Hip Osteoarthritis

Arthritis occurs when the cartilage that cushions your joints gradually deteriorates. A joint is a location where two or more bones meet, such as the knee, hip, wrist or shoulder. When the cartilage deteriorates, the bones grind against one another, resulting in damage and pain.

Hip osteoarthritis is a form of arthritis that affects the hips. It is a degenerative joint disease that worsens over time and leads to progressive wear and tear on the hip joint cartilage. Generally, osteoarthritis is the type of arthritis that many develop as they age. It can occur at any age but is most prevalent in older adults. Osteoarthritis is commonly referred to as arthritis.

When you have arthritis, the cartilage that cushions and protects your joints breaks down, wears away and fails to repair over time. When it breaks down, the bones rub against each other, causing damage and pain. In some cases, arthritis is caused by other conditions that damage cartilage.

The most common cause of hip osteoarthritis is age-related wear and tear on the hip joint cartilage, but an injury or previous surgery can also be the cause.

Individuals with a genetic predisposition typically represent the highest-risk group for hip osteoarthritis. The condition’s incidence increases with age, added weight and previous hip injuries. Risk also increases with certain occupations or sports involving repetitive joint stress.

Maintaining a healthy weight, exercising regularly and avoiding activities that put excessive stress on the hip joint can help prevent hip osteoarthritis. Choose low-impact exercises like swimming, cycling and walking and incorporate squats and lunges into your routine to strengthen supportive muscle groups.

Symptoms usually start gradually and may include stiffness in the hip joints and pain in the thigh, groin or buttocks. Over time, the range of motion in the hip can decrease, and walking may become painful and difficult.

The symptoms of arthritis include pain and stiffness in the joints. Arthritis also makes it difficult to bend the joint or get the full range of motion you used to have. The symptoms can be mild to severe.

A doctor may order imaging tests such as X-rays or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans to diagnose hip osteoarthritis. These tests can reveal disease features including narrowing of the joint space or damage to the cartilage. A physical examination is typically performed to assess tenderness in the hip area, range of motion and muscle strength.

Your doctor can often diagnose arthritis by discussing your joint pain and other symptoms, along with performing a physical examination. You may also undergo X-rays and blood tests, which can help ensure that another disease isn’t responsible for your symptoms.

Treatment for arthritis may include pain medication and self-care. Self-care includes exercise and activity, maintaining a healthy weight, putting ice or heat on a sore joint and resting. You may also use devices and tools to make everyday tasks easier on your joints.

Treatment typically starts with over-the-counter medicines, but depending on the pain severity, your doctor may also prescribe stronger or different medicines. You may need to try several types of treatment to find what works for you. If your pain doesn’t get better with treatment, you may decide to have surgery.

There is no cure for arthritis. However, treatment can help slow or limit the breakdown of cartilage, reduce your pain and allow you to lead an active life. The team of experts at the Montefiore Einstein Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation can support your recovery and injury management by providing you with:

• Physical therapy
• Nonopioid oral pain management
• Image-guided corticosteroid joint injections

Living with hip osteoarthritis requires managing pain and maintaining mobility. Best results are achieved when individuals incorporate lifestyle changes, low-impact exercise, medication and in extreme cases, surgery. Physical and occupational therapists will develop an individualized treatment plan to help manage symptoms and strengthen supportive muscle groups to reduce pain.