Hip pain can disrupt daily activities, such as walking, climbing stairs, or resting comfortably. The pain may originate from the hip joint itself or from surrounding structures. Finding relief using methods that fit your specific situation is a process many people undertake. Here are several innovative treatments for managing hip pain that you may not know about:
Platelet-rich Plasma Therapy
Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy utilizes a concentrated dose of a patient’s own platelets to help manage pain. The process typically begins with drawing a small sample of your blood. Practitioners can then place the blood in a centrifuge, a machine that spins at high speed to separate the different components.
The centrifuge concentrates the platelets into a plasma solution. Then, practitioners inject this PRP directly into the affected area of the hip. The goal of this procedure is to harness the body’s natural properties to address the source of discomfort.
Patients typically receive PRP treatments in an outpatient setting, and the procedure itself is generally brief. Your provider will discuss the specific protocol, which varies based on individual needs regarding the number and frequency of injections. Some patients may experience mild swelling at the injection site, but these side effects are typically temporary and resolve quickly.
Radiofrequency Ablation
Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) is a procedure that uses heat to interrupt pain signals. It targets the specific nerves that are sending pain messages from the hip to the brain. During RFA, a physician uses imaging guidance, such as fluoroscopy, to place a small needle next to the targeted nerve.
Once the needle is correctly positioned, an electrode is inserted through it. A small radiofrequency current is then passed through the electrode, which generates heat. The procedure provides a non-surgical approach to addressing nerve-related hip pain. The heat creates a lesion on the nerve, which stops it from transmitting pain signals.
Ketamine-assisted Therapy
Patients can use ketamine to manage chronic pain, including hip pain. When used for pain treatment, healthcare providers administer it at very low, sub-anesthetic doses. They typically deliver the treatment through an intravenous (IV) infusion over a specified period in a controlled clinical environment. This treatment may help reset pain pathways and relieve some individuals suffering from persistent pain conditions.
Stem Cell Injections
Stem cell injections are a form of regenerative medicine that uses the body’s own stem cells to address pain and tissue damage. Stem cells are unique because they have the ability to develop into many different types of cells. For hip pain treatment, practitioners harvest these cells from your own body, typically from bone marrow or fat tissue.
After harvesting, the stem cells are processed and concentrated before being injected into the hip joint under imaging guidance. The objective is for these cells to support the body’s natural repair processes within the joint. They can use this treatment for conditions such as osteoarthritis. Key aspects of stem cell procedures include:
- Cells come from your own body.
- The procedure is minimally invasive and typically performed on an outpatient basis.
Get Treated for Hip Pain
Exploring treatment options for hip pain is a positive step toward improving your quality of life. The innovative therapies represent some of the advancements in modern pain management. If you are experiencing hip pain and would like to learn more about your treatment options, schedule a consultation with a pain management clinic to discuss a personalized treatment plan.
