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Treating Hip Arthritis

Hip Arthritis Symptoms for Cary, Garner, Raleigh, Chapel Hill and Triangle Patients

The hip joint is lined with a smooth surface called articular cartilage. This lining promotes smooth pain free range of motion. Arthritis occurs as a degeneration or gradual thinning and wearing away of this lining which results in the bony ends comprising the joint surfaces to rub on each another rather than the separating articular cartilage. The two most common forms of this condition are osteoarthritis and inflammatory arthritis such as rheumatoid.

What Are The Causes Of Orthopaedic Conditions Such as Inflammatory Arthritis Of The Hip?

The particular condition known as Osteoarthritis is very common. The specific cause is unknown but normally occurs from general wear and tear and aging, or it may result from a number of traumatic or mechanical conditions such as trauma, childhood hip disorders such as a hip dysplasia, avascular necrosis (lack of blood supply), obesity, infection, and diseases of bone and connective tissue.

Inflammatory arthritis of the hip, also known as hip disease, such as rheumatoid, is an immune disorder in which inflammation of the synovial lining of the joint occurs and this inflammation releases chemicals or harmful enzymes into the joint resulting in damage to the lining. It is also known as hip disease.

How Do I Recognize The Symptoms of Orthopaedic Conditions Such as Inflammatory Arthritis Of The Hip?

The patient usually reports pain or aching in the groin or buttock region.

Gradually increasing functional limitations such as stiffness with difficulty getting shoes and socks on and off or weakness getting out of chair.

Limping and gradual limitation of walking due to pain or fatigue.

How Does My Raleigh-Durham Physician Diagnose This Problem?

As with most other orthopaedic problems, osteoarthritis is diagnosed on history, physical examination and X-ray.

The physical examination will reveal moderate limitation of hip mobility, especially in moderate to advanced cases along with pain on moving the joint.

Review of X-Rays will reveal joint space narrowing and possibly deformity of the bones at the joint articulation as well as new bone formation (osteophytes, or "bone spurs").

Blood tests are useful in inflammatory arthritis of the hip.

What Type Of Treatment Options Do I Consider for Treating Hip Arthritis?

• Conservative / nonoperative treatment
• Analgesic modalities such as moist heat
• Non-steroidal antiinflammatories as prescribed your doctor
• Use of an ambulation device such as a cane to relieve pressure off the affected side
• Weight loss as necessary
• Physical therapy guidance for instruction in maintenance of cardiac fitness and muscle strength and flexibility
• Inflammatory arthritis medications as prescribed by your physician

What About Arthritis Hip Surgery in Cary, Garner, Raleigh, Chapel Hill and the Triangle?

The most common arthritis hip surgery intervention to address hip arthritis involves a total hip arthroplasty or replacement. Please refer to the section of this web site that describes the Total Hip Replacement Surgical Procedure.

Top Ten Things To Do For Arthritis

For more information on how the inflammatory arthritis of the hip specialists at Cary Orthopaedics can help you, contact us today at 919-467-4992 for an appointment!

Cary Orthopaedics serves patients from Raleigh, Garner, Cary, Apex, Holly Springs, Fuquay-Varina, Clayton, Chapel Hill, and Pittsboro, NC