Rothman Orthopaedic Institute can help.
What is Hip Arthritis?
The hip is a ball-and-socket joint comprised of the femoral head (the “ball” at the top of the thigh bone) and the acetabulum (the “socket” in the pelvic bone), with a cushion of soft cartilage between them. Hip arthritis occurs when the cartilage between the bones wears down or is injured, thereby allowing the bones to rub together and cause pain and inflammation.
Hip arthritis is a progressive disorder, meaning it tends to develop gradually and worsen over time. However, the degree of disability and pain arthritis patients experience varies greatly from person to person with customized treatment and diagnosis.
Symptoms And Diagnosis
Common symptoms of hip arthritis, regardless of the type, include:
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Pain in the hip joint that may radiate to the thigh, groin area, or buttocks
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Difficulty walking and/or limping
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Stiffness and/or limited range of motion
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Pain that is worse in the morning and gradually lessens with activity
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Pain that intensifies with vigorous or extended activity
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Fatigue or weakness
Any of these symptoms, left untreated, can begin to limit your ability to participate in activities you love. If you or someone you love suffers from any of these symptoms of hip arthritis in Northeast Philadelphia, it is time to seek the professional medical help of a specialist at Rothman Orthopaedic Institute. Arthritis can be properly diagnosed during an office visit that will typically include a medical history review, a physical exam and an x-ray.
Treatment Options For Hip Arthritis in Northeast Philadelphia
Even before receiving a diagnosis, there are some lifestyle changes that can help to prevent or reduce the symptoms and discomfort of hip arthritis, including:
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Maintaining a healthy weight (or losing weight, as needed)
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Adjusting activities to minimize stress on the hip
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Adding strength-building exercises to your daily routine
Once diagnosed, non-surgical treatment options for hip arthritis may include:
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Physical therapy or low-impact exercise programs that improve flexibility, build strength, and maintain muscle tone, such as swimming
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Walking support devices such as canes or walkers to make it easier and safer for you to get around
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·Anti-inflammatory medications, such as ibuprofen, to reduce pain and swelling
For some patients, especially those whose hip arthritis is at a more advanced stage, these conservative methods are not enough for a lasting solution. In that case, surgery can help to reduce pain, enhance quality of life, and improve your ability to perform everyday activities with fewer or no restrictions.
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Osteotomy surgery may be appropriate in less severe cases. Hip osteotomy surgery repositions the joint to allow the healthy part of the hip joint to bear most of the body’s weight. Only a select number of patients are candidates for osteotomy surgery.
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Total hip replacement may be the best choice for a severely injured hip joint. In a hip replacement procedure (or arthroplasty), the diseased parts of the hip joint are removed and replaced with new, prosthetic parts, ultimately allowing for increased mobility, improved joint function, and relief of pain.
When trying to decide how to treat hip arthritis in Northeast Philadelphia, patients should always begin by consulting with their doctors. For more specialized help, they should see a hip expert at Rothman Orthopaedic Institute. Our physicians are some of the most experienced specialists for hip arthritis in Northeast Philadelphia, and they can offer comprehensive treatment for your hip.
Call Rothman Orthopaedic Institute today to schedule an appointment at 800.321.9999.
