Hip Arthritis (Hip Osteoarthritis)

Arthritis refers to degeneration of the cartilages in the joints. When the cartilaginous structure of the hip joint is damaged and deteriorated, it loses its lubricity and causes pain and restriction of movement. This condition is called hip arthritis.

Causes of Hip Arthritis

Advancing age and excessive weight are the two most significant causes of hip arthritis. The cartilages that bear the body weight may be exposed to friction and abrasion in time. When excessive weight is added up to the already triggered deterioration, the joints quickly degenerate and give way to severely damaged structures. Although age and weight are the two important risk factors, genetic factors and previous traumas or operations are also among the causes as hip arthritis can be observed in young patients with normal body-mass index (BMI). Below is a list of the causes of hip arthritis:

• Old age
• Excessive weight
• Hip fractures
• Mistreated hip dislocations
• Rheumatic diseases
• Inflammatory diseases
• Genetic factors
• Long-term cortisone use

Symptoms of Hip Arthritis

Pain is the most distinct symptom of hip arthritis. As the common complaint goes, hip arthritis patients experience pain while having long walks, standing for extended periods of time, and going up and down the stairs while rest relieves pain. However, as arthritis progresses, the pain that soars with physical action becomes overwhelming even in short walks or while resting.

At length, patients realise that their movements are considerably restricted and that they find it uncomfortable to move around, another symptom of hip arthritis. As everyday activities become painful and demanding, patients often feel that their joints are somehow strained while walking or climbing the stairs.

Diagnosing Hip Arthritis

The first thing to do for patients with the above-mentioned complaints is to see an orthopaedist. The diagnosis actually starts the moment the patient presents himself/herself in the examination room as the gait of the patient is often revealing for the orthopaedist. While a thorough physical hip examination might be enough to diagnose hip arthritis, x-ray, computerized tomography (CT), or magnetic resonance (MRI) imaging may be needed for a detailed and decisive diagnosis.

Hip Arthritis Treatment

As in other types of arthritis, there is no treatment that can fully restore a deteriorated hip. That is to say, no treatment of hip arthritis will bring the hip to its former state. Non-surgical treatment methods can be performed to slow down or terminate decay but if the cartilaginous structures are completely deteriorated and arthritis has progressed to advanced stages in line with the complaints of the patient, total hip replacement surgery may be required.

Non-Surgical Treatment of Hip Arthritis

In early and mid-stage arthritis, non-surgical strategies can be applied. Losing weight, resting, physiotherapy, and medication are among common non-surgical methods. Should these options fail, surgical procedures may be considered for patients with advanced hip arthritis.

Total Hip Replacement Surgery

Total hip replacement procedure refers to replacing deteriorated joint surfaces with prosthetic instruments. This is an open surgery that requires the overseeing of an expert surgeon. Lasting around 2 hours, the replacement operation is carried out under general anaesthesia. During the course of operation, the acetabular socket of the hipbone and the spherical end of the femur are replaced with a prosthetic joint that is capable of performing all the functions and motions of the original joint. Current technologies and high-quality prosthetics allow a comfortable post-operative. For more information, please refer to our article on hip replacement.