Not everyone who has hip problems needs a hip replacement or hip surgery. People who have arthritis in their hips and are able to function on a daily basis can often avoid hip surgery by taking a conservative approach to treatment. According to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, three types of arthritis occur in the hip joint: rheumatoid arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis and systemic lupus erythematosus, all of which may not require surgery.
Assisted Technology
People with arthritis in the hip may benefit from using an assisted walking device. Performing daily activities can cause pain in the hip joint, but devices such as a long shoehorn and a reacher may help. A long shoehorn is a device that assists a person with putting on shoes by taking stress off joints, claims Longshoehorn.com. A reacher is a device that allows an individual to pick up an object off the floor without having to bend over and cause pain in the hip joint. Canes and walkers can help provide stability and ease walking.
Medications and Supplements
Those with arthritis can take aspirin or ibuprofen to help decrease inflammation in the hip joint. If over-the-counter medications do not relieve the pain, corticosteroids may be prescribed to reduce inflammation. Corticosteroids can be given orally, by injection or as creams that are applied on the hip. According to The Hip and Knee Institute, an injection of corticosteroids can provide pain relief from six months to a year. Supplements such as glucosamine and chondroitin might help slow the process of arthritis, reports The Hip and Knee Institute.
Physical Therapy and Exercise
Physical therapy can help strengthen and improve a person's range of motion by keeping the hip joint moving and the muscles around the joint strong. According to The Hip and Knee Institute, people with hip arthritis who participate in exercise often feel better mentally and physically than those who do not exercise. The best exercise for people with arthritis is swimming, the institute explains. Whether swimming laps or walking in the shallow end of a pool, swimming provides resistance and tones the muscles while relieving stress on the joints. Riding a bike is also good exercise; however, avoid exercises such as running, which puts more stress on the joints.
