What Is Arthritis Of The Hip
One of the most common causes of hip pain, arthritis is a wear and tear degenerative disorder that gets worse over time. Osteoarthritis the most common arthritis of the hip occurs when the cartilage within the hips ball-and-socket joint wears down. With less or no cartilage for cushion, the femoral head of the thigh bone rubs against the acetabular socket .
Less common, but still prevalent, is inflammatory arthritis of the hip. Rheumatoid arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis and systemic lupus erythematosus are the three types of inflammatory arthritis that affect the hip joint.
Symptoms Of Degenerative Arthritis Of The Hip
Degenerative arthritis of the hip, also known as osteoarthritis of the hip, is a problem that affects more women than men and can greatly damage one’s quality of life. It may appear simply as a result of time after the age of 60. Other causes include dislocations, poor nutrition or bone problems suffered an at earlier age. Nevertheless, osteoarthritis greatly affects the cartilage, so good prevention and treatment are key in improving health. It is therefore important to know the symptoms of degenerative arthritis of the hip to look out for. OneHowTo lists the predominant signs so that you can treat it as soon as possible.
As aforementioned, there are many different causes for degenerative arthritis of the hip, including:
- Trauma: resulting from injury or some poorly healed illness affecting that area. Dislocations may be another cause for degenerative arthritis of the hip.
- Vascular-related causes: vascular insufficiency may lead to osteoarthritis and might affect this area.
- Imbalance in our skeleton: this is something that happens frequently in many people because we are not 100% symmetrical. The length of the lower limbs may be uneven, causing the hip to wear, for which a solution must be found.
- Congenital factors: a congenital problem may be presented at birth, e.g. a growth disorder or hip dysplasia, which may eventually lead to hip osteoarthritis.
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Greater Trochanteric Pain Syndrome
The muscles around the buttock are called the gluteal muscles. Poor strength in the gluteal muscles can cause the front of the hip to overcompensate to stabilize and support the rest of the joint.
This causes the tendons attaching the gluteal muscles to the hip and pelvis to become squeezed, leading to pain at the hip known as greater trochanteric pain syndrome .
GTPS specifically involves the tendons and fluid-filled sacs surrounding the greater trochanter, which is the prominent bony part of a hip. An injury to either the tendons or sacs can cause pain and tenderness to the hip, particularly at night.
Carefully Monitor Your Hip Pain Level
The earlier the diagnosis, the more non-surgical options there are. Youre more likely to reduce pain and increase range of motion without surgery. This is important to note regardless of the level of pain.
Patients typically do not come in until their pain begins to limit daily activity. This begins with mild discomfort during exercise, but can progress to pain when walking. Eventually the pain is present even without activity and can even make it difficult to sleep.
If youre experiencing hip pain, we recommend documenting the time of day, severity, and activity causing the pain. That will help us better diagnose your pain and find the best treatment plan for you.
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How Arthritis In The Hips Is Diagnosed
The diagnosis of arthritis in the hips begins with taking your medical history and doing a physical exam of your hip. The doctor will look at where youre in pain and how well you can move the hip . Dr. Vigdorchik says he watches patients walk to assess their gait. If theyre tilting their body over the hip that hurts, thats the bodys response to making it hurt less, he says.
Your doctor will ask questions that can help make sure your pain is indeed coming from the hip and not due to a different problem. Other conditions like a hernia or a pinched nerve in the back can mimic pain from arthritis in the hip.
X-rays of the hips and spine can determine if the joint has any abnormalities and assess where your pain is coming from. They can reveal such changes indicative of arthritis, including:
- Thinning or erosion in the bones
- Loss of joint space
- Excess fluid in the joint
You may need other imaging, such as an MRI or a CT scan, to get a clearer picture if an X-ray doesnt show enough, says Dr. Vigdorchik.
If your doctor suspects that inflammatory arthritis could be responsible for your hip pain, they will order additional blood tests to check for levels of inflammation and the presence of antibodies that may indicate autoimmune disease .
Signs It May Be Time For A Hip Replacement
When is it time to consider a hip replacement? The at University of Maryland Medical Center may recommend to patients who, after non-surgical treatments for , continue to suffer and have the following symptoms.
You can make an appointment with one of our hip specialists by calling or .
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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.
Hip Bursitis Vs Arthritis
On the most basic level, the characteristics of your hip pain can help you determine whether youre suffering from hip arthritis or bursitis.
If your pain is sharp and intense at first, then ebbs to a widespread ache, you may have hip bursitis. Alternatively, if your pain develops slowly and feels worse in the morning, you may be suffering from hip arthritis.
