Three Causes of Hip Arthritis in Montgomery County
Have you or has someone you love been experiencing ongoing pain, swelling, or stiffness in the hip? Has this inflammation inhibited you from doing the things you love or even begun interfering with your day to day activities? If so, you may be suffering from hip arthritis. Fortunately, excellent care is available for hip arthritis in Montgomery County at nearby Rothman Orthopaedic Institute.
When seeking the best course of treatment for hip arthritis in Montgomery County, it is important to begin by understanding your condition. The term arthritis is actually a broad category which refers to the inflammation of a joint that causes pain, swelling, stiffness, instability, and potentially deformity. However, within that category, there are several different conditions and causes which may be at the root of these symptoms. Determining what causes your condition will help you and your doctor discern the appropriate treatment options.
Osteoarthritis or Degenerative Joint Disease
Degenerative joint disease, also known as osteoarthritis, is the most common type of arthritis. Considered a sort of “wear and tear” condition, it tends to happen over the course of a persons life as the cartilage within the hip or other joints wears away. Without the thick, smooth padding that cartilage offers, the bones of the joint begin to rub together, which can be both painful and damaging. Because the durability of your cartilage, and thus its longevity or lack thereof, is based in large part upon genetics, if your parent or parents had arthritis, you may also have this condition at some point. So, when discussing the cause of arthritis with your doctor, she or he will probably ask you about your family’s medical history.
Trauma
In other cases, trauma or injury can be a cause or factor in hip arthritis. If you were in an accident that injured your hip joint, and that injury did not heal properly, extra force or wear may be placed on the joint. Over time, this can result in the wearing away of cartilage. So, another important factor in your conversation with your doctor will be sharing any past injuries and other trauma to the hip.
Inflammatory Arthritis
Finally, inflammatory arthritis is a somewhat broad category which includes a number of more particular conditions. The term refers to swelling and heat of the joint lining, known as inflammation, which causes a release of enzymes in the cartilage. Over time, these enzymes soften and destroy the cartilage, leading to the painful rubbing of bone against bone. Several conditions fit within this category, including rheumatoid arthritis, Lupus, and psoriatic arthritis.
If you think you may have one of the above conditions, it is time to talk to a specialist for hip arthritis in Montgomery County. Make an appointment with the experts at Rothman Orthopaedic Institute today by calling 1.800.321.9999.
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