Over the years, you have done everything to protect your joints. However, despite your best efforts, you have recently noticed some stiffness in your hip bones. You may wonder if it is just stiffness or if it could be something more, such as an arthritic condition.
Thankfully, our highly trained team of experts at OrthoNeuro can help provide some clarity. Your stiffness may be an indication of arthritis of the hip.
For decades we have helped many find relief from their hip pain. Schedule an appointment at one of our offices in Columbus, OH today! In the meantime, this guide will teach you how to identify the signs of osteoarthritis.
Osteoarthritis is a type of arthritis that affects the bones and joints. It is a degenerative disease that occurs when the cartilage between your bones breaks down as you age. This gradual process can lead to pain, stiffness, and swelling in your joints.
While there are other forms of arthritis, such as rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, inflammatory arthritis, and systemic lupus erythematosus, osteoarthritis is the most common form.
The most common symptom of osteoarthritis is severe pain in your hip joint. This hip joint pain can be mild or severe and may come and go. Other symptoms of osteoarthritis include:
Every person will not experience the same symptoms of arthritis. Keeping track of your symptoms can help your specialist make an accurate diagnosis.
In general, osteoarthritis of the hip can interfere with your normal daily activity, making you feel weak. Keep in mind that cold weather can also affect your hip joints, sometimes causing the hip pain and stiffness you experience to feel worse.
Since osteoarthritis is a degenerative joint disease, it can gradually cause damage to your hip joint. Hip osteoarthritis is typically caused by wear and tear related to aging and tends to worsen over time.
Your hip joint is your body’s largest weight-bearing ball and socket joint. As the cartilage in your hip socket begins to wear down, the ball and socket can start to grind together, leading to pain, inflammation, and making it difficult to move.
There are several factors that can increase your risk of developing osteoarthritis, including:
Receiving an accurate diagnosis of your hip arthritis can expedite your pain relief process. To make an accurate diagnosis, your doctor will:
There is no cure for osteoarthritis, but there are treatments that can help to relieve the pain and improve joint function. If your hip arthritis is not severe, conservative treatments may be recommended. These include:
If you are experiencing severe hip pain, nonconservative measures may be required, such as:
At OrthoNeuro, we are dedicated to providing high-quality orthopedic care so that you can receive the pain relief that you deserve. Schedule an appointment at one of our offices in Greater Columbus today, or talk to your physician about getting a referral. We look forward to helping you feel your best again!