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Pagets Disease Of Bone
Pagets disease affects the way bone develops and renews itself, causing it to become weaker. It usually affects the pelvis, causing it to grow out of shape. This can often lead to hip pain, but it is treatable with a group of drugs called bisphosphonates.
Bisphosphonates are drugs used to prevent the loss of bone mass and treat bone disorders such as osteoporosis and Pagets disease.
For more information see our sections on Pagets disease and bisphosphonates.
Tracking The Symptoms Of Hip Arthritis
Do you understand the factors that may affect hip arthritis symptoms? Keeping a symptom diary can help you find ways to relieve your arthritis pain.
If you have arthritis pain in your hip, you know how painful it can be. But did you know that there are different types of arthritis and, depending on the type, that the arthritis pain tends to differ? So telling your doctor exactly where it hurts and when the pain shows up is key to identifying which type of arthritis you have, or if your hip pain is even caused by arthritis at all.
Another reason your doctor will want to know the specifics of your pain is that the area where you feel pain may not always be where it is actually originating from, or where you might expect it to be, says Scott Zashin, MD, a rheumatologist in private practice and clinical associate professor at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical School in Dallas. Also, the intensity of your arthritis pain may change from day to day. Heres how to tell if your pain is a result of hip arthritis, and how pain intensity may affect your arthritis treatment.
Arthritis Pain: Pinpointing the Type
- Inflammatory arthritis often feels like a dull ache in your groin, buttocks, or thigh thats more intense in the mornings it feels better when you’re active.
Both types of arthritis can cause you to walk with a limp.
Arthritis Pain: Rating the Intensity
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What Are The First Signs Of Hip Problems
Is a bad hip affecting your daily activities? Hip problems can cause pain and are a common concern for many people, particularly as we get older and maintain an active lifestyle.
The specific location of hip pain can help to pinpoint the underlying cause. This can include problems in the tendons, muscles, ligaments, and other soft tissues surrounding the hip joint, or an issue in the lower back or spine. Hip pain can be felt in the outer hip, groin, or upper thigh.
Hip problems are usually associated with age. However, without proper care, anyone can develop a worn joint including the hip.
The following signs are frequent early symptoms of a hip problem:
Coping With Low Mood And Sleep Problems
You might find that osteoarthritis makes you feel depressed or anxious. Speak to your doctor if youre feeling low. They may be able to recommend psychological therapies to help you, such as cognitive behavioural therapy and a few stress-relieving techniques. If your sleep is disturbed because of hip osteoarthritis, this could make your pain feel worse. However, there are things you can do for yourself that might help, such as:
- Keep a sleep diary to work out if there are any patterns to your sleep problems.
- Sleep at regular times to get your body into a routine.
- Try to wind down before bed by having a warm bath or reading a book.
- For a more comfortable sleeping position, use a pillow between your legs if lying sideways, or use a pillow under your knees if lying on your back.
If youre still having problems, speak to your doctor or an occupational therapist. They can give you some tips and techniques. They may also refer you to a pain management clinic, where you can be shown how to live a more active life.
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How Is Arthritis Or Degeneration Of The Hip Joint Diagnosed
In most cases, a diagnosis can be made by X-ray and a physical examination. Damage to the hip creates a narrowing of the space between the ball and socket. Eventually, the hip can lose so much cartilage that bone touches bone, which can be very painful. Some patients have a painful hip that is caused by other structural problems with the hip joint. These structural problems usually can be diagnosed with a physical examination and X-rays, but sometimes more advanced imaging, such as MRI, can help identify other pain causes.
Nonsurgical Treatments For Hip Arthritis
Nonsurgical approaches that reduce pain and disability include:
- activity modification
- weight loss
- physical therapy
The first line of treatment of hip arthritis includes activity modification, anti-inflammatory medication, hip injections and weight loss. Weight loss helps decrease the force that goes across the hip joint. Giving up activities that make the pain worse may make this condition bearable for some people. Anti-inflammatory medications such as ibuprofen, naproxen and the newer Cox-2 inhibitors help alleviate the inflammation that may be contributing to the pain. Furthermore, studies have shown that walking with a cane significantly decreases the forces across the hip joint.
A combination of these non-operative measures may help ease the pain and disability caused by hip arthritis.
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Causes Of Groin Pain That Comes From The Hip
Groin pain that originates in your hip can vary in how it feels. It can be either sharp or dull, and either sudden or gradual. Its type and severity will depend on its cause.
