What Does Arthritis In My Back Feel Like

What Causes Osteoarthritis Of The Hip Joint

The causes of osteoarthritis of the hip are not known. Factors that may contribute include joint injury, increasing age, and being overweight.

In addition, osteoarthritis can sometimes be caused by other factors:

• The joints may not have formed properly.
• There may be genetic defects in the cartilage.
• The person may be putting extra stress on their joints, either by being overweight or through activities that involve the hip.

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Psoriatic Arthritis Of The Hip

Psoriatic arthritis is a type of arthritis that can develop in people with psoriasis, an autoimmune skin condition that can also cause inflammation in the joints, including the hip. Over time, untreated inflammation can lead to joint damage. Psoriatic arthritis of the hip is a chronic condition. It can develop before or after the telltale skin symptoms of psoriasis develop.

What Does Arthritis In The Hip Feel Like And What Could An Orthopedic Doctor Recommend To Help Me

Almost 60 million Americans have arthritis, which is inflammation in one or more joints. It is not only painful but can also lead to limited movement in the affected joint. Some types of arthritis, such as rheumatoid arthritis, can spread to tissues and organs far beyond the joints.

In the most common type of arthritis, which is osteoarthritis, there is a loss and wearing-down of the protective cartilage in the joint. This causes a bone in the joint to rub against the other bone during movement, causing considerable pain, stiffness, and swelling.

Since arthritis typically starts with minor discomfort that gradually gets worse over time, it pays to know the signs and symptoms of arthritis so it can be treated as early and effectively as possible. The joints which are most commonly reported to have arthritis are the hip, knee, shoulder, elbow, wrist, and ankle, so here well talk about hip arthritis and what a Raleigh orthopedic doctor can do for you.

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Other Symptoms Of Hip Osteoarthritis

In addition to pain, people with hip arthritis often report one or more of the following symptoms:

StiffnessDecreased cushioning from loss of cartilage and hip joint swelling can make the hip feel stiff. Stiffness will often occur first thing in the morning or after sitting for a long period. Stiffness may or may not be accompanied by a loss of range of motion.

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Loss of hip joint functionHip osteoarthritis can make walking painful, forcing a person to slow down or change the way they walk, employing an awkward gait. Other daily activities that involve bending, such as putting on socks and shoes, can be difficult or impossible. Getting in and out of chairs or cars may also be challenging.

Pain is relieved with restMost people who have mild to moderate hip arthritis notice that hip pain goes away when resting.

Inactivity makes it worseWhile a short rest usually relieves osteoarthritis symptoms, prolonged rest might make them worse. People with hip osteoarthritis often find stiffness and pain are most noticeable when they try to get out of bed in the morning or out of a chair after a long period of sitting.

Pain that is worse after inactivity may also be a symptom of Hip Bursitis

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Learning To Manage Lower Back Pain

Osteoarthritis is known for causing severe back pain, especially within the lower lumbar region. The pain can be debilitating and depressing, but there is hope. Learning how to manage your osteoarthritis and back pain can greatly improve the quality of your life and reduce the number of bad days you have. With the right treatment methods, you can improve your symptoms and start enjoying life once again.

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What You Need To Know

• There are several types of hip arthritis, including osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis and post-traumatic arthritis.
• The causes of hip arthritis vary depending on the type. The most common cause is age-related wear and tear in the hip joint.
• Symptoms of hip arthritis may include pain in or near the hip joint, stiffness, audible clicking sounds when moving the hip, and weakness.
• While hip arthritis is usually a chronic condition, there are treatments to help ease the symptoms and reduce further damage. If your quality of life suffers, surgery such as hip replacement can provide long-term relief.

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Common Symptoms Of Spinal Arthritis

Some symptoms of spinal arthritis are common to all of the different types of arthritis. These can include:

• Pain numbness in your arms and legs

There are some differences in how the symptoms can feel based on the type of arthritis.

Osteoarthritis tends to become more painful when the joint is in use, because prolonged use of the joint increases the grinding and inflammation in the joint.

For an inflammatory type of arthritis, like rheumatoid arthritis, the pain can become worse even when the joints not in use, and long periods of time in the same position can increase pain.

Symptoms can also vary based on the part of the spine affected. For example:

• Arthritis in the cervical spine can cause pain that radiates to the shoulders, back of the head, and chest. If the nerves leaving the spine are affected, numbness, tingling, and weakness in the arms and hands can occur.
• Arthritis in the thoracic region can lead to pain radiating through the rib cage or abdomen. Muscle spasms can occur throughout the back and abdomen. The diaphragmthe muscle below the rib cage that affects breathingcan be painful or have muscle spasms affecting breathing. Inflammation around the ribs can also lead to pain and difficulty breathing.
• Arthritis in the lumbar spine causes pain and stiffness in the lower back. If nerves are affected, it can lead to weakness, pain in the legs, bladder incontinence, and changes in bowel function.

