Should You Wear A Hip Brace For Arthritis?

Executive Summary

• Hip arthritis results from the deterioration of the hip joint’s cartilage.
• Hip arthritis usually occurs in older individuals due to long-term overuse. However, joint injuries and genetic predispositions can also lead to hip arthritis.
• Orthopedic devices like hip braces can alleviate arthritis symptoms by providing additional joint support.
• Hip braces can reduce pain, improve stability, and increase mobility for people with arthritic hips.

Using A Hip Brace for Arthritis

Hip arthritis occurs when the cartilage in the hip joint breaks down. Age-related wear and tear is the leading cause of hip arthritis, but joint injuries and genetic factors can also contribute to its development.

Considering there is a direct link between arthritis and joint pain, many people with hip arthritis experience throbbing or burning sensations and stiffness in their hips, which limits mobility. An orthopedic hip brace can alleviate hip arthritis symptoms by reducing pain, providing stability, and increasing the user’s range of motion.

Still, hip braces present some drawbacks, so they may not be the best choice for everyone. However, they can offer numerous benefits to certain people. 

Consider the advantages and disadvantages of wearing a hip brace to determine whether one can help you manage your arthritis. Read on to educate yourself on the different factors surrounding a hip brace’s effectiveness, and talk to a qualified medical professional to see if and how this orthopedic device can fit into your treatment plan.

Benefits Of Wearing A Hip Brace For Arthritis

If you have hip arthritis, wearing a hip brace can help combat the symptoms you feel. A hip brace reinforces the hip joint, facilitating its function. Many people report the following benefits when wearing a hip brace:

• Less pain – Hip braces apply compression and support to the hip joint, reducing pressure on the arthritic hip and reducing pain.

• Reduced risk of dislocation – Arthritic hips can be prone to dislocation because of their weakened muscles and ligaments. By stabilizing the joint, a hip brace can reduce abrupt movements that could lead to dislocation.

• Enhanced mobility – Since a hip brace reinforces the joint and can reduce pain, it can increase the user’s range of motion, facilitating day-to-day tasks like walking up stairs.

• Increased joint stability – Hip braces can fortify the hip joint and compensate for that region’s weakened muscles and stiffness, making the user feel sturdier and more balanced.

• Better posture – Some hip braces can help your body stay adequately aligned by supporting the pelvis and spine. Maintaining good posture can limit the strain on the hip joint.

With many potential advantages, a hip brace can make hip arthritis more manageable for most people. Nevertheless, some individuals with hip arthritis might think a hip brace is too uncomfortable or inconvenient to use as a long-term solution to their problem. Be sure to weigh a hip brace’s potential benefits and drawbacks before deciding if you want to implement that orthopedic device into your daily life.

Drawbacks Of Wearing A Hip Brace For Arthritis

Although hip braces can help some people avoid arthritic pain, they do pose potential downsides that could dissuade someone from using them. The most noteworthy drawbacks of using a hip brace to relieve arthritic pain are:

• Potential discomfort – If a hip brace is not the right size or its material is too rough, it can cause skin irritation. Occasionally, prolonged use of a hip brace can cause chafing and discomfort.
• Time – Hip braces require users to put them on and take them off frequently. Since individuals with hip arthritis have limited mobility, donning and removing a hip brace can take a lot of time.
• Potential for dependency – Some people can become over reliant on their hip brace’s additive support, causing muscle atrophy over time. Carrying out specific tasks without your hip brace can be harder with weakened muscles.
• Potential development of pressure areas – Wearing a hip brace for an extended period can create pressure areas on the skin’s contact points. These areas can become red and irritated or develop sores.
• It’s not a long-term solution – Although hip braces can provide short-term symptomatic relief, they cannot fix the degenerated hip joint. Sometimes, hip surgery is a better, longer-lasting solution.

Everyone has different sensitivities and goals, so some people may be okay with the potential downsides of wearing a hip brace. On the other hand, some people might not like the idea of regularly wearing a hip brace, and they may opt for different solutions like surgery.

