Osteoarthritis is the most common type of hip arthritis. Also called wear-and-tear arthritis or degenerative joint disease, osteoarthritis is characterized by progressive wearing away of the cartilage of the joint. As the protective cartilage is worn away by hip arthritis, bare bone is exposed within the joint.
Who develops hip arthritis?
Hip arthritis typically affects patients over 50 years of age. It is more common in people who are overweight, and weight loss tends to reduce the symptoms associated with hip arthritis. There is also a genetic predisposition of this condition, meaning hip arthritis tends to run in families. Other factors that can contribute to developing hip arthritis include traumatic injuries to the hip and fractures to the bone around the joint.
What are the common symptoms of hip arthritis?
Hip arthritis symptoms tend to progress as the condition worsens. What is interesting about hip arthritis is that symptoms do not always progress steadily with time. Often patients report good months and bad months or symptom changes with weather changes. This is important to understand because comparing the symptoms of hip arthritis on one particular day may not accurately represent the overall progression of the condition.
The most common symptoms of hip arthritis are
• Pain with activities
• Limited range of motion
• Stiffness of the hip
• Walking with a limp
Evaluation of a patient with hip arthritis should begin with a physical examination and x-rays. These can serve as a baseline to
evaluate later examinations and determine progression of the condition.
hat is the treatment for hip arthritis?
Treatment of hip arthritis should begin with the most basic steps, and progress to the more involved, possibly including surgery. Not all treatments are appropriate in every patient, and you should have a discussion with your doctor to determine which treatments are appropriate for your hip arthritis.
eight Loss
Probably one of the most important, yet least commonly performed treatments. The less weight the joint has to carry, the less painful activities will be.
Activity Modification
Limiting certain activities may be necessary, and learning new exercise methods may be helpful. Aquatic exercise is an excellent option for patients who have difficulty exercising.
alking Aids
Use of a cane or a single crutch is the hand opposite the affected hip will help decrease the demand placed on the arthritic joint.
hysical Therapy
Strengthening of the muscles around the hip joint may help decrease the burden on the hip. Preventing atrophy of the muscles is an important part of maintaining functional use of the hip.
nti-Inflammatory Medications
Anti-inflammatory pain medications (NSAID's) are prescription and nonprescription drugs that help treat pain and inflammation.
oint Supplements (Glucosamine)
Glucosamine appears to be safe and might be effective for treatment of osteoarthritis, but research into these supplements has been limited.
otal Hip Replacement Surgery
In this procedure the cartilage is removed and a metal & plastic implant is placed in the hip.
hat is snapping hip syndrome?
Snapping hip syndrome is a condition that is characterized by a snapping sensation, and often an audible 'popping' noise, when the hip is flexed and extended. There are several causes for snapping hip syndrome, most commonly due to tendons catching on bony prominence's and "snapping" when the hip is moved.
hat causes snapping hip syndrome?
There are three primary causes for snapping hip syndrome:
- Iliotibial Band Snap
The iliotibial band is a thick, wide tendon over the outside of the hip joint. The most common cause of snapping hip syndrome is when the Iliotibial band (or "IT band") snaps over the greater trochanter (the bony prominence over the outside of the hip joint). If this is the cause of snapping hip syndrome, patients may develop trochanteric bursitis from the irritation of the bursa in this region.
• Iliopsoas Tendon Snap
The iliopsoas tendon is the primary hip flexor muscle, and the tendon of this muscle passes just in front of the hip joint. The iliopsoas tendon can catch on a bony prominence of the pelvis and cause a snap when the hip is flexed. Usually when the iliopsoas tendon is the cause of snapping hip syndrome, patients have no problems, but may find the snapping annoying.
• Hip Labral Tear
The least common cause of snapping hip syndrome is a tear of the cartilage within the hip joint. If there is a loose flap of cartilage catching within the joint, this may cause a snapping sensation when the hip is moved. This cause of snapping hip syndrome typically causes a snapping sensation, but rarely an audible "pop." This cause of snapping hip syndrome may also cause an unsteady feeling, and patients may grab for support when the hip snaps.
re any tests necessary to diagnose snapping hip syndrome?
An X-Ray is usually taken to confirm that there is no bony problem around the hip joint, but X-Rays are almost always normal with snapping hip syndrome. If the cause of snapping hip syndrome is thought to be due to a tear of the cartilage within the hip joint, an MRI may be obtained to look for evidence of this difficult to diagnose problem.
s any treatment needed for snapping hip syndrome?
Usually, simple reassurance that nothing serious is wrong is sufficient. A sort course of anti-inflammatory medications, or possibly a cortisone injection will help control inflammation if this is contributing to the problem. Physical therapy may be useful for stretching out the muscles and tendons that cause a snapping hip and may help prevent the problem.
Surgery is rarely necessary, and reserved for patients who have severe symptoms for long periods of time with adequate trial of non-operative treatments. If this is the case, surgery to relax the tendons, or remove the cartilage tear may help with the symptoms of a snapping hip.
ip stiffness and grinding
Are most often symptoms of hip arthritis. Hip arthritis leads to wearing away of the normal smooth cartilage within the hip joint. As the cartilage thins, bone can grind against bone. Bone spurs may form around the joint leading to limitations in normal motion.
This is often experienced by patients as:
- Difficulty lying down flat with the legs extended
- Inability to bend over to pick something off the floor
- Difficulty reaching to put on socks and shoes
edical Conditions
