Hip Injury Treatment in Mount Pleasant, SC
Hip injuries can make walking, exercising, working, and even everyday activities uncomfortable. Whether your pain developed after a fall, sports injury, car accident, or repetitive strain, an accurate diagnosis is the first step toward effective treatment. Blake Ohlson, M.D. provides comprehensive evaluation and treatment for hip injuries in Mount Pleasant, SC, helping patients regain mobility, reduce pain, and safely return to their active lifestyles.
Hip injuries can involve the bones, cartilage, labrum, ligaments, tendons, muscles, or bursae surrounding the joint. Dr. Ohlson offers personalized treatment plans that may include conservative therapies such as activity modification, physical therapy, regenerative medicine, and medications, while also providing advanced surgical care when necessary. Patients throughout Mount Pleasant, Charleston, and Summerville trust Dr. Ohlson for expert orthopedic care focused on restoring long-term hip function.
What is a Hip Joint?
The hip joint is one of the most important and flexible joints in the human body which allows us to walk, run, bend and perform physical activities. It is a ball (femoral head) and socket joint formed between the hip bone and femur (thighbone). It is surrounded by strong muscles and tough ligaments that prevent its dislocation.
What are the Types of Hip Injuries?
The hip joint is prone to several types of injuries. Common ones include:
Fracture
A hip fracture is a break that occurs near the hip in the upper part of the femur or thighbone. It is most frequently caused after minor trauma in elderly patients, and by a high-energy trauma or serious injury in young people. Long-term use of certain medicines, such as bisphosphonates to treat osteoporosis and other bone diseases, can increase the risk of hip fractures.
Bursitis
This is a painful condition caused by inflammation of a bursa in the hip. Bursae are fluid-filled sacs present in joints between bone and soft tissue to reduce friction and provide cushioning during movement. The bony prominence of the hip is called the greater trochanter and is present on the outer side of the femur. The bursa overlying it is called the trochanteric bursa. Another bursa is located towards the groin region and is called the iliopsoas bursa. Trochanteric bursitis is the more common of the two conditions.
Dislocation
This occurs when the head of the femur moves out of the socket. The femoral head can dislocate either backward (posterior dislocation) or forward (anterior dislocation). Hip dislocation can be caused by injuries from motor vehicle accidents or severe falls.
Labral tear
This is an injury to the labrum, the cartilage that surrounds the outside rim of your hip joint socket. A tear in the labrum of the hip can result from traumatic injury, such as a motor vehicle accident or from participating in sports such as football, soccer, basketball, and skiing. Repetitive movements and weight-bearing activities over time can lead to wear-and-tear and degenerative changes to the hip joint in older patients.
Snapping Hip Syndrome
This is a condition in which you hear or feel a snapping sound in the hip while swinging your legs, running or walking, or while getting up from a chair.
What are the Causes of Hip Injuries?
Common causes of hip injuries include:
- An automobile accident
- A fall from a height
- Joints compromised by congenital deformities or osteoporosis
How are Hip Injuries Diagnosed?
Diagnosis of a hip injury often begins with a history and a physical examination. Your doctor may ask you questions related to your general health and any history of accidents or injuries. You will be asked to perform various range-of-motion exercises to replicate your pain. Most patients experience acute pain with weight-bearing and active range of motion, and minimal pain when the doctor moves the hip for them (passive range of motion).
You will also be recommended to undergo imaging studies such as X-rays, CT scans or MRIs to confirm the diagnosis and determine the exact position of the injury.
What are the treatments for Hip Injuries?
Self-care and pain relieving anti-inflammatory medications offer symptomatic relief. However, the exact cause for the pain needs to be addressed. Practicing certain measures can avoid the aggravation of pain and improve the quality of life. Avoiding physical activities that may worsen the pain, stretching the quadriceps and hamstring muscles, and performing warm-up exercises before exercise can improve the condition. Applying ice packs over the region of pain for about 15 minutes 3 to 4 times daily reduces pain and swelling. But if you have an injury with severe hip pain and swelling, talk to your orthopedic surgeon immediately for better treatment outcomes.
Why Choose Dr. Blake Ohlson for Hip Injury Treatment in Mount Pleasant, SC?
When hip pain interferes with your daily life, choosing an experienced orthopedic specialist is essential. Dr. Blake Ohlson combines advanced orthopedic expertise with a patient-centered approach to accurately diagnose the source of your hip pain and recommend the most effective treatment.
Patients in Mount Pleasant, SC choose Dr. Ohlson because he offers:
- Fellowship-trained expertise in orthopedic surgery and sports medicine
- Comprehensive evaluation of acute and chronic hip injuries
- Advanced diagnostic imaging to identify the underlying cause of pain
- Personalized treatment plans tailored to each patient's activity level and goals
- Non-surgical options, including regenerative medicine when appropriate
- Minimally invasive surgical techniques for complex hip conditions
- Comprehensive rehabilitation focused on restoring mobility and preventing future injury
- Convenient care for patients throughout Mount Pleasant, Charleston, and Summerville
Dr. Ohlson's goal is not only to relieve pain but also to help patients return safely to the activities they enjoy with improved strength, stability, and confidence.
Hip Injury FAQs
What are the most common hip injuries?
Common hip injuries include fractures, bursitis, labral tears, hip dislocations, muscle strains, ligament injuries, tendon injuries, and snapping hip syndrome. Each condition requires a different treatment approach.
When should I see a doctor for hip pain?
You should seek evaluation if your hip pain lasts more than a few days, worsens over time, prevents walking normally, follows an injury, or is accompanied by swelling, bruising, or limited range of motion.
How is a hip injury diagnosed?
Diagnosis typically includes a physical examination, review of your symptoms and medical history, and imaging studies such as X-rays, MRI, or CT scans to determine the exact source of the injury.
Can hip injuries heal without surgery?
Yes. Many hip injuries respond well to conservative treatments, including rest, physical therapy, medications, activity modification, and regenerative medicine therapies when appropriate. Surgery is generally recommended only when non-surgical treatment does not provide adequate relief or when the injury is severe.
What causes hip injuries?
Hip injuries may result from sports activities, falls, motor vehicle accidents, repetitive overuse, age-related degeneration, or underlying structural abnormalities within the hip joint.
How long does recovery take after a hip injury?
Recovery depends on the type and severity of the injury. Minor soft tissue injuries may improve within several weeks, while fractures or surgical procedures may require several months of rehabilitation.
Can I continue exercising with a hip injury?
This depends on your diagnosis. Continuing high-impact activities with certain injuries may worsen the condition. Dr. Ohlson can recommend safe activity modifications while you recover.
Do all hip injuries require imaging?
Not always. However, persistent pain, traumatic injuries, or suspected fractures, labral tears, or cartilage injuries often require X-rays or MRI scans to establish an accurate diagnosis.
Schedule a Hip Injury Evaluation in Mount Pleasant, SC
Hip pain doesn't have to keep you from living an active life. Whether you've experienced a recent injury or have ongoing hip discomfort that's limiting your mobility, early evaluation can help prevent further damage and speed your recovery.
Schedule your appointment with Dr. Ohlson to receive a comprehensive evaluation and personalized treatment plan for your hip injury. Proudly serving patients throughout Mount Pleasant, Charleston, Summerville, and surrounding South Carolina communities, Dr. Ohlson is committed to helping you move comfortably and confidently again.