If you're struggling to fall asleep—or stay asleep—because of nagging hip pain, this could be a sign your arthritis needs more attention. For many people living with hip arthritis, the nighttime hours can be the most difficult. As May is Arthritis Awareness Month, let’s explore the surprising link between hip arthritis and sleep disruption—and what you can do about it.
Why Hip Arthritis Worsens at Night
Hip arthritis, especially osteoarthritis, often flares up during the night due to decreased movement and changes in inflammation levels while you're resting. During the day, activity keeps the joint lubricated, but at night, stiffness sets in, making it hard to find a comfortable sleeping position.
The Sleep-Pain Cycle
Poor sleep doesn’t just result from pain—it can also make your pain feel worse. When your body doesn’t get the restorative rest it needs, it becomes more sensitive to pain signals. This cycle can lead to increased fatigue, irritability, and a reduced ability to manage arthritis symptoms during the day. Breaking this cycle starts with addressing the root cause of your pain.
How to Improve Sleep with Hip Arthritis
Finding the right sleeping position is crucial. Try sleeping on your back with a pillow under your knees or on your non-painful side with a pillow between your knees to keep your hips aligned. Heat therapy before bed, gentle stretching, and anti-inflammatory medications can also help ease nighttime pain. In advanced cases, however, these measures may not be enough.
When It’s Time to Consider Treatment
If hip arthritis is consistently interfering with your sleep and quality of life, it may be time to seek care from a specialist. Treatment options include physical therapy, corticosteroid injections, and platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy, which uses your body’s natural healing properties to reduce inflammation and pain. These non-surgical approaches can offer significant relief and help delay the need for more invasive procedures. When conservative treatments no longer provide relief, hip replacement surgery may be considered as a last resort, offering long-lasting improvement and the potential to restore restful sleep.
As an orthopedic surgeon specializing in hip and knee replacement, Dr. Boe has helped many patients find relief from arthritis pain that once kept them up at night. Book an appointment for an effective, personalized treatment option.
AUTHOR: Richard Boe, MD is a board-certified fellowship-trained orthopedic surgeon specializing in minimally invasive direct anterior hip replacement and robotic assisted knee replacement surgery at Resurgens Orthopaedics serving the greater Atlanta area. Dr. Boe is an active member of the American Association of Hip and Knee Surgeons, the American Association of Orthopaedic Surgeons, and the Georgia Orthopaedic Society.