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How To Diagnose Oa Of The Spine

Before diagnosing OA of the spine, your doctor may ask about your family history of the disease and complete a physical examination to check for tenderness, limited range of motion, and swelling in your back. Tell your doctor about any other symptoms you might have, such as numbness or weakness.

Imaging tests are commonly used to diagnose OA of the spine. These tests can check for bone damage, bone spurs, and loss of cartilage in your joints. Your doctor may order an X-ray or an MRI, which creates a detailed picture of your spine.

Since osteoarthritis of the spine has symptoms that are similar to other conditions, your doctor may also take your blood to rule out other diseases.

Some doctors order a joint fluid analysis. In this procedure, your doctor inserts a needle in the affected joint to collect a fluid sample. This test can determine whether symptoms are caused by OA, gout, or an infection.

Hot And Cold Treatments

Many people have found that hot and cold treatments help relieve back pain. You might try both to find out which works better for you. Heat relaxes muscles and soothes painful areas. There are many ways to apply heat. Some people like hot showers or baths, while others prefer using heat lamps, heating pads or warm compresses. If you have arthritis, heating your muscles first might make it easier for you to do back exercises. Be sure not to fall asleep while using heat. Cold has a numbing effect. This often helps relieve pain. You might try one of these methods for applying cold:

• a large ice cube used to massage the area
• a frozen package of vegetables
• a commercially made cold pack.
• Be sure not to leave ice on after the skin becomes numb. This could lead to localized frostbite. Do not use cold if you are especially sensitive to it or
• have decreased circulation or sensation. Read the pain management article for more information about heat and cold.

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Where Is Hip Arthritis Pain Felt

Hip-related pain is often diffuse, and may not be felt directly at the hip. This can make diagnosis difficult. Generally, symptoms of arthritis in the hip joint feel like pain down the leg, the lower back, buttock, groin, thigh, and inner knee. The pain is known to worsen with weight-bearing activities like walking, standing, or twisting.

Beyond pain, symptoms of worsening hip arthritis include joint stiffness, joint deformities, and leg-length differences. These symptoms are similar with different kinds of arthritis in the hips, such as rheumatoid arthritis.

How Arthritis In The Back Is Treated

Treatment for back arthritis depends on many factors, including your age, level of pain, type and severity of arthritis, other medical conditions and medications, and personal health goals. Because joint damage caused by arthritis is irreversible, treatment usually focuses on managing pain and preventing further damage.

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What Research Is Being Done

The mission of the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke is to seek fundamental knowledge of the brain and nervous system and to use that knowledge to reduce the burden of neurological disease. NINDS is a component of the National Institutes of Health , the leading supporter of biomedical research in the world.

As a primary supporter of research on pain and pain mechanisms, NINDS is a member of the NIH Pain Consortium, which was established to promote collaboration among the many NIH Institutes and Centers with research programs and activities addressing pain. On an even broader scale, NIH participates in the Interagency Pain Research Coordinating Committee, a federal advisory committee that coordinates research across other U.S. Department of Health and Human Services agencies as well as the Departments of Defense and Veterans Affairs.

Potential Causes Of Pain Radiating From Hip To Knee

Most hip pain is caused from overworking the muscles either by repetitive stress or overdoing exercises. The pain is caused by inflammation of the soft tissues and tendons of the hip. Usually this pain is relieved in a few days. Prolonged hip pain can be the cause of a specific condition. When the hip joint is injured, pain can be felt in the groin all the way down to the knee. Sometimes knee pain is the only sign that the hip is injured this is called referred pain.

A slipped lumbar disc in your lower back can also cause pain that is felt in your hip. With a lumbar disc injury, your knee and leg may also feel weak. Spinal stenosis is the narrowing of your spinal cord and nerves, which can cause isolated hip pain felt along with a numb feeling in the knees and legs. A sprain in your lower back, or a lumbosacral sprain, is an injury to the ligaments in your lower back. Pain from this injury accumulates to one side of the spine around the hip, making it difficult to bend or twist.

All these hip pain causes can be treated with conservative, therapeutic treatments.

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Can Hip Osteoarthritis Be Treated

While damage to the joints is irreversible, there are several treatment options, which can broadly be divided into non-surgical

Non-surgical treatment options

• Lifestyle modifications

• Weight loss can help relieve pressure on the hip joint, and reduce symptoms of pain.

• Activity modification to avoid activities that may trigger pain, such as stair climbing, and certain forms of intense exercise

• Walking aids can help take the weight off the affected hip, causing the patient to have greater mobility and less pain.

• Your doctor may refer you to a physiotherapist for a course of physiotherapy in order to improve hip function and relieve symptoms.
• Pain medications such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs help to reduce the pain and discomfort experienced by patients with hip osteoarthritis.

