Osteoarthritis of the Hip: Causes & Management in Bangalore

How is Osteoarthritis of the Hip Diagnosed?

Diagnosing osteoarthritis of the hip involves physical examination and other diagnostic tests such as imaging.

Physical Examination

This involves looking for:

• Tenderness around your hip
• Pain when pressure is applied in the hip region
• Your range of motion, both assisted and self-directed
• A grating sensation in the joint (crepitus) during movement 
• Problems with walking
• Signs of injury to the tendons, ligaments, and muscles surrounding the hip

Imaging Tests

X-rays may be used to get detailed pictures of dense structures like bones. If there is arthritis, the images show the narrowing of the joint space, formation of bone spurs (known as osteophytes), and several other changes in the bone. An MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) or a CT (computerized tomography) may be done to detect any abnormal conditions of the hip bone and soft tissues.

Treatment For Osteoarthritis of the Hip

Non-surgical Treatment

Following are the nonsurgical treatment methods for osteoarthritis of the hip:

Lifestyle medications: Certain lifestyle changes can slow the progression of osteoarthritis. These include minimizing high-impact activities such as running or climbing stairs and maintaining a healthy weight to lower the pressure on your joints.

Physical therapy: Along with the help of your doctor, you can start certain physiotherapy exercises to increase your range of motion and flexibility. This will also help give strength to your muscles in the hip and leg. The exercises will be guided by a physiotherapist and will be tailored to meet your specific needs.

Assistive devices: Using a cane, crutches or a walker can help improve mobility. Assistive aids such as a long-handled reacher can help avoid movements that cause pain. 

Medications: Over-the-counter pain relievers such as acetaminophen (paracetamol) or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like ibuprofen or naproxen can help alleviate pain and inflammation.

Surgical Treatment:

When non-surgical methods have proven to be ineffective, your surgeon might recommend surgery.

Total hip replacement (THR): THR is a surgical procedure in which the damaged parts of the hip joint are replaced with artificial implants (prostheses) made of metal, plastic, or ceramic. 

Hip resurfacing: Here the damaged surfaces of the hip joint are removed and replaced with metal in order to restore joint function. 

Osteotomy: Here the bones of the hip joint are realigned to redistribute weight and reduce stress.

The type of treatment chosen depends upon the severity of your symptoms, age, functional limitations, and other medical conditions if any.

Recovery and Outlook

Recovery after a hip replacement surgery can vary depending on your overall health, the extent of the joint damage, the type of hip surgery performed, and adherence to post-operative rehabilitation protocols.

• Physical therapy will begin soon after the surgery focusing on regaining mobility and strength.
• You will require assistance with your daily activities for the initial weeks after the surgery.
• Pain and discomfort will gradually decrease and you will be able to increase your activity levels slowly.
• Make sure that you avoid strenuous activities that may place excessive strain on the hip joint.
• Make sure that you attend all the scheduled follow-up appointments in order to keep track of your progress. Also, lead a healthy lifestyle to ensure the longevity of the implants.

Overall, hip replacement surgery can significantly improve mobility, reduce pain, and enhance quality of life for individuals with severe hip joint degeneration. 

Risks/Benefits of Surgery for Hip Osteoarthritis

Possible risks, as with any surgery, are:

• Infection
• Blood clots
• Excessive bleeding
• Limb length inequality
• Hip dislocation
• Damage to arteries or blood vessels

However, there are the following benefits of the surgery:

• Ability to again walk normally
• Better quality of sleep due to freedom from pain at night
• Better quality of life
• Improved mobility function
• Osteoarthritis hip pain relief (the biggest and most important advantage)