Understanding Hip Arthritis and How to Find Pain Relief

Hip arthritis has a way of creeping up on you. One morning, you may notice your hip is a little stiff getting out of bed, but the feeling fades as you move around, so you forget about it. Time passes, and you may start to realize your hip hurts while sitting and watching TV or that stiffness in the joint has changed your gait. Your hip is signaling it needs your attention.

“The slow pace at which hip arthritis often develops can make you think it’s a natural part of aging and something you just have to put up with and compensate for,” says Dr. Vandit Sardana, a board-certified, fellowship-trained orthopedic surgeon at Beaufort Memorial Orthopaedic Specialists. “That’s not the case. There’s no reason to let arthritis-related hip pain erode your quality of life when we have so many options that can help. Total hip replacement is just one of them, and although it’s an excellent treatment for some, many patients find the pain relief they’re looking for from nonsurgical treatments.”

Read More: Why Your Hips Hurt: The Answer May Surprise You

Double Trouble: Two Main Types of Hip Arthritis

Two common causes of hip arthritis are osteoarthritis of the hip, the most common type of arthritis that affects the joint, and rheumatoid arthritis, an autoimmune disease.

Osteoarthritis of the Hip

The hip is a ball-and-socket joint that includes the femoral head (the ball), which sits in the acetabulum (socket). Cartilage covering those portions of bone helps them move against each other without causing you discomfort. With osteoarthritis, the cartilage wears away over time, which is why this disease was previously called “wear and tear” arthritis.

Several risk factors can increase your chances of developing osteoarthritis of the hip, including getting older, an unhealthy body weight, a history of hip osteoarthritis in your family or a previous hip injury.

Rheumatoid Arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis has a much different (and more definitive) cause: a dysfunctional immune system.

“Rheumatoid arthritis is a type of inflammatory arthritis, which occurs when the immune system mistakenly causes inflammation in joint tissues, leading to pain and stiffness,” Dr. Sardana says. “We’re not sure exactly why the immune system does this.”

Rheumatoid arthritis affects the synovium, a joint covering that produces a fluid necessary for healthy cartilage. When rheumatoid arthritis is present, the synovium makes a substance that damages cartilage instead of protecting it.

Read More: Want to Avoid a Hip Replacement? Follow These Tips for Healthy Hips

Pain Points: Where Arthritis Pain Occurs and What It Feels Like

While it may seem obvious that hip arthritis would cause hip pain, that’s not always the case. Pain may start in the hip, but you may feel it in other places.

With osteoarthritis, you may feel pain in your hip, groin or thigh. It may even spread to your buttocks or knee. Similarly, rheumatoid arthritis pain can affect the hip and knee, as well as the groin, outer thigh and buttocks.

Over time, both types of hip arthritis can limit your range of motion. Pain may be worse in the morning or when you exercise, and you may eventually develop a limp.

Osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis also have distinct symptoms. If you have osteoarthritis, you may experience:

• A grinding sound when you move
• Locking of the hip
• Worsening pain when it rains

Rheumatoid arthritis of the hip may cause:

• Extreme tiredness
• Fever
• Reduced appetite

Read More: Having a Total Hip Replacement? Here’s What to Expect

Nonsurgical Treatments for Hip Arthritis

Visiting an orthopedic specialist about hip arthritis symptoms as early as possible will generally help you find relief faster.

“Anytime you’re concerned about hip pain or stiffness, it’s appropriate to consult an orthopedic specialist or your primary care provider, who may refer you to a specialist,” Dr. Sardana says. “In particular, if arthritis symptoms interfere with your daily activities or lead you to give up hobbies or interests, I recommend seeing an orthopedic specialist. Seeking help before symptoms get to that point, however, may help you avoid or delay surgical treatment.”

To diagnose hip arthritis, your orthopedic specialist will ask about your medical history and perform a physical examination. Imaging, such as an X-ray or MRI scan, can help your specialist make a diagnosis by showing arthritis-related changes to the bones or soft tissues.

To manage your symptoms, your specialist will likely start by recommending nonsurgical treatments, such as:

• Assistive devices to help you walk with less discomfort
• Low-impact exercises that help you avoid pain triggers while still allowing you to keep your joints moving, depending on the progression of your arthritis
• Medications to reduce pain and inflammation and, for rheumatoid arthritis of the hip, help stop the immune system from fueling inflammation
• Physical therapy that can improve your range of motion and strengthen muscles in and around your hip
• Weight loss to relieve some of the pressure on your hip

Read More: Sun City Resident Enjoys Quick Recovery After Hip Replacement

Out With the Old and in With the New

Nonsurgical treatments are successful for many patients, but they aren’t effective for everyone. If hip pain persists after you’ve tried nonsurgical options, or the damage to your joint is severe, hip replacement may be right for you.

“Hip replacement is a big decision, which is why it’s best to seek out a dedicated joint replacement center that has the expertise and support you need,” Dr. Sardana says. “This surgery has come a long way. These days, surgeons can choose one of several approaches, some of which are minimally invasive and allow you to go home the same day. We can make an incision in the front or back of the hip, allowing us to spare important muscles and tissues and shorten your recovery time.”

In addition, with the help of the Mako SmartRobotics^TM system, your surgeon can use a 3D model of your hip to create a surgical plan that’s unique to you. Then, in the operating room, the robot helps guide them so they can place and align your new hip with precision, giving you a joint that feels like your own — and putting you on the path to a better quality of life.

Ready to explore your options for treating hip arthritis? Request an appointment with a Beaufort Memorial orthopedic specialist.