If your pain results from problems in your muscles, bones, tendons, or bursae, it will probably become worse when you move.
Learn what conditions originating in your hip might be causing your groin pain, and the best treatment options.
What Does Arthritis Of The Hip Feel Like
- Pain that develops slowly and is typically worse in the morning or with rainy weather
- Stiffness, reduced range of motion and difficulty walking and/or bending
- Locking, sticking or grating of the hip joint during walking or exercise
- Pain in the hip, thigh, buttock and groin, especially during vigorous activity
- Swelling of the hip
- Tenderness in the hip joint
- Pain severe enough to make walking difficult or cause a limp
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Move Of The Month: Seated Pretzel
Stretches the buttocks, hips, and outer thighs.
Reps: 24
Hold: 1030 seconds
Starting position: Sit up straight in a chair and rest your left ankle on your right thigh above your knee. Place your hands on your thighs.
Movement: Keeping your spine neutral, slowly hinge forward from your hips until you feel a stretch in your left hip and buttock. Hold. Slowly return to the starting position. Repeat with your right ankle on your left knee. This is one rep.
Tips and techniques: Keep your spine neutral, not rounded, and your chest lifted as you lean forward. Keep your shoulders down and back, away from your ears, as you stretch. For a deeper stretch, gently press down with the hand on your bent leg.
Other Types Of Arthritis
Inflammatory conditions, such as rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis and ankylosing spondylitis can all cause hip pain. This can be managed with specific medications for each condition.
For more information see our sections on rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis and ankylosing spondylitis.
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When Hip Pain May Mean Arthritis
Learn about the various causes of hip pain, including different kinds of arthritis.
Many forms of arthritis and related conditions can cause pain, stiffness and swelling in the hips. Hip pain can occur on the outside or inside of the hip, the upper thigh or outer buttock. Here are some diseases that can affect the hips.
Osteoarthritis
Osteoarthritis is the most common form of arthritis. Also known as wear and tear arthritis, OA is a chronic condition caused by the breakdown of the cartilage, which cushions the ends of the bones where they meet to form joints. This breakdown causes the bones to rub together, causing stiffness, pain and loss of movement and the formation of bony overgrowths . Pain from hip OA is often felt in the groin area and front of the thigh. Stiffness may be worst after periods of inactivity, and decreased range of motion may affect your ability to walk.
Rheumatoid Arthritis
Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic inflammatory disease that occurs when the immune system doesnt work properly and attacks the joints . Hip involvement in RA is often signaled by pain, stiffness or swelling in the hips, thighs or groin area. RA usually affects the same joint on both sides of the body .
Juvenile Arthritis
Juvenile arthritis is the term used to describe joint and rheumatic diseases that affect children and teens 16 years and younger. There are several types of juvenile arthritis that cause hip joint pain and swelling.
AxSpA
Psoriatic Arthritis
Bursitis
Myositis
Tests For Groin And Hip Pain
At the appointment with your doctor, they will probably:
- feel your abdomen, leg, or hip to determine the exact location of your pain
- move your leg or hip in various positions
- test your strength by having you resist as they try to move your leg
Your doctor may order imaging tests to get further information. These might include:
- X-ray. Fractures or worn-down cartilage can be seen with X-rays.
- MRI.Magnetic resonance imaging shows soft tissue injuries, such as ligament, muscle, or tendon tears.
- Ultrasound.Ultrasound uses high-frequency sound waves to create images of your bodys organs, such as your ovaries. There is also a therapeutic form of ultrasound that is used to increase blood flow, relax muscles, and speed healing.
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Four Stages Of Osteoarthritis Of The Hip
Osteoarthritis, the most common type of arthritis, is a degenerative joint disease. It results from wear-and-tear in the joints. In hip osteoarthritis, the cartilage in the hip joint thins over time, reducing the protective layer between bones, leading to bone-on-bone rubbing and the formation of new bone spurs. These changes contribute to the symptoms of hip osteoarthritiswhich include pain and stiffness in the groin, buttocks, and knee.
Osteoarthritis is a progressive disease, with sequential stages. Your treatment will depend on the stage of your hip osteoarthritis.
Surgical Treatments For Hip Arthritis
If the non-operative methods have failed to make a person’s condition bearable, surgery may be the best option to treat hip arthritis. The exact type of surgery depends upon a patient’s age, anatomy, and underlying condition.
Surgical options for hip arthritis range from operations that preserve the hip joint to those that completely rebuild it. They include:
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