Hip osteoarthritis, commonly known as hip arthritis, is a degenerative joint disease that affects the hip joint. The hip is a ball and socket joint. The socket is the part of the hip bone called the acetabulum, and the head of the femur is the ball. Articular cartilage covers both the ball and the socket and functions to reduce friction for smooth joint movement. Osteoarthritis is the most common form of arthritis and occurs when the protective cartilage that cushions the ends of the bones wears down over time.
The exact cause of hip osteoarthritis can vary, but it is often associated with factors like aging, genetics, previous joint injuries or pathology, obesity, and mechanical stress on the hip joint.
Physical Exam
A comprehensive physical exam will be conducted by Dr. Bryan Penalosa to assess the range of motion in your hip joint, look for signs of inflammation or swelling, and feel for areas of tenderness or crepitus (grating or grinding sensations). Your gait (the way you walk) will also be evaluated to identify any abnormalities.
Imaging
Diagnostic imaging is necessary to definitively diagnose hip osteoarthritis. X-rays will reveal joint space narrowing, the presence of bone spurs, and the extent of cartilage damage.
Hip Injection
An intra-articular hip injection can help confirm the diagnosis of hip osteoarthritis. This injection will be performed in the office at the time of your visit under ultrasound guidance. If the majority of your pain goes away, even temporarily, following the injection, it confirms that the source of the pain is due to intra-articular hip pathology.
Some people live active lives, never knowing they have hip osteoarthritis and don’t have any hip pain. When hip arthritis symptoms develop, patients can choose to treat either the symptoms or treat the structure and symptoms. Conservative treatment treats only the symptoms of hip arthritis.
Non-operative treatment of hip osteoarthritis involves a change in activities to avoid movements that cause hip pain, including taking time off from activities that cause hip pain, using over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medications to reduce pain and inflammation, and physical therapy. Typically, symptoms will resolve within several weeks of conservative, non-surgical treatment. An injection of a steroid, hyaluronic acid (gel injection), or PRP can also help relieve hip pain. If your hip pain is resolved with non-operative treatment and you are able to return to your desired level of activity, then no joint replacement surgery is needed.
When nonsurgical hip arthritis treatments do not relieve hip pain and imaging confirms hip osteoarthritis, it is reasonable to consider the more definitive treatment option of surgery. Surgery for hip osteoarthritis is a hip replacement surgery, otherwise known as a total hip arthroplasty. A joint replacement surgeon will need to be consulted to further discuss a hip replacement. Since Dr. Bryan Penalosa does not perform hip replacements, he can provide you with a referral to a joint replacement surgeon he knows well and who performs over 1,000 hip replacements in a year. When consulting with a joint replacement surgeon, you will learn more about the surgical procedure of a hip replacement and the rehabilitation and recovery timeline. You will also have the opportunity to discuss any additional questions or concerns you may have regarding a hip replacement.
It is essential to seek medical attention if you suspect you have hip osteoarthritis or are experiencing hip pain and reduced mobility. Early diagnosis and appropriate management can help improve your quality of life and prevent the condition from worsening.
