what is HIP ARThritis?

 

Hip arthritis is a condition where the thigh bone (femur) and the pelvis (acetabulum) join together to make a joint. The joint is lined with articular cartilage and a labrum that holds the femur and the acetabulum in place. Arthritis is a condition where the cartilage wears down which contributes to pain, swelling in the joint, and eventually narrowing of the bones when no cartilage exists.

There are many types of arthritis, but osteoarthritis is the most common type of arthritis. A combination of trauma, shape of your hip or pelvis,labral injuries, and normal aging process contributes to the development of osteoarthritis.

How do I know if I have Hip Arthritis?

Patients report pain in the groin, stiffness, or difficulty getting out of a car or tying their shoes. X-rays and a history and physical exam can confirm the diagnosis.

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What are the treatments of Hip Arthritis?

Nonsurgical and noninvasive options include activity modifications, weight loss, physical therapy, and anti inflammatories. Physical therapy focuses on strengthening the hip abductor muscles (gluteus minimus, gluteus medius) to take pressure off the hip joint.

If physical therapy does not improve you pain or ability to perform activities, the next step is to consider injection. There are cortisone injections and orthobiologic injections. Cortisone is covered by insurance and decreases inflammation in the hip joint so you can strengthen the hip muscles in physical therapy. Cortisone can be short term and you do not want to repeat it more than 3 times in a year. Other injections to consider are orthobiologics. Orthobiologics include Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP), and microfragmented fat. Please speak with your physician to see if you are a candidate with these procedures. They can help with reducing pain and increasing function

If injections do not provide relief, the next procedure to consider is a hip replacement. There are two types of hip replacements: anterior which preserves the hip muscles or posterior which goes through the muscles but you have better access to the joint.
 

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Hip Research | Gluteus Tendonitis
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30840831/