Common Hip Problems For Seniors And How To Deal With Them

The human body has many organs and tissues with different types of functions.The hip, for instance, is a pair of joints connecting the lower limbs to the pelvic girdle.The hip is a ball and socket type of joint that may develop different types of issues.

The joint can develop problems as a result of physical trauma experienced during a fall, car accident, or any other type of event that may lead to hip injuries.Illnesses can also cause problems in the hip joint.For instance, arthritis may affect the hip joints, causing problems as a result.

Overworking the hip joints as well as long periods of immobility can cause problems.Hip Problems in AdultsYounger individuals may not even think about their hips.After all, they can easily walk and run whenever they want.In addition to that, medical conditions, such as arthritis, are not usually uncommon in younger adults.Photo by Sasun Bughdaryan on UnsplashSeniors, on the other hand, may have osteoarthritis, osteoporosis, and several other medical conditions that may affect their hip joints.

Proper management and treatment of these conditions can help to reduce the pain and challenges associated with hip problems.Causes of Hip Problems in SeniorsAs stated earlier, there are numerous causes of hip problems in the aging population.Below is a list of some of these problems:i) OsteoporosisThis is a medical condition commonly associated with aging.Over the years, bones lose their density and strength, becoming brittle as a result.

That is why seniors can easily have multiple broken bones after a fall.Unfortunately, osteoporosis also makes it difficult for broken bones to heal.This means that some seniors may be confined to a wheelchair for life just because of a broken bone.

This means that adults are fragile, so they need to be careful at all times.If any bone in the hips is affected, chances are high that the affected person will have hip problems.Homes need to be made more friendly for adults to reduce the risk of falls.

Installing railing and proper lighting along staircases are usually recommended if there is a senior living in the house.Seniors should also consider moving from bedrooms on the upper floor to the lower floor.ii) FallsThis is the most common cause of broken bones for seniors.Falls are usually more frequent than it is reported.

Seniors can fall from the bed to the floor, down the stairs as well as in the bathroom.These are the three most common areas where falls are usually reported.Mikael Hggstrm, using source image by BruceBlaus, CC BY-SA 4.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0>, via Wikimedia CommonsPoor lighting in the room, throw rugs on the floor and uneven floor surfaces are common causes of falls.However, the side effects of certain medications are also known to cause fall incidents.

Medication meant for treating depression, high blood pressure, and sleeping problems are known to cause falls.Some drugs meant for the management or treatment of heart conditions and diabetes are also known to cause loss of balance, which can lead to falls.Seniors who take more than 4 different types of medication and those who have recently changed their medication are at risk of experiencing more falling incidents.iii) Hip ArthritisArthritis is an inflammation of the joints.

It can affect any joint in the body, but the joints in the hands, legs, and hips are usually the most affected.Arthritis is characterized by the inability to move joints beyond a certain threshold, swelling as well as severe pain in the affected joint.There are medications meant to treat the inflammation in the joints as well as manage the pain.

It is important to note that arthritis affects more than half of adults who are over 65 years old.This means that it is a serious problem.Most of these seniors have what can be described as chronic hip arthritis.

Regular exercise can help relieve the symptoms of hip arthritis.iv) Car AccidentsCar accidents are a norm on public roads.While nobody ever plans to get into a car crash, it is a real possibility.There are many types of injuries that can be experienced during car accidents, including hip fractures.

This can be treated through surgery.However, proper management of the pain is required.v) Bursitis and TendinitisThere are two medical conditions that affect the hip joints and other joints around the body.The main cause is excessive wear and tear due to overuse.

The tendons connecting muscles to the hip joint get worn out over time due to overuse.However, this is not just a problem affecting the elderly as younger athletes have also reported experiencing hip problems.KimvdLinde, CC BY-SA 3.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0>, via Wikimedia CommonsPrevention of Hip ProblemsKnowing the main causes of hip problems, prevention should not be a problem.Keep reading to learn more.Falls can be easily prevented by removing throw rugs and cords from the ground.

Installation of railing along stair cases and avoiding the stairs can also help in preventing falls.Proper lighting around the house is also recommended.This will help to improve awareness of your surroundings.

Seniors should also wear comfortable shoes with non-skid soles.You should also install grab bars in the toilet, shower, and bathtub.Be sure to also have damaged sidewalks and walkways repaired to ensure you always have an even surface to walk on at all times.

Seniors who drink a lot should avoid alcohol.This is because alcohol is not good for their health as it can exacerbate medical conditions.Alcohol can also cause serious falls that can damage the hip joints.Prevention and Treatment of Hip Problems1.

Hip ReplacementThe most common treatment for hip problems is hip replacement.If you have a broken hip, the best option for you is to have a transplant installed.This can be a costly procedure, but it will enable you to walk again normally.

This will help to ensure you can enjoy your life fully.This is a relatively common procedure with tens of thousands of successful transplants reported every single year.Seniors have to consult experienced medical practitioners to get all the pros and cons of hip replacement surgery before they can make a decision.2.

Regular ExercisePreventions are always better than cures.If you have started experiencing hip problems, you should consider exercise as a form of treatment.Please note, however, that too much exercise can also do harm to your hip joints.

Ideally, you should exercise more frequently, but lightly.Avoid high-impact exercises, such as running, lifting heavy weights, and jumping.When exercising, safety should be your main priority because you do not want to get hurt while trying to alleviate the pain in your hip joint.

Before you start exercising, you need to warm up first to prepare the muscles and joints in your body for the workout routine.After the workout, it is also crucial you warm down to transition your body from the exercise mode to a resting mode.Warming down helps to neutralize lactic acid among other by-products of an intensive workout regimen.

This will prevent muscle cramps from developing in your body.The Best Exercises for Hip ProblemsWalking regularly is a wonderful exercise.Put on comfortable clothes and sports shoes before you go on your mid-morning or evening walks.Consider walking to the nearby grocery store to get supplies instead of driving there.

This will be good for your health.Swimming is also a wonderful exercise.This is a low-impact exercise with many wonderful benefits.Swimming exercises almost all the different muscle groups in the body from the neck, shoulders, and arms to the hips and leg muscles.

The joints in all these areas will also be exercised, which is good for your mobility and the prevention of hip problems.Consider swimming with someone for safety reasons if you already have hip problems.Marching is a simple exercise that you can do in your living room or bedroom.Just stand on your two feet and slowly raise one leg above your hip joint.

Hold the leg in position for one or two seconds before releasing it slowly to the ground.Do the same with the other leg and repeat 10 times.Make sure your back is straight while doing this exercise.Seated marching is similar to standing marching except that you have to be seated.

Sit on a sturdy chair and make sure your knees are bent 90 degrees.Lift up one leg and get it as close as possible to your chest.Hold for one or two seconds and release it slowly back to the starting position.

Do the same with the other leg and repeat the same procedure 10 times.You can also do bridges to exercise the hip joint.Lie down on your back on the floor.Bend your legs until your feet are aligned flat on the floor.

Lift up your hips by squeezing your glute muscles.Hold your hip up for a couple of seconds before slowly lowering it to the ground.Do 10 repetitions.It is recommended you consult your doctor whenever you have a problem with your body.

Be sure to also get advice from your doctor before you start exercising.