There are a number of hip problems than can lead to pain and difficulty during movement. One of the more common issues that we see is hip arthritis.
What is Arthritis?
Arthritis is inflammation of a joint. In some forms of arthritis, such as osteoarthritis, the inflammation arises because the articular cartilage, or smooth covering on the ends of bones, wears away.
Signs of Hip Arthritis
A classic sign is joint pain, characterized by a dull, aching pain in the groin, outer thigh or buttocks. The pain is often worse in the morning, but after you get up and move around for awhile, it may lessen. Vigorous activity can aggravate the pain and increase stiffness. Movement may be limited because of the pain, and walking may become difficult.
Hip Arthritis Treatment
There are non-surgical treatment options for hip arthritis, which one of our orthopedic surgeon can discuss with you at an appointment. When hip arthritis has advanced far enough to be unresponsive to medical treatment, joint replacement may be recommended.
The type of surgery depends on several factors, including age, the condition of the hip joint, the type of inflammatory arthritis, and the progression of the disease. If you require joint replacement, we can help you address your options.
Some recent advances in hip replacement enable placement of implants through a minimally invasive approach, as well as hip resurfacing, which leaves patients with more of their original bone.
We can talk to you about the specifics of your hip pain and the treatment options available to you.