• There are multiple options for joint injections which can be considered to help relieve pain in the hip temporarily. Some options include,
• A combination of local anaesthetic and steroids

• Hyaluronic acid, which aids joint lubrication

• Autologous blood protein solution

Surgical treatment options

The best option for the treatment of OA of the hip is total joint replacement. This is a procedure in which the hip joint is removed surgically, and replaced with an artificial joint made of metal and plastic.

This option provides a lasting solution for patients troubled by hip pain. Modern implants will last for up to 15 years and allow a patient to return to his activity of choice in most cases.

How To Treat Oa Of The Spine

Theres no cure for osteoarthritis of the spine, and the condition isnt reversible. The goal of treatment is to relieve pain and to improve the mobility of the affected joint. Your doctor can discuss possible treatment options with you. Mild cases of OA of the spine may respond to over-the-counter medications such as acetaminophen . Take this medication as directed to avoid liver damage. You can also relieve pain and inflammation with ibuprofen and naproxen sodium . Side effects of these medications include upset stomach, bleeding problems, and organ damage, so its important to take as directed.

If symptoms dont respond to over-the-counter medication, your doctor may suggest antidepressants used to treat chronic pain. Another option is a corticosteroid injection directly into affected joints. Surgery isnt a common treatment for OA of the spine, but in severe cases you doctor may recommend a procedure to replace damaged discs in your spine.

Other therapies for treating and coping with osteoarthritis of the spine include:

• gentle exercises to reduce pain and improve range of motion in the remaining cartilage
• heat or cold therapy

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Spinal Arthritis Causes And Risk Factors

The causes of arthritis in the back or neck vary depending on the type of arthritis you have. Besides normal wear and tear and autoimmune triggers, in many cases the exact cause remains unknown. Genetic components have been identified in connection with some forms of spinal arthritis, meaning that it may be hereditary.

Other spinal arthritis risk factors include:

• Excess weight/obesity

• Presence of certain conditions such as diabetes, gout, psoriasis, tuberculosis, irritable bowel syndrome and Lyme disease

Other Body Parts Hurt Too

When arthritis of the spine advances, wear and tear on the vertebrae can cause a pinching or compressing of the spinal cord and nerves. Since the nerves running down your back connect to different areas of your body, you could end up feeling pain, numbness, tingling, or weakness in your hips, butt, legs, and feet. Those nerves go down the muscles of your legs, so that can cause weakness, Dr. Jayabalan adds.

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What Does A Pinched Nerve In The Hip Feel Like

A pinched nerve feels different from a stiff back, though the pain and symptoms vary among different people. A pinched nerve in the hip often causes pain in the groin. Sometimes the pain also radiates down the inner thigh. It can travel to the knee as well.

If you have a pinched nerve in your hip, walking will make it worse. The more activity you do, the worse the pain should become. The pain may feel like a dull ache or it may be a sharp, burning pain. You may also experience painful numbness, especially in the buttocks, or a tingling sensation. Some people also notice a tight feeling.

Who Gets Back Pain

Anyone can have back pain however, several factors increase your risk. Risk factors increase your chance of developing back pain and can include:

• Fitness level: Back pain is more common among people who are not physically fit. For example, weak back and stomach muscles may not properly support the spine. Back pain is also more likely if you exercise too strenuously after being inactive for a while.
• Weight gain: A diet high in calories and fat, combined with an inactive lifestyle, can lead to obesity. This can put stress on the back.
• Job-related risk factors: Jobs that require heavy lifting, pushing, pulling, or twisting can injure the back. A desk job may also play a role, especially if you have poor posture or sit all day in an uncomfortable chair.
• Age: Back pain becomes more common with age, particularly after the age of 45.
• Heredity: Genetics play a role in some disorders that cause back pain.

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What Are The Different Types Of Arthritis That Affect The Back

There are several types of arthritis. The different types of arthritis that may affect the back or neck include

• Osteoarthritis of the spine: This is noninflammatory, degenerative arthritis. It is the most common form of arthritis that affects the back. Wear and tear seem to be the reason that osteoarthritis develops.
• Rheumatoid arthritis of the spine: This is an autoimmune disorder where the lining of the joints is affected. Its a type of inflammatory arthritis because wear and tear on the joints is not involved.
• Fibromyalgia: This causes chronic, widespread muscle pain and fatigue.
• Spondyloarthritis: This is a group of inflammatory diseases that affects both the joints and the areas where the ligaments and tendons are attached to the bones. There are several forms of spondyloarthritis, including
• Ankylosing spondylitis: This is a type of spinal arthritis that causes inflammation of the vertebrae and the joints at the base of the spine.
• Psoriatic arthritis: This is an autoimmune disorder triggered by psoriasis and it is characterized by an itchy, scaly rash.
• Reactive arthritis: In this type of arthritis, a gastrointestinal or genital infection probably triggers joint inflammation. It usually affects the lower back.
• Enteropathic arthritis: This is a type of arthritis linked to inflammatory bowel disease.
• Undifferentiated spondyloarthritis