Hip Arthritis

When it comes to staying active, feeling your best is important. Painful conditions like arthritis, especially in a major joint like the hip, can be problematic and keep you from doing the things you love. Whether you’re a marathon runner or just enjoy walking your dog, we know you want to do these things without pain. The orthopedic hip experts at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center in Columbus, Ohio, can diagnose and help treat your arthritis so you can get back to being active.

What is hip arthritis?

Hip joints, located in each of your legs, are ball-and-socket joints that help your legs move. The socket is the acetabulum in your pelvis; the ball is located at the top of your thighbone. The hip joints are made up of these structures, including both bone and cartilage.

Over time, these tissues can break down. When the cartilage that lines the ball and socket break down, the two joints rub against each other, and it can lead to bone spurs (osteophytes). The bone spurs can further damage the ball-and-socket joint, ultimately leading to arthritis in the hip. Over time, this can cause pain and stiffness, making it difficult to use the joints.

What causes hip arthritis?

Hip arthritis can occur due to several reasons, including:

• General wear-and-tear or overuse of the hip joints, often occurs with age
• Autoimmune conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis
• Structural factors in the body, such as hip dysplasia or hip impingement
• Traumatic injury
• Family history of hip-related conditions
• Occupational and job-related activities

There are factors that can contribute to hip arthritis, but there isn’t usually a single cause for the condition.

Hip arthritis symptoms

The symptoms of arthritis in the hip will be different for each person. Symptoms commonly affect you more as you age. For some people, symptoms may be mild and for others, more intense.

Understanding the underlying reasons and recognizing the signs of hip arthritis early can help our experts at the Ohio State Wexner Medical Center treat your condition effectively.

The symptoms of hip arthritis may include:

• Pain and stiffness in the hip joint
• Pain in the front and/or side regions of the hip and groin
• Sometimes pain that radiates down the front of the thigh to the knee
• Pain that is a constant ache or throbbing, with intermittent, sharper pain, depending on activities and position, such as walking or sleeping
• Reduced range of motion in the hip, especially with rotating the hip or bending to pick up objects on the floor or change socks and shoes
• Mechanical sounds, such as popping, catching or grinding, when you move

Overall, hip arthritis can cause a range of symptoms from mild to severe, making daily activities challenging and painful. If you have any unusual symptoms that last, it’s important to see your doctor.

What does hip arthritis feel like?

Arthritis of the hip will feel different for each person and will be dependent on several factors.

Some people may have constant pain while others may not. It may be dull, throbbing or aching. Your pain may be aggravated by certain activities, such as exercise or sleep. You may have limited mobility or find yourself unable to walk or stand for long periods. You may hear clicking or popping in the joint.

Your pain level will also depend on your tolerance and the severity of the condition. Therefore, you should tell your doctor if you’re noticing any significant changes in your hip pain. They can refer you to our hip specialists.

How is hip arthritis diagnosed?

If you’re experiencing issues with hip pain or other symptoms, it’s important to let your doctor know so that they can accurately diagnose the issue.

Here at the Ohio State Wexner Medical Center, diagnosing hip arthritis starts with our sports medicine experts gathering your detailed medical history. They’ll perform a physical examination and will gather a list of reported symptoms. Our providers will understand what types of activities and motions seem to provoke more pain.

Our providers likely will order diagnostic imaging to better understand your specific condition. X-rays are usually part of the initial evaluation to help form a diagnosis and rule out other significant problems. This image includes a view of the whole pelvis and the affected hip. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) may be used for better visualization of muscles, tendons, ligaments and cartilage, but in most cases, X-rays are sufficient. Your doctors will let you know what tests will work best for your needs.

How is hip arthritis treated?

Treatment of hip arthritis will be dependent on the severity of your condition and other factors. Hip arthritis can be treated with nonsurgical or surgical methods.

Treatment for hip arthritis without surgery may include:

• Strengthening the hip and range of motion with physical therapy, potentially including water-based therapy
• Anti-inflammatory medications, either over-the-counter or prescription
• Injections, including steroid (cortisone) injections and platelet-rich plasma injections
• Lifestyle changes, such as weight loss and exercise
• Activity modification, including the use of assistive devices such as a cane

For surgical treatment, this typically requires hip replacement. Hip replacement surgery typically involves removing the arthritic surfaces of the hip (both ball and socket) and replacing them with artificial parts made of metal ceramic or plastic. Hip replacement surgery can help people move more easily and do daily activities with less pain. Your doctor will discuss treatment options specific to your condition.