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While there are several types of arthritis that can affect the hip, osteoarthritis, “arthritis of the bone” is the most common form of joint disorder in the United States. Osteoarthritis (OA) can affect any joint in the body. Pain from arthritis occurs when the protective cartilage on the ends of your bones wears down with time.
Several risk factors may contribute to the development of hip OA including age, gender, obesity, genetics, occupation and local joint risk factors. However, to date the exact primary hip OA etiology remains unknown (Lespasio et al, 2018).
Cartilage cushions the end of the bones of the hip joint, allowing the joint to move smoothly. As the cartilage cushion wears down and cartilage becomes rough, patients may experience joint pain, stiffness and swelling. There may also be clicking or locking with walking and decreased range of motion. Most commonly the pain develops slowly and worsens over time, but in some cases pain can have a sudden onset.
Diagnosis is based on detailed history, physical examination, and imaging. X-rays are often utilized to look for the narrowing of the joint and bone spurs to confirm the diagnosis of arthritis.
Maintaining a healthy body weight, avoiding overuse or repetitive activities, and strength training around the joint can help manage pain. It is important to stay as active as possible, and keep the muscles from getting weak. Braces, medications and injections can also help control pain.
Hyaluronic acid is a naturally occurring compound in the joint, and may help protect the cartilage and help control pain associated with hip osteoarthritis. At this time, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved viscosupplementation injections for knee osteoarthritis only. While the FDA has not yet approved viscosupplementation for the hip, we can offer these injections for hip osteoarthritis. Learn more about viscosupplementation here.
PRP therapy concentrates the growth factors in your own blood, which can decrease inflammation, improve function and control joint pain. In the treatment of hip osteoarthritis, we use a patient’s own platelets or stem cells to help accelerate healing and promote tissue regeneration.
Corticosteroids offer short-term pain relief, although recent evidence suggests that caution should be exercised when using multiple intra-articular steroid hip injections before a total hip replacement as there may be a significantly higher risk for prosthetic joint infection (Lespasio et al, 2018).
Stem cell injections use your own cells to stimulate the growth of healthy tissue to improve joint pain, function and cartilage quality.
In severe arthritis, joint replacement surgery to remove the damaged joint and replace it with an artificial joint may become necessary.
Lespasio MJ, Sultan AA, Piuzzi NS, Khlopas A, Husni ME, Muschler GF, Mont MA. Hip Osteoarthritis: A Primer. Perm J. 2018;22:17-084. doi: 10.7812/TPP/17-084. PMID: 29309269; PMCID: PMC5760056.