Hip pain - When should you see a doctor?

About 1 in 4 people over the age of 60 will suffer from hip pain. With such a significant number affected, can hip pain really be attributed solely to aging? The pain can be debilitating, impacting all your daily activities and depriving you of the joy of doing what you love. It can keep you awake late at night due to the inability to find a comfortable sleeping position. What's particularly frustrating about hip pain is the difficulty in identifying its exact cause. If the first treatment fails, it's tempting to give up, accepting the pain as an inevitable part of life: "I just have a painful hip now." But this is not inevitable! Let's first explore the most common causes of hip pain and their treatments. This will give you an idea of what you might be suffering from and help you have an informed discussion with your doctor.

Arthritis as a Cause of Hip Pain

Among those aged 65 and older, about one in two people has arthritis. Although arthritis can affect people of all ages, seniors need to consider additional factors to optimize their symptom management. The most common cause of chronic hip pain is arthritis, with osteoarthritis being the most prevalent type. Arthritis affects women more often than men. According to Statistics Canada, 51% of women aged 65 and older in Canada have arthritis, compared to 34% of men aged 65 and older. Why is this a bigger problem for women? Their anatomy differs from that of men. Women's hips are generally wider than their knees, unlike men's. Additionally, the alignment of women's knee joints is often less optimal than men's.

What Causes Hip Arthritis?

Simply put, the hip joint, being the largest ball-and-socket joint in the human body, undergoes significant wear and tear. Every step you take, or even every movement in your bed, stresses this joint, which can lead to premature wear.

How to Treat Hip Arthritis?

There is no miracle cure, but several approaches can reduce pain and improve your quality of life. Here are some options::

Lifestyle Changes:

Exercices :

Low-impact activities like walking, cycling, or tai chi..

Weight loss:

If necessary, aiming for a 5% weight loss over 20 weeks can be beneficial..

Aids for daily walks:

Cane or crutches.

Medication:

Acetaminophen (Tylenol).
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (aspirin, ibuprofen, naproxen).
Anti-inflammatory creams.
Duloxetine (Cymbalta).
Capsaicin.

Surgery:

Some doctors may recommend joint lavage and arthroscopic debridement. However, the effectiveness of these procedures is debated within the medical community. Joint lavage involves cleaning and rinsing the joint with a sterile solution, with mixed results. Arthroscopic debridement involves removing loose tissue from the hip joint, also with controversial results. These two interventions have been described as effective short-term solutions as well as mere placebos.

Ensure Your Safety This Summer with These Simple Tips for Seniors

These tips are valuable for helping seniors stay safe and enjoy the summer despite the challenges that heat can present. Here are some key points to ensure their well-being:

Hydration: Encourage them to drink plenty of water and natural juices throughout the day to avoid dehydration, especially in hot weather.

Protection from the Heat: Advise them to stay indoors during the hottest parts of the day and wear light, loose-fitting clothing when they go out. Wide-brimmed hats and sunglasses are also helpful for sun protection.

Nutrition: Ensure they have balanced, easy-to-prepare meals on hot days. Fresh and light foods like fruits and salads can be very appreciated.

Cooling: If they don't have access to air conditioning, suggest tips to stay cool, such as using wet towels or visiting air-conditioned places like shopping malls or libraries.

Medical Safety: Emphasize the importance of seeing a doctor quickly if they feel unwell or show symptoms of heat-related illnesses, such as weakness, headaches, or dizziness.

Disease Prevention: Encourage the use of insect repellent to protect against mosquito-borne diseases like West Nile virus.

Community Support: Encourage them to stay in touch with neighbors and support each other during extreme heat periods. The community can play a crucial role in maintaining the safety and well-being of seniors.

By following these tips and staying vigilant about the well-being of seniors, we can all help make summer safer and more enjoyable for everyone.