Silver Cross offers Less Invasive Ways to Treat Hip Pain

To understand the causes and treatments of hip pain, Silver Cross Hospital is offering a free program in November.

Join Dr. Tom Antkowiak and Dr. Rajeev Puri, orthopedic surgeons, to learn the latest treatment plans for hip pain and degenerative hip conditions including hip arthroscopy and minimally invasive anterior total hip replacement on Tuesday, Nov. 18. This free program will be held from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. in the Silver Cross Hospital Conference Center, 1890 Silver Cross Blvd., New Lenox. Register to attend at www.silvercross.org or call 1-888-660-HEAL (4325).

The hip joint is designed to withstand repetitive motion and a reasonable amount of wear and tear. This ball-and-socket joint fits together in a way that allows for seamless movement. Whenever you use the hip, a cushion of cartilage prevents friction as the hip moves in its socket.

“Over time and with age, the cartilage in the hip can wear out,” said Tom Antkowiak, M.D., orthopedic surgeon. “As the cartilage continues to wear we are often left with bone on bone arthritis which slows patients down and leads to increased pain. If caught early, we are often able to use minimally invasive techniques to slow the progression of arthritis and get patients back to the activities they love.”

Symptoms of Hip Pain

Depending on the source that’s causing hip pain, you might feel discomfort in the following areas: buttocks, thigh, outside of the hip joint, deep groin or the back.

Get medical attention right away if:

• The hip pain came on suddenly.
• A fall or other injury triggered the hip pain.
• Your hip looks deformed or is bleeding.
• You experienced a painful popping in the hip.
• The pain is intense.
• You can’t put any weight on your hip.

Hip Pain Relief

If your hip pain is caused by a muscle or tendon strain, or osteoarthritis, you can usually relieve it with an over-the-counter pain medication or a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug.

Another way to relieve hip pain is by holding ice to the area for about 15 minutes a few times a day.

If you have arthritis, exercising the hip joint with low-impact exercises, stretching, and resistance training can reduce pain and improve joint mobility. For example, swimming is a good non-impact exercise for arthritis.

When osteoarthritis becomes so severe that the pain is intense or the hip joint looses motion, a total hip replacement (arthroplasty) may be a consideration.

“An accurate diagnosis is vital in deciding the appropriate treatment for hip pain. For this reason, it is imperative to see an orthopedic specialist who is specially trained to evaluate such conditions,” said Rajeev Puri, M.D., orthopedic surgeon.

About Dr. Tom Antkowiak

Tom Antkowiak, M.D., is board eligible in orthopedic surgery. Dr. Antkowiak attended medical school at Albany Medical Center in Albany, NY. He completed an orthopedic surgery residency at the University of California at Davis Medical Center in Sacramento, CA; and a sports orthopedic surgery fellowship at Southern California Orthopedic Institute in Van Nuys, CA. Dr. Antkowiak’s office is located with Oak Orthopedics at 19552 S. Harlem Ave in Frankfort. To schedule an appointment, call (815) 469-3452.

About Dr. Rajeev Puri

Rajeev Puri, M.D., is board certified in orthopedic surgery. Dr. Puri attended medical school at Ohio State University. He completed an orthopedic surgery residency at Ohio State University in Columbus, OH; and a foot and ankle reconstruction fellowship at the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia, PA. Dr. Puri’s office is located with Oak Orthopedics at 19552 S. Harlem Ave, Frankfort. To schedule an appointment, call (815) 469-3452.

About Silver Cross Hospital

Silver Cross Hospital is a not-for-profit health care provider serving Will County and southwest suburban communities since 1895. Silver Cross has been recognized as a Thomson Reuters 100 Top Hospitals National Award winner for seven consecutive years and as a Hospital of Choice by the American Alliance of Healthcare Providers. With nearly 4,000 employees, physicians and volunteers, Silver Cross operates a 289-bed acute care hospital and 5 satellite facilities providing outpatient services and physician offices. Silver Cross opened a state-of-the-art replacement hospital in 2012 at I-355 and Route 6 in New Lenox. In 2013, Silver Cross provided over $48 million in charity care and other community benefits. To learn more about Silver Cross Hospital or a referral to a physician on staff, visit www.silvercross.org or call 1-888-660-HEAL (4325). Physicians on Silver Cross Hospital’s Medical Staff have expertise in their areas of practice to meet the needs of patients seeking their care. These physicians are independent practitioners on the Medical Staff and are not the agents or employees of Silver Cross Hospital. They treat patients based upon their independent medical judgment and they bill patients separately for their services.