The hip joint consists of the femur (thigh bone) and the pelvis, which is made of three additional bones: the ilium, pubis, and ischium. Playing such a vital role in the movement, the hips are subject to a number of conditions that can result in unpleasant symptoms, limited mobility, and a decreased quality of life. Thankfully, Dr. Maria Cabodevilla-Conn at Prospect Spine and Pain (PSP) is here to help. Located in Newark, New Jersey, she is a board-certified, fellowship-trained Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (PM&R) physician and is ready to pinpoint the root of your pain and form a minimally invasive, non- surgical, multimodal pain management treatment plan.

Signs and Symptoms of Hip Conditions

Hip conditions can be caused by injury, overuse, aging, or underlying disease, among other factors, and may present with symptoms such as the following:

• Stiffness, tenderness, and/or swelling
• Limping and mobility challenges
• Pain radiating to the buttocks, outer thigh, or knee
• Locking, sticking, and/or grinding sensations
• Pain or discomfort when bending or leaning over
• Worsening symptoms after longer periods of sitting, in the morning, or during rainy weather
• Flare-ups following vigorous activity

Hip Issues We Treat

At Prospect Spine and Pain (PSP), Dr. Maria Cabodevilla-Conn diagnoses a range of common hip conditions through specialized examination techniques, medical imaging, and more. Once ruling out other potential sources of a patient’s pain and symptoms, she will determine the best path forward with a minimally invasive treatment plan utilizing multimodal, non-surgical methods. Some of the hip problems we treat include:

• Arthritis: The most common cause for the breakdown of hip tissue, arthritis develops when joints become swollen, tender, and inflamed, leading to joint pain and stiffness. The condition usually worsens with age, as the body loses its natural ability to repair wear and tear. Several types of arthritis commonly affect the hip, including:
• Osteoarthritis: This condition results in cartilage damage at the ends of hip bones over time.
• Inflammatory arthritis: This form of arthritis occurs when the joints and potentially their surrounding tissues become inflamed.
• Rheumatoid arthritis: An autoimmune disorder, this occurs when the body’s immune system identifies joints’ protective lining as a threat and attacks it, resulting in fluid build-up.
• Ankylosing spondylitis: This type involves chronic inflammation that generally occurs in flare-ups of symptoms.
• Systemic lupus erythematosus: Also called lupus, this is another autoimmune disease that sees the immune system attack organs and tissues mistakenly, affecting the joints, skin, and more.
• Psoriatic arthritis: Related to the skin condition called psoriasis, which causes itchy, scaly, red patches to develop, psoriatic arthritis can cause joint swelling, stiffness, and pain.
• Bursitis of the hip: The small, fluid-filled sacs cushioning muscles, tendons, and bones throughout the body are called bursae. When they become irritated or inflamed in the hip, this condition is the result. There are two types of major bursae within the hip that can become stiff and painful, including:
• Trochanteric bursa, located on a hip’s side
• Ischial bursa, located in the upper buttocks

Treating the Whole Person – Not Just Their Pain

Taking a holistic approach to pain management, Dr. Maria Cabodevilla-Conn at Prospect Spine and Pain (PSP) is standing by to ensure an accurate diagnosis for symptoms in the hip and get patients started on the best treatment plan for their condition. For more information or to schedule an appointment, contact us today in Newark, NJ.