Hip arthritis is a progressive disorder which starts gradually and gets worse with time. The disorder limits a person’s ability to perform simple chores such as getting in and out of the car. The degenerative disorder may develop due to multiple reasons such as an injury, or infection. The cartilage that cushions the joints starts to break down over the time creating stiffness, pain, and difficulty in mobility. Constant pain in the groin or outside the hip could be a sign of arthritis. The blog post covers five types of arthritis that may permanently damage the hip joint, their symptoms and treatment.
Types of Hip Arthritis
Osteoarthritis is “arthritis of the bone” that results from the wear and tear of the joints. The hip has a ball-shaped end of the thigh bone that fits into the acetabular socket, also called as the hip socket. There’s a smooth cartilage inside the ball-and-socket joint that makes joint movement easy. If the cartilage wears off, the remaining rough surfaces of the ball-and-socket grind against each other and causing pain and discomfort. Osteoarthritis either degenerates or permanently damages the joint over time.
2. Rheumatoid Arthritis
Rheumatoid arthritis affects the entire body, including the hip joint. The inflammation is the result of immune system response instead of the wear and tear as in the case of osteoarthritis. A capsule surrounding the area protects the hip joint. The synovial lining in the capsule is filled with a lubricant that helps in smooth movement. Rheumatoid arthritis causes pain and swelling in the synovial lining and the problem may cause the bones and cartilage to deteriorate.
3. Ankylosing Spondylitis
A chronic inflammation of the spine and sacroiliac joint, ankylosing spondylitis can sometimes cause inflammation of the hip joint. The problem occurs in people of all ages, including children and is more common among men than women. Individuals with ankylosing spondylitis might experience flares and the condition may get worse with time.
4. Systemic Lupus Erythematosus
An autoimmune disorder, systemic lupus erythematosus may affect hip joint and any other part of the body. If the problem affects the hip, it slowly causes inflammation and damages the joints. Systemic lupus erythematosus also occurs in people of all ages and is common in women aged 15 to 35.
5. Psoriatic Arthritis
Psoriatic Arthritis is related to skin condition psoriasis and can cause stiffness, joint pain, and swelling. The problem affects any joint in the body, including the hip. Scaly red patches of skin are the first visible signs of psoriatic arthritis. There is also a possibility of an individual developing psoriatic arthritis before noticing skin problems.
The doctor upon suspecting hip arthritis asks about the medical history of the patient and performs a physical examination to check if the patient can move the hip. The doctors also conduct X-ray and radiography to examine the abnormalities in the joint. The doctor may prescribe blood tests to determine antibodies that may cause a specific type of arthritis.
Non-surgical treatment of hip arthritis includes anti-inflammatory medications, physical therapy, swimming, and corticosteroids. Changes in the lifestyle also help in reducing the symptoms of the problem, so an individual needs to maintain a healthy weight and change activities to reduce the stress on the hip. Surgery reduces pain, enhances the quality of life, and also improves the ability to perform everyday activities. If the hip joint is severely damaged, the doctor might recommend total hip replacement procedure.
Last Few Words
There’s no permanent cure for arthritis, and the problem worsens over time. Healthy lifestyle, exercise, and proper medication may, however, provide a lot of relief to an individual. If you want to find out more about the problem, feel free to get in touch with the team of experts at the Texas Health Spine & Orthopedic Center. You may fill up the appointment form or call us at 1-888-608-4762 to schedule a consultation.