Hip pain during pregnancy is something many women experience, but what happens when it continues after you give birth? Postpartum hip pain, or pelvic girdle pain, is a common occurrence among women after childbirth.
Although it’s uncomfortable, you can overcome postpartum hip pain with simple lifestyle changes and stretches. However, if it continues despite home care, it’s time to make an appointment with the specialists at Alpha Orthopedics & Sports Medicine.
Dr. Jon Thompson and Dr. Brian Snow provide various surgical and conservative treatments for hip pain and joint discomfort. They offer physical therapy, joint injections, and regenerative medicine to alleviate even the toughest pain.
It’s common to have aches and pain during pregnancy — but you don’t expect discomfort to continue after you’ve given birth. Unfortunately, hip pain is something some women experience during and after pregnancy.
Pelvic girdle pain is prevalent after pregnancy, but sometimes resolves on its own. But other women experience hip pain for years after pregnancy, but why? There are several causes of postpartum hip pain, which include:
The pain in the hip can be constant or intermittent and cause a clicking sound with movement. It can also lead to joint stiffness and immobility. Pain sometimes radiates down the affected leg, buttock, or into the back.
There's good news, though — several home therapies and treatments alleviate stubborn postpartum hip pain.
Postpartum hip pain isn’t impossible to eliminate; it just takes some time and effort. We offer several tips and home therapies that stop postpartum hip pain, and they include:
Sleeping on your back or stomach aggravates hip pain, which is why we suggest sleeping on your side. Use a pillow and place it between the knees, and lie on the unaffected hip. It takes pressure off the hips and helps keep them aligned.
Using heat and ice is a great way to alleviate tough pain. Ice eliminates inflammation that causes pain, while heat relaxes the muscles and tissues around the joint for relief.
Stretching is an essential aspect of dealing with hip pain. The less you use the painful hip, the stiffer it becomes. Stretching allows blood to circulate to the hip, which helps heal inflammation and pain. We provide various stretches targeted specifically toward hip pain.
Poor posture is a surefire way to aggravate an already achy hip. Ensure you’re using good posture when carrying your baby or feeding them. It’s also essential to use proper lifting techniques when picking up your baby to avoid straining the hip.
If postpartum hip pain is affecting daily life, it’s time to get professional treatment. Hip pain that persists despite home care could indicate a bigger issue within the joint.
It’s also a good idea to have an evaluation for hip pain that persists for more than six weeks after giving birth. Pain that cuts into time with your baby or prevents you from picking up your child or engaging in activities is also a cause for concern.
Seek treatment immediately if you feel sudden, intense pain within the hip or you’re unable to put weight on the affected hip. Any signs of swelling or redness around the hip or tenderness to touch should also warrant an evaluation from our team.
Physical therapy is an excellent option for postpartum hip pain, especially when home care measures aren’t enough. We often pair physical therapy with home care techniques to give you the best results.
The goal of physical therapy for postpartum hip pain is to strengthen the muscles and other structures that support the hips, thereby decreasing pain and improving functionality. We achieve this through various exercises and stretches.
During an appointment, our team uses various hands-on techniques to loosen the muscles around the hip joint. We then have you practice hip-specific exercises like pelvic tilts, hip flexor stretches, and Kegels to support the structures around the hip.
If physical therapy isn’t enough, we offer joint injections and regenerative medicine treatments to provide immediate relief and long-term care to the affected hip.
Call one of our McKinney and Prosper, Texas, offices or contact our team on our website to schedule an appointment with Dr. Thompson or Dr. Snow to discuss hip pain treatments.
