Osteoarthritis of the Hip

Osteoarthritis is a degenerative type of arthritis that occurs most often in people 50 and older. More than 32.5 million adults in the United States are estimated to have osteoarthritis. While osteoarthritis can occur in any joint of the body, it is usually more common or more severe in weight-bearing joints, such as the hip.

In osteoarthritis, the cartilage lining the surface of the bones in the joint gradually wears away over time. This cartilage, known as articular cartilage, has a very important function — it allows your bones to glide smoothly past each other as you move. But repetitive contact and rubbing between the articular cartilage surfaces eventually causes the cartilage to deteriorate. As this happens, it becomes frayed and rough, and the space between the bones in the joint decreases. This can eventually lead to bone rubbing on bone. To make up for the lost cartilage, the damaged bones may start to grow outward, forming bone spurs (also called osteophytes).

Osteoarthritis of the hip can make it hard for you to do everyday activities, such as bending over to tie a shoe, rising from a chair, or taking a short walk. Because osteoarthritis gradually worsens over time, the sooner you start treatment, the more likely it is that you can lessen its impact on your life. Although there is no cure for osteoarthritis, there are many treatment options to help you manage pain and stay active.

Here at YourOrthoSolution, we have some of the top orthopedic surgeons and sports medicine physicians in the country. We are dedicated to getting you back to the things you love through a customized plan that fits only you. Our caring team always goes that extra step to make you feel like part of our family. We specialize in treating conditions such as hip osteoarthritis and want to help you start the healing process as quickly as possible to get you on the path to recovery.

Cause

Osteoarthritis of the hip is caused by overuse of the hip, producing wear and tear on the joint over time. It becomes increasingly common as a person ages because of the years and decades of stress placed on the joint during everyday activities. Some factors that can cause you to develop osteoarthritis at a younger age or have more severe disease include:

• Obesity
• Repetitive running or jumping
• A previous hip injury
• Irregular hip formation at birth, called developmental dysplasia of the hip
• Family history of osteoarthritis

Symptoms

• Pain and stiffness – this typically worsens gradually over time
• Dull aching in the groin, outer thigh, knee, or buttock

Treatment

Nonsurgical

Nonsurgical treatments for osteoarthritis of the hip typically includes:

• Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSIADs) – these may include over-the-counter NSAIDs, such as ibuprofen, or prescription NSAIDs, such as celecoxib
• Pain medications – these primarily consist of over-the-counter medications, such as acetaminophen
• Corticosteroid injections into the hip
• Corticosteroid pills – these are used rarely and usually only for short periods of time
• Physical therapy – this includes exercises to increase mobility of the hip joint and strength of the muscle around the joint
• Mobility assistive devices – such as canes or walkers are useful for more advanced disease

Surgical

Surgery may be the only option if nonsurgical treatments do not provide sufficient pain relief. Depending on your age and activity level, you may be a candidate for hip replacement surgery, in which the damaged cartilage and bone are first removed and then replaced by artificial metal or plastic joint surfaces.

After your surgery, our rehabilitation team at YourOrthoSolution will provide you with the expertise and exceptional experience that you deserve to help you recover as quickly as possible.

At YourOrthoSolution, all of our doctors and staff are committed to ensuring that you not only receive the best orthopedic care in the area but also have an exceptional experience during each visit to our locations. Our dedicated staff will handle all insurance processes for you. You can expect to be in a friendly atmosphere and receive top orthopedic treatment to help you return to full mobility as soon as possible.