Hip Cartilage Injuries Non-Surgical Treatment
Can a cartilage defect be treated without surgery?
Some people live active lives, never knowing they have a cartilage defect and don’t have any hip pain. When hip symptoms develop, patients can choose to treat either the symptoms or treat the structure and symptoms. Conservative treatment treats only the symptoms of a cartilage defect of the hip.
Non-operative treatment of a cartilage defect involves a change in activities to avoid movements that cause hip pain, including taking time off from activities that cause hip pain, using over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medications to reduce pain and inflammation, and physical therapy. Typically, symptoms will resolve within several weeks of conservative, non-surgical treatment. An injection of a steroid, hyaluronic acid (gel injection), or PRP can also help relieve hip pain. If your hip pain is resolved with non-operative treatment and you are able to return to your desired level of activity, then no surgery is needed.
At a Glance
Dr. Jorge Chahla
- Triple fellowship-trained sports medicine surgeon
- Performs over 700 surgeries per year
- Assistant professor of orthopedic surgery at Rush University
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