Hip Arthritis
Signs, Symptoms and Treatment
About Arthritis
Arthritis means inflammation of the joints and causes varying degrees of pain and stiffness. Arthritis can make it difficult to do daily activities and can stop you from walking comfortably or sitting up straight. There are many different forms of arthritis and each one causes different symptoms and needs different treatments.
Our treatment goals are to improve quality of life by reducing pain, restoring function, correcting deformity and keeping you MOVING.
About the hip Joint
The hip is a ball and socket joint located at the top of your thigh bone, it gives the stability needed to bear your body weight and allows movement to happen.
A layer of articular cartilage covers the ball and socket joint and enables it to glide together easily and cushions your joints. Once arthritis occurs, a loss of cartilage ensues leading to bone-on-bone contact which causes damage to the bone, inflammation and a great degree of pain and discomfort.
The most common type of arthritis that can affect the hip is primary osteoarthritis, also known as degenerative arthritis. It is associated with wear and tear of the hip joint as you get older and can affect you especially if there is a family history of it.
The Risks of Hip Arthritis
Hip arthritis affects your quality of life, mobility and your overall health. Failure to treat osteoarthritis of the hip raises your risk of heart disease, diabetic complications and death.
Other causes and types of hip arthritis
Post-traumatic arthritis
Post-traumatic arthritis occurs after you’ve experienced a trauma to a joint and develops quicker than the usual period of wear and tear arthritis.
Avascular necrosis of the hip (AVN)
Avascular necrosis of the hip (AVN) is a condition where the blood supply to the femoral head (which forms the ball part of the hip joint) is disrupted. If left untreated the bone dies and the hip degenerates causing arthritis.
Dysplasia of the hip
Dysplasia of the hip where the cup portion of the hip joint fails to develop appropriately and remains very shallow, causing damage to the ball part of the hip joint.
Childhood hip conditions
Childhood hip conditions such as Perthe’s disease and SUFE (Slipped Upper Femoral Epiphysis) can cause early onset hip arthritis in adults.
Septic arthritis
Septic arthritis is due to a bacterial infection within the hip joint and is more common in children. This type of arthritis requires emergency surgical drainage of the hip joint.
Rheumatoid arthritis:
Rheumatoid arthritis: this is an autoimmune disease, which means the body’s immune system attacks the soft tissue lining of the joints causing painful inflammation and swelling. Over time, this results in bone erosion and joint deformity.
Ankylosing Spondylitis
Ankylosing Spondylitis is an autoimmune disease which primarily affects the spine, with up to a third of patients having hip involvement.
Systemic Lupus Erythematosus
Systemic Lupus Erythematosus is an autoimmune disease which causes inflammation and damage to the hip joint, causing hip arthritis.
Sings and Symptoms of Hip Arthritis
Hip Arthritis Symptoms
- Pain in the hip joint which may extend to the groin, buttocks or outer thigh (a clicking or snapping sound can sometimes be heard.)
- Difficulty walking (this in turn puts extra stress on the hip and increases pain.)
- Stiffness in the hip
- Difficulty with ADL (activities of daily living)
- Difficulty doing stairs
Hip Arthritis Treatment Options
The Risks of Hip Arthritis
There are no cures for hip arthritis, but there are steps that can be taken to ease the symptoms and slow down the progression of this disease. It is important to recognise it early and treat it accordingly.
It is essential to keep your joints healthy by maintaining mobility and function. There are two ways to treat hip arthritis, either surgically or non-surgically.
Physical therapy
Physical therapy under the guideance of a physio therapist.
Exercising (low impact)
Low Impact exercise to build strength and muscle tone eg. yoga, walking and swimming
Weight Loss (if applicable)
Excess weight places strain on your joints. A weight loss program can help in the prevention and recovery of hip arthritis.
Anti-inflammatory medications
Anti-inflammatory medications such as ibuprofen, Celebrex and Arcoxia.
Walking Aids
Walking aids such as canes that provide safety and ease while walking.
Injections
Corticosteroids injections that block the inflammation in the joint providing pain relief.
Surgical Options for Hip Arthritis
Total hip replacement
Total hip replacement currently remains the gold standard for end stage hip arthritis. The ball and socket joint of the hip is resurfaced with artificial implants made from metal and plastic components.
Benefits of Total Hip Replacement
- Total Hip Replacement has been called “the operation of the 21st century” due to its dramatic ability to relieve pain and restore quality of life.
- Patients are able to walk with a walking frame or crutches immediately after surgery and often only need to spend one night in hospital.
- There is no minimum or maximum age for hip replacement. It has been shown to have great success in children all the way up to very old patients.
- Full recovery takes between six weeks to 3 months.
- Modern approaches such as those adopted by Dr Manjra through his training both locally and internationally are more tissue sparing and minimally invasive resulting in less or no damage to muscle and significantly less pain.
- Replacements can last up to twenty years.
071 8000 336
info@drmmanjra.co.za
Ahmed Al-Kadi Private Hospital
Suite 9, Level 2, 490 King Cetshwayo Highway, Mayville, Durban, 4058
031 492 3455
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