Osteoarthritis is the most common form of a disease that affects your joints causing stiffness and pain. Osteoarthritis is a global disease, and at least 8 million people in the UK suffer from the condition. Affecting one or both hips, Osteoarthritis in the hip is prevalent.
Radiated pain may be felt at the front of your groin, the front or side of your thigh, down to your knee or your buttock.
As the bone either side of the joint may be crunched-up, you may notice one leg shorter than the other.
Your physical symptoms usually are the first signs of Hip Osteoarthritis. In diagnosing the condition, your Doctor may check for: -
- Reduced movement
- Muscle thinning
- Joint tenderness
- Creaking or grating sounds
- Bony swelling
- Excess fluid
- Joint instability
Additional tests may include: -
- Blood tests – To help rule out other types of arthritis
- X-rays – Useful to confirm osteoarthritis, but x-rays can’t show how much pain or disability osteoarthritis is likely to cause.
- MRI scans – Rarely used, but may help rule out other joint issues related to soft tissue conditions
There is no real cause, and hip osteoarthritis occurs equally in men and women from their late 40's. People with hip problems from birth and some physical occupations may increase the risk.
- Capsaicin cream for osteoarthritis
- Stronger painkillers for osteoarthritis
- Surgery for osteoarthritis
- Steroid injections for osteoarthritis
- Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS)