Hip pain can turn even simple activities like walking or running into a daily struggle. Whether it’s a dull ache or sharp discomfort, pain in the hip area can limit your mobility and affect your quality of life. If you’re experiencing hip pain in Chicago—especially from walking or running—there are effective, non-surgical treatment options that can help. At MAPS Centers for Pain Control, we’re here to help you move comfortably again.
What Causes Hip Pain When Walking or Running?
Several conditions caused hip pain while walking or running:
- Osteoarthritis: Joints are lined with cartilage, a type of connective tissue. When this cartilage wears away, your bones start to rub against each other, resulting in chronic inflammation. If you develop osteoarthritis in your hip, you may experience pain while walking or running.
- Muscle strain: Walking and running are great for maintaining your cardiovascular health, but they put stress on your hips and joints. You may experience hip pain if you strain one of the muscles in your hips.
- Labral tear: The labrum is a strong piece of cartilage designed to reinforce each hip joint. In some people, repetitive movement can cause tears or other types of damage, leading to pain while walking or running.
- Tendonitis: Tendons connect bones to muscles, allowing your body to make a variety of movements. If one of the tendons in your hip becomes inflamed, you may experience pain while walking or running.
When Should You See a Doctor for Hip Pain?
For some people, hip pain is a minor problem that resolves with a few days of rest. You may also be able to control your pain by taking over-the-counter medications, applying heat or using ice packs. See a doctor if your pain persists even after you’ve tried these common self-care measures.
In some cases, hip pain is a sign of a serious problem, so seek medical attention right away if you notice any of the following:
- Intense pain
- Visible deformity of the hip joint
- Severe swelling of the hip
- Inability to move your hip or your leg
- Difficulty walking or bearing weight
Advanced Treatments for Hip Pain at MAPS Centers for Pain Control
Many people avoid seeking treatment for pain because they’re worried about the prospect of having surgery. MAPS Centers for Pain Control offers non-surgical treatment options, enabling you to get hip pain relief without invasive procedures.
When you come to MAPS Centers for Pain Control, you’ll meet with a doctor who has extensive experience treating the pain caused by walking and running. After a thorough assessment, we’ll develop a treatment plan based on your unique needs.
You may benefit from one of the following treatments:
- Trigger point injections: You may experience pain if you have knots in your hip muscles. Trigger point injections allow us to deliver medication directly to the affected area, relieving pain quickly.
- Hyaluronic acid injections: If you have osteoarthritis, we can inject hyaluronic acid directly into your hip joints. Hyaluronic acid is a natural substance used to lubricate the joints, so it can help with the friction associated with cartilage loss.
- Intra-articular joint injections: Like trigger point injections, intra-articular joint injections allow us to deliver medication directly to your hip. The difference is that intra-articular injections target the joints instead of the muscles.
- Viscosupplementation: Viscosupplementation is helpful for treating arthritis, as it delivers a lubricating substance directly to the hip joint. This substance cushions the joint and reduces friction.
- Ganglion impar block: Your pelvis has a nerve bundle known as the ganglion impar. If you’ve been having pain in Chicago, injecting an anesthetic into this bundle of nerves can offer immediate relief.
How to Prevent Pain While Walking or Running
One of the best ways to prevent hip pain while walking or running is to wear supportive shoes. Although your feet aren’t close to your hips, they help you align your body correctly while walking, running and performing other movements. Proper footwear ensures proper alignment, reducing discomfort.
It’s also important to work on your running form. Positioning your body correctly reduces stress on your hips, preventing pain. Be sure to get plenty of rest in between walking or running sessions, especially if you’ve had hip pain in the past.
Get Relief Today
At MAPS Centers for Pain Control, we’re dedicated to treating pain with compassion. If you’re looking for non-surgical pain relief in Chicago, contact us to schedule an appointment.