Action Plan

• 1). Start exercising, but do not overexercise joints. Focus on moderate exercise such as walking, swimming, circuit weight training and using the elliptical. If you overexercise a joint, it can get inflamed. You know your joints are inflamed if they are swollen and it is painful. Since you cannot see your hip, you have to determine inflammation through pain levels. If an activity hurts in the joint, don't do it.
  
  
• 2). Protect your joints and respect pain. According to Arthritis.org.nz, "If you experience pain for one hour after doing an activity you know that you have done too much." Make sure you maintain your joints in the most stable positions possible in every day activities. For example, when you stand, distribute your weight evenly over all joints and avoid standing in the same position for prolonged periods of time. Wear flat shoes. The same principles apply for walking. Take even steps. Use a cane, if you must. When you lie down, stretch out all your joints, change position often, use a flat pillow (but never one under your knees). Avoid low, soft chairs. Sit in high-backed, firm chairs that enable your to maintain an erect posture at all times. Use proper lifting techniques.
  
  
• 3). Focus on healthy eating and taking joint-friendly supplements. Avoid processed foods, sugar and saturated fats. Eat fresh produce and organic fish. Supplements such as glucosamine sulfate, chondroitin sulfate, omega-3 fatty acids and vitamin C are effective.
  
  
• 4). Maintain a healthy body weight. Being overweight puts enormous pressure on your joints and will increase the risk for inflammation there.
  
  
• 5). Find out about medical alternatives if your osteoarthritis calls for a hip replacement. Prolotherapy, also known as sclerosant therapy, is an example. According to Andrew Weil, M.D. on his website drweil.com, "Proponents claim that the injections trigger growth of new, healthy tissue to stabilize bones and joints, thus relieving musculoskeletal pain and stiffness."
  
  
• 6). Do not disregard hip pain even if you are only 25 years old. You may have avascular necrosis. If the X-ray does not show anything and you still have hip pain, insist on having an MRI.