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Help for Osteoarthritis of the Hip

Osteoarthritis is a degenerative disease characterized by cartilage breakdown that exposes underlying bone to abnormal stress and friction. It is also known as degenerative joint disease. When osteoarthritis affects the hip, it triggers symptoms that can include stiffness, pain and moderate or severe disability. While the condition cannot be cured, treatments are available to limit its harmful effects.

  1. Understanding Your Symptoms

    • According to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, early signs of hip osteoarthritis include morning stiffness and discomfort in your thigh, groin or buttock that grow worse with activity. Typically, resting will ease your symptoms. However, as your condition progresses, resting will no longer bring relief. If left untreated, osteoarthritis will eventually wear away your cartilage until bone-on-bone contact occurs, leading to increasing pain and movement restrictions. Bone spurs may also develop at the edges of your hip joint and intensify your symptoms. If you experience any of the progressive signs of osteoarthritis, see your doctor as soon as you can for a proper diagnosis.

    Nonsurgical Treatments

    • Early treatment of your hip osteoarthritis can save you from significant pain and disability. Initially, your doctor may ask you to rest your hip as often as possible and stop any activities that tend to worsen your symptoms. He may also refer you to a physical therapist who can help you plan an exercise program to strengthen the muscles surrounding your hip and maintain your range of motion. Common exercises used for this purpose include cycling, swimming and water aerobics. To reinforce the effects of treatment, you will need to make sure you get adequate amounts of sleep.

      If your pain and stiffness disrupt your daily routine, your doctor may also recommend temporary use of a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory (NSAID) medication such as aspirin, naproxen or ibuprofen. You may also benefit from an analgesic product such as acetaminophen. If your pain is severe, your doctor may prescribe temporary use of an opioid painkiller such as codeine or oxycodone. As an alternative, he may choose to inject an anti-inflammatory corticosteroid such as prednisone directly into your hip joint. If you are overweight, you will almost certainly benefit from returning to a weight that is appropriate to your height and gender. In some cases, your doctor may recommend use of a cane or walker to relieve stress on your hip joint.

    Surgical Options

    • If your hip osteoarthritis pain is not well-controlled through conservative treatment options, or if the restrictions to your daily activity become severe, your doctor may refer you to an orthopedic surgeon. If this is the case, your surgeon will assess your condition and plan an appropriate procedure. Osteotomy is a relatively conservative procedure that involves cutting away sections of damaged bone and resurfacing the interior of your hip joint. If you are not a candidate for this treatment option, you may require a total hip replacement. In this procedure, your surgeon will replace the bones of your entire hip joint with man-made substitutes. Consult your doctor or surgeon for more information regarding these procedures.

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