear description of your symptoms and the treatments you’ve tried. This written record can help you to better communicate with your new doctor. Also, don’t be shy about seeking a second opinion if you think it will help alleviate your back pain.

Read Also: Jaw Pain 3 Weeks After Wisdom Tooth Extraction

Holistic And Osteopathic Specialists

In the event of chronic or severe back pain, many individuals tend to prefer to see osteopathic or holistic specialists. These types of doctors and professionals include osteopathic physicians and chiropractic specialists.

Osteopaths are put through the same training and licensing/certification processes that all medical doctors must obtain to practice medicine, but they tend to do additional studies of the musculoskeletal system. They then will prefer to treat pain problems medically, but with an additional emphasis on the potential lifestyle and environmental factors which may be contributing to the pain problem.

Chiropractors are trained in the proper alignment of the spine and may be able to provide some of the most immediate relief to back pain problems. This is done through periodic adjustments and treatments that attempt to maintain alignment and prevent further pain issues.

Whats The Role Of Chiropractic Care

Some doctors refer back pain sufferers to a physical therapist right away. But many people with back pain see acupuncturists, massage therapists, or a chiropractor on their own. Experts disagree about the role of chiropractic care, and there are not many high-quality studies to consult about this approach. As a result, there are a number of questions regarding the role of chiropractic care: Should it be a routine part of initial care? Should it be reserved for people who dont improve with other treatments? Are some people more likely to improve with chiropractic care than others?

The answers to these questions go beyond any academic debate about how good chiropractic care is. Estimates suggest that low back pain costs up to $200 billion a year in the US , and its a leading cause of disability worldwide. With the backdrop of the opioid crisis, we badly need an effective, safe, and non-opioid alternative to treat low back pain.

Recommended Reading: Lower Back Pain When Standing Up

When Lying Down What Causes Pain That Shoots From The Knee To The Ankle

It all depends on where the pain is shooting from. If the pain starts in the buttocks and shoots down the back of the leg past the knee to the ankle, that is most likely a pinched nerve in the back. Patients with a pinched nerve in the back often cant lie down flat, and they will have use a recliner or wedged pillow to relieve some pain when laying down.

However, if the pain is just from the knee down, the issue could be from a knee pathology.

To Relieve Hip Pain Try Thesefirst:

• See your primary care doctor. He or she will likely prescribe nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs to see if hip pain improves.
• Lose weight. Shedding extra pounds is critical in relieving hip pain. Losing weight often reduces symptoms to the point where surgery is not necessary, says Dr. Murray. It also increases your chances of a successful outcome if surgery is one day warranted.

Also Check: Back Pain Caused By Stress

How Doctors Get To Root Of Your Pain

If you have pain in your lower body and arent sure whether your back or hip is to blame, a good first course of action is to visit your personal doctor. He or she will review your medical history and may perform a series of physical exam tests to get to the root of your pain. Alternatively, your personal doctor may refer you to a doctor who specializes in the hip or spine to make an accurate diagnosis.

Your doctor will ask you to describe your pain, including its location, when it worsens/is relieved, and what the pain feels like .

After listening to your description of your pain, your doctor may have you perform several maneuvers or movements as part of a physical exam. The goal of these maneuvers is to determine what movements recreate your pain. One such maneuver is called the Flexion Abduction External Rotation test, which helps determine if the disorder is sourced in your hip and may illuminate sacroiliac joint problems. During this test, you lie down your back while flexing and rotating your hips. Your doctor may also palpate the area of pain.

Next, your doctor may also order imaging scans, such an x-ray to view your bones or an MRI to view soft tissues , which may help reveal the true nature of the spinal or hip problem. It is important for your doctor to then determine if your complaints and exam findings can be explained by what is seen on the images.

Read Also: Is Aleve Good For Back Pain

Should You See A Chiropractor For Low Back Pain

If youve ever seen a doctor for back pain, youre not alone. An estimated 85% of people experience back pain severe enough to see a doctor for at some point in their life. Yet despite how common it is, the precise cause of pain is often unclear. And a single, best treatment for most low back pain is unknown. For these reasons, doctors recommendations tend to vary. “Standard care” includes a balance of rest, stretching and exercise, heat, pain relievers, and time. Some doctors also suggest trying chiropractic care. The good news is that no matter what treatment is recommended, most people with a recent onset of back pain are better within a few weeks often within a few days.

You May Like: Which Doctor For Knee Pain

Where To Start With Back Pain

Low back pain is one of the most common complaints on the planet.

And when someone starts experiencing back pain it can be so frightening that we immediately want an expert that will somehow magically get rid of it.

Unfortunately, theres just no unicorns and rainbows when it comes to solving back pain.

Realize that most back pain will resolve on its own. What Im saying here is that your major ache or tweaked out back doesnt require a specialist in most cases.

Some of the most common causes of acute or sudden back pain include an injury:

• to a muscle or tendon
• to a back ligament
• to a bulging disc .

And the reality is, many of these issues will eventually resolve on their own.

In my personal opinion, the first time someone starts to experience back pain, they should immediately start doing back extension exercises.

I would continue to do back extensions every 3-4 hours throughout the day for at least 3 days.

And if you notice that youre feeling better, continue for another 1-2 weeks.

But if your low back pain doesnt improve, then maybe there is something more serious happening.

More serious causes of back pain include:

• a narrowing of the spinal canal
• disc tears or herniations
• severe degenerative disc disease
• spinal infections

So if your back pain doesnt improve with back extensions and modified activities, then youd want to consider someone who is qualified to properly assess the situation.

