🦴 Hip Osteoarthritis: Gentle Guidance for Pain Relief – Internist geriatrician PCP Georgetown TX
- Dr. Mohammad Al Darawsha MD
- Aug 4, 2025
- 4 min read
Hip stiffness, aching after walks, or pain getting out of a chair can make everyday life harder than it needs to be. The good news? With the right plan, most people feel stronger, steadier, and more comfortable. At Wellness Bay Primary Care, your trusted Internist geriatrician PCP Georgetown TX, we combine patience, clear education, and practical steps that fit your life.
💡 What Is Hip Osteoarthritis?
Hip osteoarthritis (OA) is “wear‑and‑repair” change in the joint where the femoral head meets the acetabulum. Over time, the smooth cartilage thins, the joint gets irritated, and movement can feel stiff or painful—especially in the groin, side of the hip, or buttock.
🔬 Pathophysiology (How It Happens)
Cartilage thinning: Loss of the slick cushion that lets the joint glide.
Low‑grade inflammation: The joint lining (synovium) gets irritated.
Bone changes: The body forms osteophytes (bone spurs) and the bone under cartilage becomes denser.
Muscle imbalance: Hip and core muscles weaken, adding extra joint stress.
🧭 Common Causes & Risk Factors
Age and family history
Prior hip injury or labral tears
Overuse from repetitive impact sports or work
Excess body weight (more load on the hip)
Structural issues (hip dysplasia, impingement)
Metabolic factors (diabetes, inflammatory conditions)
🛡️ Prevention & Joint Protection
Maintain a healthy weight (even a small loss reduces load).
Choose low‑impact movement: walking on even ground, cycling, swimming.
Build strength: glutes, hips, core 2–3×/week.
Use supportive shoes; consider simple orthotics if your arch collapses.
Pace activities: alternate tasks, take short breaks, avoid long periods of sitting.
(Tip from our primary care clinic Georgetown TX: set a timer to stand and stretch every 45–60 minutes.)
🧪 How We Diagnose (Investigations) by Internist geriatrician PCP Georgetown TX
At our family medical clinic in Georgetown TX, evaluation is friendly and unrushed:
History & exam: Where the pain is, what worsens/relieves it, range of motion, gait.
X‑rays: Look for joint‑space narrowing, osteophytes, and alignment.
Labs: If we suspect gout, rheumatoid arthritis, or infection.
Ultrasound or MRI (select cases): If the diagnosis is unclear or we’re assessing soft tissues/labrum.
🧰 Treatment Options (Stepwise & Personalized)
🏠 Home Remedies & Lifestyle
Activity tuning: Keep moving daily but avoid long, high‑impact sessions.
Heat in the morning, ice after activity as needed.
Stretching: Hip flexors, hamstrings, and gentle external rotation.
Strength plan: Bridges, sit‑to‑stand, side‑lying leg lifts; progress slowly.
Assistive options: Trekking poles, cane on the opposite side of pain for longer walks.
💊 Medications (used thoughtfully)
Topicals first: Diclofenac gel, menthol/capsaicin creams.
Oral analgesics: Acetaminophen as a gentle start; NSAIDs if appropriate (we review kidney, stomach, and heart risks).
Short courses only during flares; we avoid chronic opioid therapy.
💉 Procedures (if needed)
Corticosteroid injection: For significant flares to calm inflammation.
Hyaluronic acid (case‑by‑case).
Surgical referral: When pain limits life despite best conservative care—hip replacement is very effective for advanced OA.
(Decisions are shared with you at our internal medicine doctor near me clinic—no pressure, just options.)
🥗 Lifestyle Changes That Help the Most
Anti‑inflammatory eating pattern: Colorful veggies/fruit, lean protein, olive oil, nuts, whole grains; limit ultra‑processed foods and added sugars.
Sleep & stress care: Better sleep lowers pain sensitivity; try breathing exercises or gentle mindfulness.
Weight management: We offer supportive, non‑judgmental programs; ask our Georgetown Texas doctors about safe supplement options if desired.
🩺 When to See a Doctor (or Seek More Testing)
Pain lasts >2–4 weeks, limits walking, or interrupts sleep
Catching/locking, new leg weakness, or sudden swelling/redness
Fever, unexplained weight loss, or history of cancer
You want a clear plan for exercise, relief, and long‑term joint health
You’re considering injections or wondering if it’s time to discuss surgery
Our top rated primary care physician near me team in Georgetown TX will meet you where you are and build a plan that fits your day‑to‑day life.
❓ Top 10 FAQs – Hip Osteoarthritis
1) Is groin pain really from the hip?Often yes—hip OA frequently presents as groin pain that may travel to the thigh or knee.
2) Can I still walk for exercise?Absolutely. Choose even surfaces, shorter bouts, and supportive shoes.
3) Are squats bad?Not when done correctly and pain‑free. We scale depth and add support (chair/rail).
4) Do supplements help?Some patients report benefit from omega‑3s, turmeric/curcumin, or collagen; we personalize advice at our Georgetown adult medicine clinic.
5) Heat or ice?Heat to loosen, ice to calm after activity—use whichever feels best.
6) How long till I feel better?Many feel improvement in 2–6 weeks with a consistent plan.
7) When do injections make sense?For flares or when pain blocks therapy—typically after trying topicals, meds, and PT.
8) Will I need surgery?Only if pain and function remain poor despite good conservative care.
9) Can weight loss really help?Even 5–10% weight loss reduces joint load and pain.
10) Why Wellness Bay?Compassionate visits, practical home programs, and shared decisions—from a Medicare primary care physician near me you can trust.
💬 Let’s Keep You Healthy, Together
The Medicare Wellness Visit is your chance to pause, plan, and protect your future health. At Wellness Bay Primary Care, we make this visit meaningful, respectful, and centered on you.
📍 Visit us at 4887 Williams Dr Ste 107, Georgetown TX
📞 Call 512.588.7008 or📲 Book online
Proudly, our Internal Medicine Primary Care Practice is Accepting new patients From:
Georgetown, Sun City, Round Rock, Cedar Park, Leander, Liberty Hill, Florence, Jarrell, Taylor, Hutto, Pflugerville, North Austin, Brushy Creek, Temple, Harker Heights, Bartram, Lampasas, Killeen, Lago Vista, and surrounding areas across Williamson County and North Austin TX
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