Hip Arthritis

The most common types of arthritis in the hip joint are:

• Osteoarthritis or Degenerative Joint Disease — This genetic “wear and tear” condition is often passed from parent to child. That’s because your cartilage’s durability is based on your genes. Over time, arthritic inflammation causes cartilage to break down and wear away. When bone rubs on bone, severe pain and disability can result.
• Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune disease that causes swelling and heat (inflammation) in the joint lining (the synovium). This releases enzymes which soften and eventually destroy hip joint cartilage. 

Less commonly, autoimmune diseases like lupus and psoriatic arthritis can cause the pain, inflammation, and deterioration of hip arthritis.

 

Symptoms

Osteoarthritis:

• Severe pain in the groin or thigh
• Pain occurs with activity and goes away when resting
• Nighttime pain, sometimes so severe it disturbs your sleep
• A stiff hip joint
• Limping

 

Rheumatoid arthritis:

• Severe pain, discomfort, and stiffness in the thigh and groin
• Additional RA symptoms such as fatigue, loss of appetite, pain, swelling, and stiffness in other joints

 

Causes

Osteoarthritis:

• Genetics
• Hip injury
• Prior surgery

 

Rheumatoid arthritis:

• Genetics
• Environmental factors
• Hormones

 

Risk Factors

Osteoarthritis:

• Genetics
• Hip injury
• Prior surgery
• Inflammatory diseases like lupus and psoriatic arthritis

 

Rheumatoid arthritis:

• Genetics, environmental factors, and hormones

 

Prevention

• You can’t prevent osteoarthritis, but you can reduce its progression:
• Stay at a healthy weight
• Control blood sugar levels (high glucose levels can weaken hip cartilage)
• Exercise and stretch regularly to build supportive muscles and reduce cartilage damage. Movement also triggers the release of synovial fluid that lubricates and nourishes hip cartilage
• Eat foods containing omega-3 fatty acids (e.g., salmon and other fatty fishes) that reduce inflammation 
• Avoiding repeated movements that wear down the hip joints
• Listen to your body. If it hurts, stop doing that movement
• You can’t prevent rheumatoid arthritis completely, but you can lower your risks:
• Quit smoking
• Prevent periodontal (gum) disease by flossing and brushing your teeth regularly and getting regular dental checkups

 

Diagnosis

Osteoarthritis:

• Personal and family medical history. 
• Physical exam
• X-ray 

 

Rheumatoid arthritis:

• Personal and family history
• Physical exam
• Blood tests
• X-ray
• MRI
• Ultrasound
• Bone scan

 

Why Rothman

Each year, Rothman's hip specialists help thousands of patients find pain relief through both non-operative and surgical treatments.  

For patients whose advanced arthritis isn’t helped by other approaches, Rothman’s Joint Replacement Institute offers state-of-the-art implants and surgical approaches to restore you to pain-free mobility again.

Our orthopedic specialists are board-certified, fellowship-trained and have many years of extensive experience treating hip problems. Some have been team physicians for area professional sports teams.

Rothman specialists regularly publish research in prestigious medical journals and lecture worldwide to share their vast knowledge with the next generation of orthopedic specialists.

Our nationally recognized orthopedic team is consistently ranked among the best in the Delaware Valley by U.S. News & World Report.

If you suffer from hip arthritis, consult with a Rothman specialist about treatments that may be right for you.