What Causes Hip Pain

Hip pain is extremely common and can be difficult for most people to determine exactly where it is coming from. Sometimes the pain is related to the hip joint itself, but it can also be related to conditions in other parts of your body.

Common causes of this type of hip pain include the following:

• Arthritis including osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis
• Injuries including bursitis , tendonitis , dislocations, fractures, and labral tears
• Pinched nerves including sciatica
• Other issues impingement and avascular necrosis

Recommended Reading: Pain In Hip When Squatting

Treating Your Hip Pain

Once the orthopedic specialist is able to diagnose the cause of your hip pain, they can develop a treatment plan specific to your needs. In some situations simple rest will alleviate your pain naturally over time. In other situations, your doctor may prescribe medication or physical therapy to aid your recovery. In more severe cases, your doctor could recommend surgery.

Hip Abductor Strengthening Exercises

Strengthening hip abductors is vital for correcting walking posture and reducing the chance of future injuries. You can try these simple hip abductor exercises at home to engage and stretch your muscles in different ways.

Many can be done with a resistance band to increase the difficulty and results, though start without one for your first few sessions. As always, know your limits and dont overdo it. You do not want to pull a hip abductor!

Read Also: Leg Pain After Hernia Surgery

Do Sleeping Positions Affect Lower Back Pain

There are a few sleeping positions that can help reduce the pain, but there are also some positions that can make the pain worse. If youre not sure whats best for you, talk to your doctor or physical therapist.

One of the most important things to consider when sleeping is spinal alignment. This is especially important if you have lower back pain. The pain is often worse when the spine is not in alignment.

There are a few different sleeping positions that can help keep the spine in alignment and reduce pain. These include sleeping on your side with a pillow between your knees, sleeping on your stomach with a pillow under your pelvis, and sleeping on your back with a pillow under your knees.

If you have lower back pain, its also important to avoid sleeping on your back with a pillow under your head. This position can put too much pressure on the discs in your back and make the pain worse.

What Are The Treatments For Hip Pain

Dr. Fuller is an experienced and proactive pain management physician who takes a hands-on approach to help you get relief.

Your hip pain treatment plan may include physical therapy and ultrasound, or fluoroscopically-guided joint and tendon injections. The type of injection you need may depend on the cause of your hip pain.

Dr. Fuller also specializes in regenerative medicine and offers both stem cell therapy and platelet-rich plasma therapy, which he may include in your treatment plan to help heal your injured or damaged tissue.

For expert care of your hip pain from a compassionate physician, contact Mountain Spine & Pain Physicians by calling the office or using the online booking button today.

.

Also Check: How To Help With Chest Pain

So What Are The Highlights

How To Get Rid Of Upper Back Pain

When we think of pain, it is usually associated with an injury or trauma.

But a lot of upper back and neck pain seems to come out of the blue, leaving you uncomfortable and asking how to get rid of upper back pain.

According to the American Chiropractic Association, half of all working Americans report suffering from back pain and another study reveals that nearly 60% of Americans wouldnt tell a medical professional if they were suffering from chronic pain.

This pain can be caused by a number of factors such as working at a computer or simply sitting at a desk too long and can interrupt your life.

If this is you and youre left asking how to get rid of upper back pain, dont worry weve got your back!

Here are ten things to try when you need to know how to get rid of upper back pain.

Recommended Reading: Mayo Clinic Low Back Pain Exercises

Read Also: Pain And Suffering Settlement Examples Liberty Mutual

Specialists Who Treat Back Pain

There are many types of health practitioners that care for patients with spinal conditions, and each has a slightly different role. Selection of the most appropriate type of health professional – or team of health professionals – largely depends on the patient’s symptoms and the length of time the symptoms have been present.

The different types of health professionals who treat back pain tend to have varied training and interests. While it is common to start off with a primary care provider , if the patient’s back pain is resistant to initial treatment then the services of a spine specialist may be necessary.

Orthopedic Doctor In Merriam Ks

Orthopedic doctors are equipped with knowledge and skills to address your hip pain. If you are experiencing hip pain that is not resolved with rest and over-the-counter medications, dont hesitate to seek medical help.

Here at Midwest Orthopaedics, we offer you quality orthopedic care for hip pain through nonsurgical and surgical treatments. We assure you that our board-certified providers will give you and your family the patient-centered care you deserve.

For questions and concerns, call us at 362-8317. You can also request an appointment with us through our secure online form. We look forward to helping you relieve your pain!

Read Also: Aleve For Lower Back Pain

You May Like: Pain In Knee When Kneeling

When To Seek Treatment For Your Arthritis

Arthritis doesnt have to spell the end of an active life. If you are experiencing worrisome symptoms or persistent pain, the renowned arthritis specialists at Summit Orthopedics can help. We work with you to confirm a diagnosis and develop an appropriate conservative treatment plan. If nonsurgical treatments fail to support your lifestyle goals, fellowship-trained orthopedic surgeons will consult with you and discuss appropriate surgical options. Summit is home to innovative joint replacement options. Our Vadnais Heights Surgery Center is one of a select few nationally to receive The Joint Commissions Advanced Certification for Total Hip and Total Knee Replacement.

Start your journey to healthier joints. Find your arthritis expert, schedule an appointment online, or call us at to schedule a consultation.

Summit has convenient locations across the Minneapolis-St. Paul metro area, serving Minnesota and western Wisconsin. We have state-of-the-art centers for comprehensive orthopedic care in Eagan, MN, Plymouth, MN, Vadnais Heights, MN, and Woodbury, MN, as well as additional community clinics throughout the metro and southern Minnesota.