Everything You Need to Know About Hip Pain
Hip pain can stem from various causes, including arthritis, injuries, or overuse, and may significantly impact mobility and daily activities. Dr. Darius Zagunis M.D. specializes in diagnosing and treating hip pain with personalized care plans tailored to your needs. Early diagnosis and proper management can help alleviate discomfort and restore function, allowing you to return to your active lifestyle. For more information, contact us or schedule an appointment online. We are at 3903 Wiseman Blvd, Ste 117, San Antonio, TX 78251.


Table of Contents:
How Do I Know If My Hip Pain Is Muscle or Joint Related?
Is It Better to Rest or Exercise When You Have Hip Pain?
What Are the Symptoms of a Pinched Nerve in Your Hip?
How Does Hip Pain From Injury Differ in Treatment From Pain Due to Aging?
At San Antonio Pain Consultants, we recognize that hip pain can significantly impact your quality of life. Identifying whether your hip pain originates from muscles or joints is essential for developing a personalized and effective treatment plan.
Muscle-related and joint-related hip pain differ in characteristics, causes, and duration. Muscle pain (myalgia) is often a dull, aching sensation caused by overuse or physical activity. It worsens with activity, pressure, or stretching but improves with rest and gentle stretching. Muscle spasms, tightness, and tenderness are common, with pain typically appearing after activity or injury and resolving with care.
Joint pain (arthritis) is persistent and sharp, often felt in the groin, thigh, or buttocks. It worsens with movement or weight-bearing tasks and may involve stiffness, reduced range of motion, swelling, or warmth. Joint pain can persist even at rest and usually develop gradually over time, worsening with continued use.
Key differences include location (muscle pain is localized; joint pain may radiate) and history (recent injuries or pre-existing conditions). Conditions like bursitis, tendonitis, or sciatica can also mimic hip pain. A professional exam is vital to identify the cause and provide effective treatment.
If your hip pain is significant or persistent, or if it’s accompanied by symptoms such as fever, redness, or swelling, it’s crucial to consult with one of our healthcare professionals. We offer comprehensive evaluations, including physical examinations, medical history reviews, and imaging tests like X-rays or MRIs, to determine the exact cause of your hip pain and tailor the best treatment plan for you.
We understand the significant impact that hip pain can have on your mobility and quality of life. Our goal is to help you find the right balance between rest and exercise for effective management and recovery, tailored to your specific needs.
In the initial phase of hip pain, especially following a recent injury such as a sprain or strain, rest is often crucial. Our team of experts can guide you on how to rest effectively to alleviate pain, reduce inflammation, and prevent further damage. This involves avoiding movements and activities that exacerbate the pain while still maintaining some level of activity to prevent stiffness.
Exercise plays a crucial role in managing hip pain once acute pain subsides, particularly for chronic conditions like arthritis or bursitis. At San Antonio Pain Consultants, our hip pain specialists develop personalized exercise programs aimed at strengthening the muscles around the hip joint, improving flexibility, and reducing stiffness. It’s important to begin exercising only when pain is manageable, range of motion improves, and inflammation has subsided, as determined by a healthcare professional. Recommended exercises include quadriceps and hamstring stretches, pelvic tilts, bridge exercises, hip abductor and adductor strengthening, and low-impact activities such as swimming, cycling, or walking.
Regular exercise offers numerous benefits, including stabilizing the hip joint, reducing pain, enhancing flexibility and range of motion, promoting tissue healing, and improving overall fitness to support recovery. The team at San Antonio Pain Consultants emphasizes balancing rest and activity, tailoring the approach to the severity of your pain. Listening to your body and avoiding activities that cause sharp or severe pain is essential for effective management.
A pinched nerve in the hip often presents with a range of symptoms, from sharp, stabbing pain to a persistent, dull ache. This pain can be localized in the hip or radiate down the thigh, buttocks, or even as far as the knee, depending on the nerve affected. At San Antonio Pain Consultants, we offer comprehensive evaluations to pinpoint the exact cause of your pain, ensuring a precise diagnosis.
In addition to pain management, we address other symptoms such as numbness or tingling sensations, often described as “pins and needles,” which can extend from the hip down the leg. Our experts are skilled in identifying and treating muscle weakness and mobility challenges that can arise from a pinched nerve, helping you regain strength and balance.
Dr. Darius Zagunis M.D. understands that symptoms can vary widely, ranging from mild discomfort to severe pain that interferes with sleep and daily activities. Our personalized treatment plans are designed to alleviate symptoms and improve your quality of life. Whether you’re experiencing burning sensations, increased sensitivity, or muscle spasms, our goal is to provide relief and restore your mobility.
Early intervention is key to preventing chronic pain and mobility limitations. We prioritize prompt and accurate diagnosis followed by effective treatment plans tailored to your specific needs. Our team of healthcare professionals is here to guide you through every step of your recovery, offering advanced therapies and compassionate care to get you back to living pain-free.
At San Antonio Pain Consultants, we recognize the importance of distinguishing between hip pain caused by injury and that resulting from the aging process. Each type has unique characteristics and necessitates a distinct treatment strategy to ensure optimal patient outcomes.
Hip pain due to injury and aging requires tailored approaches for effective management. Injury-related hip pain typically results in acute, localized pain, swelling, bruising, and difficulty bearing weight after trauma. Treatment includes rest, immobilization with supportive devices, ice and compression therapy to reduce swelling, and customized physical therapy to restore mobility and strengthen muscles. NSAIDs may be prescribed for inflammation, and surgical consultation is considered for severe injuries requiring structural repair.
Aging-related hip pain develops gradually, often with stiffness, limited mobility, and strain on both hips. Treatment includes weight management programs to reduce joint strain and low-impact exercises, such as swimming or walking, to maintain mobility and alleviate stiffness. Advanced medications, including topical treatments or injections like hyaluronic acid or corticosteroids, may be used to manage pain and inflammation. For severe cases, joint replacement surgery may be recommended to restore mobility and improve quality of life.
Key Differences and Our Approach
● Onset and Cause: Injury-related hip pain typically arises suddenly after trauma or overuse, while age-related pain develops gradually due to joint wear and tear.
● Symptoms and Treatment Goals: Injury-related pain is localized and often accompanied by swelling, focusing on rehabilitation and pain management. Age-related pain is more diffuse, with a focus on preserving function and relieving symptoms.
At San Antonio Pain Consultants, understanding these differences allows us to provide comprehensive, individualized treatment plans. Our goal is to address the specific underlying causes of hip pain and improve the quality of life for our patients.
Don’t let hip pain disrupt your daily life or limit your activities. You can manage your symptoms effectively and enjoy improved mobility with the right diagnosis and treatment. Seeking help early ensures you get back to doing what you love without unnecessary delays. Dr. Darius Zagunis M.D. and the San Antonio Pain Consultants P.A. team are committed to helping you overcome hip pain with advanced, personalized care. For more information, contact us or schedule an appointment online. We are at 3903 Wiseman Blvd, Ste 117, San Antonio, TX 78251. We serve patients from San Antonio TX, Helotes TX, Alamo Ranch TX, Leon Valley TX, Shavano Park TX, Balcones Heights TX, Fair Oaks TX, Fair Oaks Ranch TX, Castroville TX, and surrounding areas.


Conditions We Treat
▸ Back & Spine Pain
▸ Herniated Disc Treatment
▸ Sciatica
▸ Neck Pain
▸ Knee Pain
▸ Arthritis Pain
▸ Arm & Shoulder Pain
▸ Abdominal & Pelvic Pain
▸ Headaches & Migraines
▸ Hip Pain
▸ Neuropathy
▸ Cancer Pain