What is Hip Arthritis?
The hip is a ball-and-socket joint. The socket is formed by the acetabulum, which is part of the large pelvis bone. The ball is the femoral head, which is the upper end of the thighbone (femur). The bone surfaces of the ball and socket are covered with articular cartilage, a smooth tissue that cushions the ends of the bones. Hip arthritis occurs when this cartilage wears down, leading to pain and stiffness.
Symptoms
The most common symptom of hip arthritis is pain around the hip joint. Other indicators include:
- Groin Pain: Pain is often felt in the groin area or thigh, sometimes radiating to the buttocks or knee.
- Stiffness: Difficulty putting on shoes or socks due to loss of range of motion.
- Limping: Walking may become painful, leading to a noticeable limp.
- Inactivity Pain: Pain that flares up after vigorous activity or after sitting for a prolonged period.
Our Treatment Approach
Early diagnosis allows for a wider range of non-surgical treatment options to manage symptoms.
Non-Surgical Treatments
Treatment plans may include lifestyle modifications (minimizing high-impact activities), physical therapy to improve range of motion, assistive devices (like a cane), and anti-inflammatory medications.
Surgical Treatments
When hip pain interferes with daily activities and non-surgical treatments haven't helped, Dr. Behrens may recommend surgery.
- Total Hip Replacement: This is one of the most successful surgeries in all of medicine. The damaged bone and cartilage are removed and replaced with prosthetic components. Dr. Behrens uses minimally invasive approaches when appropriate to spare muscle and speed up recovery.