Could Hip Pain After Surgery Be Relieved Through Gentle Treatments?

September 25, 2024
Hip Pain

A patient came into the clinic complaining of hip pain that had persisted after surgery. Despite following the usual post-surgery recovery plan, they found that the pain was lingering longer than expected, limiting their mobility. Let’s explore how targeted treatments can help relieve hip pain after surgery and aid in recovery.

1. Symptom: Post-Surgery Hip Pain

The patient experienced ongoing pain in the hip joint, especially when walking or getting up from a seated position. The pain felt sharp at times and made it difficult to move comfortably. Despite time passing since the surgery, the pain hadn’t improved as expected.

2. Cause: Slow Recovery and Nerve Irritation

The hip pain was primarily due to nerve irritation and muscle tension resulting from the surgery. When the body undergoes surgery, especially around the joints, there can be inflammation and scar tissue that develops as part of the healing process. However, if the recovery is slower than expected, this inflammation can persist, leading to nerve compression and chronic discomfort.

In this case, the healing process had been delayed, and the nerve irritation around the hip joint was causing prolonged pain and limited mobility.

3. Treatment Principles: Supporting Recovery and Relieving Nerve Pressure

To address the patient’s hip pain, the treatment focused on supporting the body’s recovery process and relieving the pressure on the irritated nerves.

  • Relieving Nerve Compression: Acupuncture was used to release tension and reduce inflammation around the hip joint, helping to alleviate pressure on the compressed nerves.
  • Supporting Healing: By promoting blood circulation in the hip area, acupuncture helped speed up the healing process and reduce the discomfort associated with scar tissue and inflammation.

4. Treatment Methods: Acupuncture and Recovery Exercises

The patient’s treatment involved a combination of acupuncture and gentle exercises to support recovery and relieve pain:

  • Acupuncture: Fine needles were placed around the hip joint and surrounding muscles to relieve nerve compression and reduce inflammation. The acupuncture treatment helped to relax the muscles and promote better circulation, speeding up the recovery process.
  • Recovery Exercises: Gentle, low-impact exercises were introduced to help the patient regain mobility without placing too much strain on the healing joint. These exercises helped stretch and strengthen the surrounding muscles, further supporting the recovery.
  • Stretching and Mobility: Gentle stretching exercises were recommended to maintain flexibility and prevent further tightness in the muscles around the hip joint. This helped relieve the tension that was contributing to the pain.

Conclusion: Gentle Treatments Can Help Post-Surgery Recovery

This case demonstrates that even when recovery from surgery is slower than expected, there are effective treatments that can help speed up the healing process and relieve pain. By targeting the nerves and muscles affected by the surgery, we were able to help the patient regain comfort and mobility.

If you’re experiencing lingering pain after surgery, exploring gentle treatments like acupuncture and recovery exercises can make a significant difference in your recovery.

Dr. Olivia Choi, L.AC, DACM, VIVE Energy Medicine

Dr. Olivia Choi, L. AC, DACM

VIVE Energy Medicine
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