Non-Operative Treatment Options

One of the first questions Dr. Tauchen asks patients is: “What sorts of activities do you now avoid because of your pain?”

The answer matters. Some patients want to walk comfortably around the neighborhood. Others want to golf, cycle, travel, play pickleball, chase grandchildren, or simply sleep through the night without hip pain. Treatment decisions should be based on helping patients achieve their goals rather than simply treating an X-ray. There is no single treatment that works for everyone. The best approach often involves combining several strategies.

Many patients assume activity modification means giving up the things they enjoy.

Fortunately, that is rarely the case.

Instead, activity modification often means making thoughtful adjustments that reduce stress on the hip while maintaining an active lifestyle.

For example:

• Walking may be better tolerated than running
• Cycling may be easier on the hip than high-impact exercise
• Using a golf cart may allow patients to continue golfing comfortably
• Breaking longer activities into shorter sessions may reduce flare-ups

Dr. Tauchen is a lifelong athlete himself and understands how important movement is to overall health and happiness. The goal is usually not to stop being active. The goal is to find ways to stay active without constantly aggravating the joint.

It may sound counterintuitive, but one of the best things many patients can do for arthritis is keep moving. When patients become less active because of pain, muscles weaken and joint stiffness often worsens.

A structured exercise program can help:

• Improve flexibility
• Maintain range of motion
• Strengthen supporting muscles
• Improve balance
• Reduce joint stress

Physical therapy may also help patients develop strategies for moving more efficiently and safely. Dr. Tauchen often reminds patients that strong muscles can act like a natural shock absorber for the hip. Exercise will not cure arthritis, but it can significantly improve how the hip functions.

Few treatments provide as much overall health benefit as maintaining a healthy weight. Every step places force across the hip joint. Even modest weight loss can reduce stress on the hip and improve symptoms for some patients. This does not mean patients need to achieve a perfect number on the scale. In fact, many patients notice meaningful improvement with relatively small changes. Weight management is not a cure for arthritis, but it can be a valuable part of a comprehensive treatment plan.

Anti-inflammatory medications are often one of the simplest ways to reduce pain associated with hip arthritis.

Common options include:

• Ibuprofen
• Naproxen
• Meloxicam
• Celecoxib

These medications help reduce inflammation within the joint and may improve comfort during daily activities. Like all medications, they are not appropriate for everyone. Patients with certain kidney, stomach, cardiovascular, or bleeding conditions should discuss risks and benefits with their physician. For the right patient, however, anti-inflammatory medications can be very effective.

Tylenol remains a reasonable option for some patients, particularly those who cannot take anti-inflammatory medications. While it does not reduce inflammation, it may help reduce pain and improve function. Many patients are surprised by how much relief they can achieve from a simple medication strategy.

Hip injections are commonly used to help reduce inflammation and provide temporary symptom relief. The most common injection is a corticosteroid injection.

These injections can be helpful for:

• Confirming the source of pain
• Reducing inflammation
• Improving function
• Providing temporary relief

The duration of relief varies considerably.

Some patients experience improvement for several weeks. Others may notice benefits for several months. One important point Dr. Tauchen discusses with patients is that injections treat symptoms—not the underlying arthritis itself. The arthritis does not disappear simply because the pain improves. Nevertheless, injections can be temporary option for selected patients, but it is rarely recommended to have more than one.

Many patients resist the idea of using a cane or walking aid “because it makes me look old!” The reality is that these tools can be remarkably effective. A properly used cane can significantly reduce forces across the hip joint and improve walking comfort. Think of it less as a sign of weakness and more as a piece of equipment. Nobody feels embarrassed using a golf club, a bicycle, or a ski pole. Sometimes a simple tool makes an activity easier. The same principle applies here.

Patients frequently ask about supplements such as:

• Glucosamine
• Chondroitin
• Turmeric
• Fish oil
• Collagen products

The scientific evidence supporting these options is mixed. Some patients report meaningful improvement, while others notice little difference. Although these supplements will not reverse arthritis, they may be worth discussing as part of an overall treatment plan. The same applies to other treatments such as massage therapy, acupuncture, and various alternative therapies. Some patients find them helpful, while others do not.

Perhaps the most important thing to understand is that there is no perfect time for hip replacement. Dr. Tauchen does not believe patients should suffer unnecessarily simply because they have not reached some arbitrary threshold. One of the questions he often asks is:

“Do you have lifestyle-limiting pain on a daily basis despite trying multiple non-surgical treatment options?”

If the answer is no, continuing non-surgical treatment may make perfect sense. If the answer is yes, it may be time to discuss surgical options. The goal is not to operate on an X-ray, but rather to help patients maintain the lifestyle they want. Whether that means delaying surgery for years or ultimately moving forward with a hip replacement, Dr. Tauchen believes treatment decisions should always be individualized and centered around the patient’s goals, activity level, and quality of life. At the end of the day, arthritis treatment is not about joints. It is about helping people stay active, independent, and engaged in the things they enjoy most.