What Are the Treatments for Osteoarthritis of the Hip?

Osteoarthritis of the hip joint is a very common and oftentimes debilitating condition that results in the gradual breakdown and destruction of the cartilage lining the hip joint. As hip osteoarthritis progresses, joint pain and limitation increase and basic everyday movements become more difficult. However, there are treatment options for arthritis of the hip joint.

Rest

• Prolonged periods of rest and abstinence from physically demanding activities, especially activities that overly tax the hip joint, often provide substantial pain relief from an osteoarthritic hip. Rest is often prescribed as an ongoing form of treatment for osteoarthritic hip pain flareups.

Pain Medications

• Before invasive surgical procedures such as hip replacement are considered, an osteoarthritic hip joint is normally treated with various types of pain and/or anti-inflammatory medications to decrease hip pain levels and improve hip functioning. When an arthritic hip no longer responds to various pain management methods, hip replacement surgery becomes a viable option.

Physical Therapy

• Osteoarthritis of the hip, especially in mild forms, often responds favorably to physical therapy treatments, which are designed to improve and maintain hip flexibility, soft tissue elasticity and overall hip function. Physical therapy for an osteoarthritic hip usually includes various hip stretches, massage and/or accupressure, and electrical muscle stimulation.

Steroid Injections

• Steroid injections are often used to treat painful hip arthritis flareups. When a hip is injected with steroid, a needle is inserted directly into the hip joint and a small dose of steroid is injected directly into the hip joint capsule, which normally provides significant but temporary hip pain relief.

Hip Replacement

• Hip replacement surgery is designed to treat severe hip arthritis that cannot be effectively managed with less-invasive forms of treatment. Hip replacement surgery involves the removal of diseased portions of an arthritic hip and replaces them with artificial materials that restore normal hip movement and function.