How A Simple Orthotic Device Can Alleviate Hip Pain

If you suffer from hip pain, you may be wondering if you need to jump to surgical solutions. However, there are less invasive options you can explore first. An orthopedist can set you up with an orthotic device, which may lessen your symptoms or completely resolve the issue.

What are Orthotics?

An orthotic is a support device that can be used to modify structural and functional characteristics of your skeletal system. Orthotics can correct dysfunctions in bones, muscles, joints, tendons, and ligaments.

How Do Orthotics Help Hip Pain?

Your doctor may recommend orthotics that you wear in your shoes. It may seem strange to address the feet if you have hip pain, but there's a reason for shoe inserts. Some people have one leg that's longer than the other, which causes uneven usage in hip joints. Your hip pain may be caused by this uneven wear and tear; so, by wearing shoe orthotics, you will be able to even out your gait and your posture.

If your pain is severe, your doctor may set you up with a customized hip orthotic. These types of orthotics splint the lower back and wrap around the upper thigh. Customized orthotics support back and glute muscles and provide additional support for hip flexion, rotation, adduction, and extension. When people are in too much pain to move their hips, they may need to sit or lie down continually. Ironically, too much rest can cause imbalances: the hip flexors remain in a shortened position and the hip rotators are elongated. These imbalances then cause further pain in the hip, buttocks, thighs, and groin areas. When you wear a customized orthotic, you'll be able to retain your mobility and stave off these imbalances.

Lastly, your doctor could set you up for an orthotic that you wear at night. Side sleepers tend to develop pain because hips fall out of alignment during rest and can develop pressure points from compression. An orthotic that you wear at night can help to support your hip and keep your spine in proper alignment.

What Kinds of Hip Conditions May Be Helped with Orthotics?

Besides helping uneven skeletal structures, orthotics can be used to relieve pain for:

• Sports injuries, like tendon or muscle strains
• Inflammatory conditions, like tendonitis or bursitis
• Sciatica (a condition that causes compression in the sciatic nerve)
• Labral tears and other damage to the fibrocartilage around the ball-and-socket joint
• Arthritis

These are just a few of the issues that can be helped with orthotics. Don't let your hip pain get any worse. Contact a company like Bio  Tech Prosthetics and Orthotics today and get set up with an orthotic device.