The hip joint is a compact ball-and-socket joint that holds the weight of the body and is accountable for the action of the upper leg. It has two main parts: a ball (femoral head) at the tip of the thighbone (femur) that goes into a rounded socket (acetabulum), sometimes called the cup, in the hips. Bands of tissue, called ligaments, keep the joint intact and provide balance. The formation of the hip joint allows the extensive range of motion required for everyday activities like walking, squatting, and climbing stairs. Here are some tips on how to avoid needing hip surgery.
Maintain a Healthy Weight
The amount of pressure you put on your hips is directly connected to the amount of pain, especially if you have arthritis—so keeping a healthy weight is essential. If you are overweight, reducing even a few extra pounds can give tremendous relief.
Eat a Healthy and Balanced Diet
Vitamin C helps with the production of collagen, which allows buffer and lubricates the hip bones in their sockets, promotes bone health, and prevents injuries. It is also an excellent idea to combine a wide range of anti-inflammatory and antioxidant-rich meals in your diet, including dark, leafy greens, fatty fish like salmon, extra virgin olive oil, berries, and nuts and seeds.
Prevent Any Potential Hazards to Avoid Injury Around the House
The home should be the safest place for us. It happens to be where most accidents occur. There is no time like the present to evaluate your home through the lens of hip health to see if there’s room for improvement. Something as simple as keeping out clutter or enhancing the lighting in your home can help reduce your potential for slips, trips and falls, which are vital contributors to hip fractures.
Exercise Properly and Regularly
Even simple exercise can help keep strong muscles, delay bone loss, promote balance, and keeping your hips healthy and flexible can help prevent injury in the future. Be proactive about stretching and exercise regularly, with proper form, to help maintain a healthy range of movement in your hips. It can be as easy as swimming a few laps or climbing stairs. Just be sure to consult with your doctor before commencing a new workout program.
Listen to Your Body and Rest If You Must
Physical activity can help ease hip pain caused by arthritis or bursitis, but it is essential to consider the signals your body sends. Slight muscle soreness is common after exercise, but if the pain remains more than a few days or it becomes worse, it could be a more prominent warning sign. If you ever feel a sharp, shooting pain while exercising, stop the physical activity right away and call your doctor.
