Osteoarthritis of the Hip

Signs and Symptoms

This condition causes the hip joint to get stiff and inflamed and can progress until resting no longer relieves your pain. Bone spurs might build up at the edges of the joint. When the cartilage wears away completely, bones rub directly against each other, making it very painful to move. You may lose the ability to rotate, flex or extend your hip. If you become less active to avoid the pain, the muscles controlling your joint get weak and you may start to limp.

Diagnosis

Your doctor will determine how much the disease has progressed. Describe your symptoms and when they began. Your doctor may rotate, flex and extend your hips to check for pain. He or she may want you to walk or stand on one leg to see how your hips line up. Both hips will probably be X-rayed to check if hip joint space has changed, and if you have developed bone spurs or other abnormalities.

Treatment

While you can't reverse the effects of osteoarthritis, early treatment may help you avoid pain and disability and slow progression of the disease. Surgery may help if your condition is already severe.

If you have early stages of osteoarthritis of the hip, the first treatments may include:

• Resting your hip from overuse
• Following a physical therapy program of gentle, regular exercise like swimming, water aerobics or cycling to keep your joint functioning and improve its strength and range of motion
• Using nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications like ibuprofen for pain
• Getting enough sleep each night

In later stages of osteoarthritis, your hip joint hurts when you rest at night or your hip may be severely deformed. Your doctor may recommend total hip replacement surgery or arthroplasty. A two-piece ball and socket will replace your hip joint. This will cure your pain and improve your ability to walk. You may need crutches or a walker for a time after surgery. Rehabilitation is important to restore your hip's flexibility and to work your muscles back into shape.