Medically Reviewed by Derek DeYoung, PA-C
Hip osteoarthritis happens when the cartilage in the joints of the hips wears down, leaving the bones unprotected. It can result in a painful hip joint when the bones rub against each other during movements. The hip joint may ultimately fail which may limit a person’s mobility.Â
According to a study published in The Permanente Journal, 9.2% of adults aged 45 and above develop hip osteoarthritis and it’s more common in women than men. The Center for Disease Control, on the other hand, states that symptomatic hip osteoarthritis occurs among 18.5% of men and 28.6% of women.
What are the symptoms of hip osteoarthritis?Â
The pain of hip osteoarthritis may start in the side of the hip, spread to the front of the groin and then radiate towards the thigh. In some cases, the pain may extend to the buttocks and the back of the thighs.
The discomfort brought on by hip osteoarthritis may be aggravated by weight-bearing and vigorous activities like doing sports, outdoor gardening, jogging, walking and standing for too long. Some simple movements, such as getting in and out of the car, or rising from a seated position, can also be hard to do when the hip joints are frail.
Hip osteoarthritis can worsen over time, especially with frequent physical activities. It may also cause the following symptoms, which one of our hip specialists would assess to get an accurate diagnosis:
- Stiffness of the joints upon waking up in the morning or after a period of inactivity
- Tenderness
- Inflexibility or loss of full range of motion
- Grating sensation with some popping, crunching or cracking
- Swelling due to soft tissue inflammation
What causes hip osteoarthritis?Â
The breakdown and deterioration of the cartilage in the hip joints is due to several factors. It comes with age and genetics for some people, according to the Journal of Medical Genetics. Hip osteoarthritis may also develop due to obesity, joint injuries or trauma, repeated stress on the hips, bone deformities and metabolic diseases.
The degeneration of hip osteoarthritis may take a long time, but the progression of the symptoms happens fairly quickly in some patients as arthritic conditions are different for everyone. There are cases, however, when a patient may present a badly damaged hip during an X-ray diagnosis, but present little pain or discomfort. Others may have insignificant X-ray results, but experience a lot of pain.
What are the treatments for hip osteoarthritis?
Most of the time, a patient may relieve hip pain with painkillers, but if the pain has not improved for two weeks, it’s best to see an Orthopedic Hip Specialist for a proper evaluation. It’s important to get a good diagnosis of the hip osteoarthritis so that the doctor can come up with a treatment plan. The diagnosis may include X-rays, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), blood tests and fluid analysis.
Once the tests are completed, the doctor may prescribe non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), acetaminophen or duloxetine to manage the chronic pain. If necessary, the doctor may also suggest losing some weight to slow down the progression of hip osteoarthritis.
Physical therapy in Raleigh Orthopedic Clinic, or occupational therapy may also be recommended to:Â
- Increase body flexibility and range of motion
- Alleviate the painÂ
- Improve the overall condition through exercises and movements
- Help the patient do everyday routines without adding more stress to the hip joints
- Teach the patient to use supportive devices properly Â
For patients who are sensitive to medication, the below treatment alternatives may help with chronic pain:Â Â
- Steroid injections
- Hyaluronic acid injectionsÂ
- Regenerative medicine injections like platelet-rich therapy (PRP) or other therapeutic injections for arthritis and tendonitis
- Radiofrequency ablation (RFA)
Before undergoing any treatment procedure, it’s best to talk to your doctor to discuss all of the advantages and disadvantages. If these treatment options still do not give any improvements, the patient’s last recourse may be hip surgery.
Schedule an Appointment with Raleigh Orthopaedic
If you’re dealing with pain, discomfort, or an injury, don’t wait to get the care you need. Our expert team at Raleigh Orthopaedic is here to help you feel better, move better, and get back to doing what you love. Schedule an appointment online or call us at 919-781-5600 to be seen—often within 48 hours. For immediate care, we offer walk-in orthopedic urgent care services. Click here for hours and locations.
Disclaimer:Â The information on this site is for general informational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. It should not be used as a substitute for professional diagnosis, treatment, or medical judgment. Always consult a physician or qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have about a medical condition or treatment.