Arthritis of the Hip
Arthritis is a common disease with over 100 different types. The disease makes everyday tasks difficult because of limited motion and extensive pain. According to statistics, nearly 54 million people i.e. 23% of the residents suffer from arthritis in the United States alone. The problem seems to get more complicated every day. Stiffness and joint pain are some of the most common symptoms that people suffering from this problem deal with.
What Causes It?
Inflammatory arthritis usually happens because of an over-reactive immune system. The immune systems attack the healthy tissues in the body leading to this health complication. The problem is not limited to the bones only. Many people suffering from this problem tend to deal with eye, skin, and heart problems as well.
The most common type of hip arthritis is osteoarthritis, which we also call wear and tear arthritis. Patients dealing with this problem tend to experience damage to their cartilage over time which causes painful symptoms. While middle-aged people are most affected by the problem, its signs start showing as quickly as early adulthood.
Types of Arthritis of the Hip
Following are the kinds of arthritis that you might come across in most cases.
- Rheumatoid arthritis
- Ankylosing spondylitis
- Systemic lupus erythematosus
Rheumatoid Arthritis
In this kind of arthritis, the synovium tends to swell up and produces substances that attack the cartilage around the hip bone. This destruction causes the hip to lose its movement over time. You may experience this kind of arthritis over both sides of the hip on the same joint.
Ankylosing spondylitis
Ankylosing spondylitis usually affects the spine and the lower back. It causes stiffness and pain in the lower back which can also extend to the hip.
Systemic lupus erythematosus
Although Systemic lupus erythematosus can affect any part of the body, it usually affects the bone joints, skin, eyes, and the nervous system. You may see this disease in young women in most cases. People with Systemic lupus erythematosus tend to have a higher chance of osteonecrosis which weakens the body and the bone structure over time. This weakness is so severe that individuals end up dealing with disabling arthritis.
Although the actual cause of inflammatory arthritis of the hip is unknown, most shreds of evidence claim that it is because of genetics. People with a family history of arthritis have a higher chance of developing this problem over time.
Symptoms
Following are some of the most common symptoms that individuals deal with in most cases.
- Fatigue, fever loss of appetite
- Pain and stiffness
- Pain in the groin, outer thigh, and the buttocks
- Higher pain in the morning or after long periods of stiffness which slowly lessens with activity,
- Increased pain and stiffness with vigorous movement
- Pain in the joint causing limp or difficulty in walking.
What Can You Do About It?
 Diagnosis
The first thing to do if you are dealing with these symptoms is to visit a doctor. The doctor will help diagnose the problem better and come to a more precise result. The first step of this diagnosis is a physical exam.
Physical Exam
Physical exams include testing the joint mobility and the range of motion that individuals have. If the patient experiences increased pain , they might have arthritis. The doctor may also look into the reason for your limping or joint pain.
X-rays
X-rays are perhaps the best way to diagnose the problem. They help get a clearer image of the hip bone and check if it is thinning, eroding, or has a lack of fluid according to the structure of the bone. It also helps determine the intensity of the problem, so that the doctor can suggest things accordingly.
Blood Tests
Blood tests can also help determine whether someone has arthritis of the hip or not. Health professionals tend to look for a rheumatoid factor or an antibody that may cause the same problem. It is an indicator of inflammatory arthritis and can help doctors come to a better conclusion.
There are plenty of options for anyone who wants to get themselves checked for their hip arthritis. Once all these tests are complete, you will know for sure if you have arthritis or not. It is time to move forward with the treatment if your tests come out positive.
Treatment
There isn’t a clear solution to inflammatory arthritis. However, there are plenty of health professionals like rheumatologists, physical and occupational therapists, social workers, etc. You can also choose to go to rehabilitation specialists, orthopedic surgeons, they will all help you minimize the bone destruction and manage your new lifestyle according to the disease. The treatment is usually slow, so it is best to stay patient throughout it.
Non-Surgical Treatment Options
There are plenty of non-surgical treatment options for anyone who wants to ensure they deal with their inflammatory arthritis in the best way possible. Most patients tend to show progress with various treatments.
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).
One of the simplest methods to deal with arthritis pain is to use naproxen and ibuprofen. It may not treat the problem permanently, but it makes it easier to cover the symptoms. We do not recommend this as a long term usage or solution.
Corticosteroids
You can take Corticosteroids through injections, through the mouth, or apply them directly as a cream.; Depending on the kind of pain you have, it is one of the most potent ways to deal with the pain and helps fight inflammatory symptoms
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Disease-Modifying Antirheumatic Drugs (DMARDs)
DMARDs focus on fighting the overactive immune system, which causes inflammatory arthritis.
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Physical Therapy
Regular exercises can help reduce arthritis symptoms by decreasing stiffness and boosting the motion in joints.
Assistive Devices
Using canes, walkers and other assistive devices can help distribute the weight and assist in walking. It makes it easier for users to complete their daily tasks.
Surgical Treatments
There are plenty of surgical treatment options for anyone who does not get relief from their pain through non-surgical methods. The healthcare professionals may suggest surgeries for certain patients, depending on the following factors
- Their age
- Condition of the hip joint and bones
- Rate of the progress of arthritis
Hip replacement surgeries and synovectomy are the two most common surgical procedures that help fight the problem but can be dangerous and very invasive. Here at Konnect Relief we try to avoid surgeries at all costs.
Total Hip Replacement
Healthcare professionals tend to remove the damaged cartilage and replace it with metal or plastic parts to help replicate the hip movement. It is by far the easiest solution for the hip, ideal for patients with rheumatoid arthritis; to improve their range of motion and to reduce the amount of pain. The doctors remove the head of the socket and the femur then change it with an artificial part to help reduce the problem.
Synovectomy
This procedure includes removing the joint lining. It is ideal for people who do not have issues with their articular cartilage. The procedure helps with early stages of hip arthritis, which is why selected patients can opt for it. Following are some of the complications that patients may deal with in these surgical procedures
- Risk of Infection
- Excessive bleeding
- Possibility of blood clots
- Damaged blood vessels or arteries
- Bone Dislocation (during total hip replacement)
- Limb length inequality
All these risks exist, and although there have been big advancements in the surgical world, we recommend trying natural, holistic methods to deal with your pain. To learn more about how you too may get the pain relief you deserve look here. You just may be surprised at the new ways modern medicine may help you get back to doing the things you love doing. Learn more. Get the details here.
Sources
https://orthoinfo.aaos.org/en/diseases–conditions/osteoarthritis-of-the-hip/.
https://orthoinfo.aaos.org/en/diseases–conditions/inflammatory-arthritis-of-the-hip