Evaluate Your Hip Pain

Answer Eight, Then Evaluate

In order to consider the options for treating your hip pain, you must first evaluate your situation. Answer these eight simple questions to find out if talking to your doctor about hip replacement surgery is right for you.

1. Is it painful to perform everyday activities?___Yes___No
2. Is hip pain or discomfort limiting your participation in activities you enjoy? ___Yes ___No
3. Does the pain interfere with your ability to walk? ___Yes___No
4. Does the pain interfere with your sleep? ___Yes___No
5. Has hip pain caused you to miss any social activities that you might otherwise have attended (e.g., taking a trip, attending a wedding, attending religious services, or visiting family members)? ___Yes___No
6. Does your hip hurt one or more days per week? ___Yes___No
7. Would you classify your pain as more than mild? ___Yes___No
8. Are pain medications no longer working? ___Yes___No

If you answered yes to 4 or more of the questions above, you should talk with a doctor about treatment options. You may be a candidate for hip replacement. Find an orthopaedic surgeon near you to discuss your treatment options.

If you answered no to 5 or more of these questions, you may be able to manage your hip pain with a combination of methods tailored to your needs, lifestyle, and health—such as exercise, periods of rest, over-the-counter medications, and changes to your diet. Your doctor can recommend the most appropriate treatment for your current condition.

Next: Treatment Options