A surprisingly wide variety of health conditions can result in hip pain, including injuries, arthritis, pinched nerves, cancer, and osteoporosis. While some hip pain can be rectified with self-care, such as low-impact exercise and ice packs, more severe pain requires medical attention. Orthopedic doctor Peter A. Matsuura, M.D., of Hilo, HI, offers comprehensive care for hip injuries, among other services, and is renowned for his sensitivity in treating the whole person, not just one or two symptoms.

Before you start worrying that you might need hip surgery, you first need to figure out if your hip pain is a sign of an actual hip problem. Below, Dr. Matsuura lists and explains a few signs of a problem with the hip:

• Joint Pain: Pain on the inside or outside of the hip joint indicates a hip problem. Joint problems limit mobility: For example, you may find yourself unable to bend over and place your forehead on your knee if you're experiencing pain in your hip joint.

• Joint Stiffness: Hilo's top orthopedic specialist notes that stiffness and swelling often accompany hip joint pain. This pain makes it very difficult to move your legs and hips: for instance, it will be hard for you to lift your leg while you're in a seated position.
• Foot Pain: Hip issues frequently cause foot pain, as you’re constantly making bodily adjustments to accommodate the pain and get a little relief. Pain in the hip also often makes people put more weight on different parts of the feet, resulting in foot pain.

It’s also common for hip pain to make putting weight on the correlating leg unbearable. Additionally, you may experience pain in your groin and buttocks, depending on the cause of your hip issue. When you come in for your appointment, Dr. Matsuura will determine the cause of your hip problem and devise a viable treatment plan. If the issue is severe, such as a serious hip fracture, and will require hip surgery to fix, Dr. Matsuura will review the options and procedure with you before taking any further steps.

When you're experiencing hip pain, you need an experienced orthopedic doctor who will take the time to listen to your symptoms and concerns and who will work with you to create the best treatment plan possible. Peter A. Matsuura, M.D., offers a wide variety of orthopedic medical services, including non-operative management and surgical options, for patients of all ages and lifestyles. For more information or to schedule an appointment with him, call (808) 969-3331 or visit his website today.