Hip Arthritis
Any condition that causes the slippery cartilage surfaces to break down and no longer glide smoothly will result in a painful, stiff hip joint. There are many contributing factors that lead to hip arthritis with the final common pathway of cartilage degradation or wearing out.
This lack of cartilage may give a catching or grating sensation from time to time, and even occasionally make an unusual click. Commonly, the symptoms of arthritis are pain and stiffness in the groin, lower back, thigh, or even the buttock. Occasionally an arthritic hip may lead to pain in the knee which is known as referred pain.
As a result of the cartilage breaking down, the space between the bones, normally made up by the cartilage and synovial fluid, breaks down and becomes narrow. The body attempts to “heal” itself and so it will often form large spurs of bone, the capsule of the joint will become thickened with inflammation, and small pockets (cysts) may form in the surrounding bone. These are the hallmarks of all types of arthritis.
If left untreated osteoarthritis of the hip does not get better by itself and does not “heal” on its own. There will be periods where the symptoms may get better for a while (e.g. in warmer weather or with less activity), but invariably it will deteriorate again and gradually the pain will increase in severity or frequency, as will limping and stiffness.
Treatment Options:
Non surgical:
- Physiotherapy, hydrotherapy, yoga, pilates
- Weight loss
- Non impact exercises
- Activity modification
- Anti-inflammatories + Panadol
- Gait aids eg walking stick
- Intra-articular injections
- Steroids eg cortisone
- Viscosupplementation
Surgical:
- Joint Replacement
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Knee and Hip Osteoarthritis Information Brochure
Your individual plan and method of treatment is best discussed in person with Jonathan.