Factors To Consider Before Wearing A Hip Brace

After learning about the potential benefits and drawbacks of wearing a hip brace for arthritis, it is a good idea to consider certain factors that can determine if a hip brace is right for you. Some factors that play a role in the effectiveness of a hip brace are:

• Severity of arthritis pain – If your arthritic hip only causes minor pain, a hip brace may help minimize your pain further. However, severe cases of hip arthritis may require a total hip replacement or total hip revision surgery.

• Type of arthritis – Hip braces are usually used for osteoarthritis, the most common form of arthritis. However, cases of rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, and avascular necrosis-fueled arthritis may need additional attention.

• Lifestyle – While a hip brace can help with some activities, it can also hinder others. For example, certain hip braces can be too hot and heavy for outdoor ventures. Consider whether a hip brace would positively or negatively alter your routine.
• Existing posture issues – Posture significantly affects the amount of strain put on an arthritic hip. If you already have existing posture issues, a hip brace could help remedy them, resulting in less strain on your hip joint.

As you consider whether you would be a suitable candidate for using a hip brace, contact a qualified medical professional for their recommendation. A medical provider can help you make the most informed and safe decisions about orthopedic devices like hip braces.

Hip Brace Alternatives

Although hip braces have the potential to provide some short-term relief from the symptoms of hip arthritis, they do not remedy the root issue, which is the degenerated arthritic joint. With this in mind, you should also consider the following alternatives with the guidance of your medical provider.

Physical Therapy

Targeted physical therapy can increase the overall function of the hip joint and provide lasting effects. A qualified physical therapist can provide a personalized training regimen that helps you strengthen the muscles surrounding your hip joint to give it more stability, mimicking the effect of a hip brace. Through strategic stretches and exercises, physical therapy can also help you improve joint mobility and achieve a more extensive range of motion. 

Exercise

Performing low-impact exercises that gently activate your hip joint is an excellent way to strengthen muscles in the hip region, giving your joint additional support. The following low-impact exercises are popular ways to strengthen the muscles around your hip:

• Swimming
• Cycling
• Yoga
• Tai Chi

While developing an exercise routine, it is crucial to avoid high-impact activities that can deliver shock or strain to your hip joint. Get help from a qualified medical professional to confidently choose which exercises to perform.

Medications or Injections

Sometimes, certain medications can temporarily relieve pain from hip arthritis. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like ibuprofen or aspirin target both pain and inflammation, making them good choices for short-term arthritic relief. As another option, analgesics like acetaminophen solely reduce pain. 

Additionally, therapeutic injections can help manage hip arthritis. Some people get corticosteroid or hyaluronic acid injections into their hips, allowing them to receive substantial, yet temporary, relief from their symptoms.

Surgery

Surgical interventions, such as total hip replacement surgery, can be an effective solution to hip arthritis, especially when pain and degeneration are severe. After recovering from hip replacement surgery, many people feel exponentially less pain and experience greater mobility.

Plus, with top-of-the-line technology like Mako SmartRobotics, some hip replacement surgeries are less invasive than they used to be, speeding up recovery and allowing patients to return to the things they love.

Thankfully, there are numerous solutions that you could try if you are experiencing hip joint pain. With guidance from the right medical provider, you can mitigate joint pain without a hip brace.

Find Long-Lasting Relief From Hip Pain

If your medical provider approves, wearing a hip brace can be a great way to relieve yourself from some of your hip arthritis-induced pain. The brace can help reinforce your hip joint and take pressure off your arthritic hip, giving you more stability. Still, other longer-lasting options exist, including physical therapy and targeted exercise. 

Even though braces, exercise, and medication can help make hip arthritis more manageable, in many cases, joint replacement surgery is more effective than non-surgical alternatives. So, consult a qualified medical professional to help you find the best path forward.

The highly qualified joint specialists at The Joint Replacement Center of Scottsdale specialize in hip replacement and hip revision surgery. Additionally, we offer alternative therapies like ARPwave and PEMF to reduce pain and inflammation. With a track record of thousands of successful surgeries behind us, our team can diagnose your hip-related condition and help you manage it by creating a personalized treatment plan.

Contact our joint specialists to start your journey to a happier, less painful life.