Osteoarthritis Hip

Osteoarthritis is a common form of arthritis. It is a degenerative disease. Millions of people around the world are affected by it. It is most commonly caused in people aged 50 and over, but it can also occur in young people. The protective layer of the bone, the cartilage, is damaged over time due to use or other causes. This form of arthritis can damage any joint, but the hip, spine, knee and hands joints are most affected. It affects the quality of life of the affected person. When the hip joint is affected, the movement associated with the hip joints becomes limited after hip osteoarthritis. 

Some of the signs and symptoms of the hip osteoarthritis are:-

1. Pain may occur slowly or may have a sudden onset and worsens with time. 
2. Joint stiffness in the morning, especially during the rainy season.
3. Decreased range of motion in the hip and walking ability may be affected
4. Locking or sticking of joint
5. Loose cartilage fragments cause creating grinding noise during movement
6. Tenderness at hip

Some of the factors that can develop this disease are:-

1. Increasing age
2. Family history of arthritis
3. Increasing weight
4. History of injury to the hip joint
5. Improper formation of the hip joint during the gestation period. This condition is known as dysplasia of the hip.
6. The genetic defect in cartilage
7. Putting extra weight on the joint either by being overweight or by involving in such activities

Some of the factors that increase the chances of developing the hip osteoarthritis are:-

1. Old age
2. Increased weight
3. Increased level of stress and load on the joint
4. Getting indulged in sports like football, hockey, weight lifting etc.
5. Injury to hip joint
6. Post-menopausal women are more likely to develop hip osteoarthritis.

1. First, the doctor will ask for the patient's medical history. That must include where you have felt pain at the time of limping.
2. The doctor can also conduct a physical examination on the patient. It is done to check the mobility of the hip joint.
3. The doctor may also order some of the imaging tests also
   1. X-ray: Cartilage is not shown in the x-ray, but the narrowing can see the loss of the cartilage in the space between the bones due to the loss of the cartilage.
   2. MRI scan: This uses magnetic waves to obtain a clear image of the bones and soft tissues. Cartilage is shown clearly in MRI scans. Although it is not commonly needed for the diagnosis of hip osteoarthritis.
4. Lab tests like blood tests and joint fluid analysis can also be ordered. In the joint fluid test, a syringe is used to withdraw the fluid from the joint. Then this is tested for the presence of the inflammation in it.

Treatment options for hip osteoarthritis include weight management, medication, stretching, supplement, and surgery.

Surgery

Two types of surgery are used to treat hip osteoarthritis. They are:

1. Hip resurfacing: In this surgery, the surgeon trims and removes the damaged cartilage. Then it is capped by a metal shell which acts as an artificial surface.
2. Total hip replacement: In this surgery, the total joint is replaced by a new socket and head of the femur.

Non-surgical treatment

1. The patient is advised to modify his lifestyle, such as decreasing weight. It will decrease the stress on the hip joint. It may extend the life of the joint and helps in decreasing inflammation.
2. Heating pads can also help in relieving inflammation in the hip.
3. Walking aids like walkers and canes provide support during walking and reduce the stress on the hip joint.
4. Avoid activities such as running and jumping. 
5. Injections like hyaluronic acid injections, corticosteroid injections, and platelet-rich plasma injections are highly effective in controlling pain.
6. Medicines like ibuprofen, naproxen, and acetaminophen are used to treat the mild pain of hip arthritis.
7. People having severe cases may need to take prescription pain killer medicines like tramadol and duloxetine.

The degradation of the joint is not a sudden phenomenon. But it is time to see the doctor when the pain in the joints is interfering with the daily activities. Some of the complications of hip osteoarthritis are:-

1. Sleep disruption
2. Reduced productivity (decreased performance in cooking, getting dressed, and doing household chores.)
3. A sudden increase in body weight
4. Anxiety
5. Depression
6. High blood pressure and heart diseases are complications that can arise due to increased weight.
7. Bone death
8. Infection in joint
9. Stressed fracture

Progression of hip osteoarthritis

Stage 1: There is minor wear and tear of the joint. In addition, there may be some spurs on the hip joint. 

Stage 2: In this stage, the cartilage begins to break down. The growth of bone spurs is now visible in x-rays also. Symptoms like pain and stiffness in the hip may start.

Stage 3: The cartilage erosion starts to occur, and the gap between the hip bones decreases. Pain and swelling are caused after normal activities like walking, squatting, and kneeling.

Stage 4: This is the most severe stage of hip osteoarthritis. In this stage, the cartilage is almost gone. It results in chronic inflammation. In this stage, the person feels persistent pain and stiffness.