Sleeping on My Side Is Causing Recurrent Hip Pain

Aching hips and sore legs aren’t the best way to start the day. If you experience hip pain at night, there might be an underlying issue. Conditions like arthritis and bursitis can cause inflammation, and the pressure from sleeping on your side can aggravate it. While you might still need a new mattress, you can know exactly what’s behind your hip pain. 

At The Spine and Sports Center in Sugarland and Houston, Texas, Dr. Benoy Benny and our team help identify the source of your hip pain and figure out why sleeping on your side makes it so much worse.

Diagnosing hip pain 

Hip pain isn’t always caused by a problem with your hip, which makes it difficult to diagnose. A specialist can discern what type of pain you’re experiencing, where you’re feeling it, and what’s causing it.

Dr. Benny diagnoses hip pain by reviewing your symptoms and medical history, following up on any previous injuries. Further tests like physical examinations, X-rays, and MRIs can provide a clearer picture of your situation. 

A number of conditions can lead to hip pain, including: 

• Bursitis, which causes the fluid-filled sacs that cushion your hip to become inflamed 
• Soft tissue injuries, or damage to your ligaments, muscles, and tendons 
• Hip fractures, often caused by osteoporosis 
• Osteoarthritis, or wear-and-tear arthritis 
• Pinched nerve, often caused by a herniated disc
• Osteonecrosis, or a lack of blood supply to your hip bone 

Improving how you sleep 

Sometimes, relieving hip pain requires changing your sleeping environment.

A bed that’s too soft or too hard can increase pressure on your hip, making it painful to sleep on your side. Assess your mattress: How old is it? Is it overly firm, or does it lack support? Could it be improved with a mattress topper, or do you need a replacement? 

If you also experience knee pain, try sleeping with a pillow between your legs to keep them spaced apart. If this helps, you can invest in knee and body pillows to improve your sleeping position.

Treatment options for chronic pain

Once the cause of your hip pain has been diagnosed, you and Dr. Benny can begin building a treatment plan that works for you. The Spine and Sports Center offers a number of solutions for hip pain, such as: 

• Physical therapy 
• Lifestyle changes 
• Hot/cold therapy
• Stretching and strengthening
• Corticosteroid injections
• Massage therapy
• Pain relief medications 

If your hip pain becomes persistent and begins to interfere with your daily life, Dr. Benny might recommend surgery. However, many people experience relief from hip pain through a multipronged approach that makes the most of conservative treatments. 

To learn more, schedule a consultation at The Spine and Sports Center today by calling the location closest to you or booking an appointment online.