Hip Arthritis

Arthritis is a general term that describes a number of conditions that result from inflammation of a joint. There are several types of arthritis that affects the hip joint.

• Osteoarthritis is the most common form of hip arthritis and results from the wearing away of cartilage between the top of the thigh bone (femoral head) and the hip socket (acetabulum) causing the two bones to rub against each other and create friction on movement.
• Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease that causes swelling of the membrane lining of the joint (synovial membrane). The synovial membrane normally functions to increase cushioning and allow smooth movement between the femoral head and the acetabulum. The diseased synovial membrane caused by rheumatoid arthritis damages the cartilage lining the joint, and produces excess fluid in the joint leading to pain and poor movement.
• Post traumatic arthritis develops following injury or fracture to the hip joint and results in pain and stiffness of the joint.

• Hip pain – may be felt in hip, groin, buttock, thigh or knee
• Hip stiffness
• Decreased range of hip movement
• Swelling/inflammation

Osteoarthritis and post traumatic arthritis

Osteoarthritis is the most common type of arthritis. As we age, the chances of developing arthritis increases, though the severity of the disease is different for everyone. People in early stages of life can also develop osteoarthritis.

Osteoarthritis breaks down the cartilage in joints and can occur in almost any joint in the body, though it occurs most often in the hips, knees and spine. Cartilage is the cushion that covers the ends of bones in normal joints and helps provide protection so those bones don’t rub together. It also serves as a shock absorber as wear and tear occurs in the joints after years of use. The cartilage can also be damaged by injuries or fractures to the joints resulting in post traumatic arthritis.

Risk factors for developing hip osteoarthritis include:

• Being overweight
• Increasing age
• Previous hip fracture or injury
• Family history of osteoarthritis
• Repetitive stress on the joint through work or sport
• Genetic defects in cartilage or improper formation of the hip joint at birth

Rheumatoid arthritis

As rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease, the exact cause is not known however family history and environmental factors are thought to be risk factors to the disease developing.

If you are experiencing the symptoms listed above, you should consult your doctor. Your doctor will take a detailed history of your pain and other symptoms, and your family medical history. A physical examination will also be undertaken to assess your range of hip movement, level of joint stiffness and gait (walking).

If your doctor suspects hip arthritis is the cause of your symptoms, you will be referred for a hip x-ray. A magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan or computed tomography (CT) scan may also occasionally be required. If rheumatoid arthritis is suspected, your doctor may also do a blood test to look for autoimmune factors that will be present in the blood.