Exercise, weight loss, and medication are the three most important treatment options for hip osteoarthritis. Eating a balanced diet of foods high in calcium, vitamin D, omega-3 fatty acids, and antioxidants and quitting smoking both protect hips from osteoarthritis. The most common symptom of hip osteoarthritis is pain, but it can also affect your balance, your ability to walk, and your hip’s function.
It is important to keep moving around, even to a limited degree. A physical therapist can design a stretching and strengthening program for people who have osteoarthritis of the hip. Exercise helps to stabilize the hip and straighten the thigh, which relieves pressure on the knee joint.
There are many treatments and alternatives for hip arthritis. Some treatments are temporary and ease the pain associated with arthritis. Other long-term treatments have the goal of slowing the progression of the disease.
Hip osteoarthritis means
Hip osteoarthritis means that the surface cartilage that covers the femoral head can wear thin, causing a popping sensation or “snapping” sensation while you move. Over time, this cartilage can wear away, causing the ball of the hip bone to rub against the socket. The inflammation of the tissue surrounding the hip joint can cause pain.
Osteoarthritis is the most common type of arthritis. It is caused by a breakdown of cartilage in the joints, leading to pain, swelling, stiffness, and reduced mobility. As people get older, their cartilage naturally degrades, and osteoarthritis may set in. It’s more common in women, and the risk increases with age. There is no cure for osteoarthritis, but treatment can help relieve pain and maintain mobility.
Hip osteoarthritis is the process where the cartilage in your hip begins to break down, resulting in pain, weakness, and stiffness. The breakdown of cartilage in your hip is gradual and painless until it becomes advanced. The condition can be treated with physical therapy, medication, injections, and surgery.
How to Treat Hip Osteoarthritis?
People with hip osteoarthritis may opt for surgery or non-operative treatment. For people with hip osteoarthritis who have mild mobility problems, nonsurgical treatment may be an option. Non-operative treatment includes weight loss, activity modification, and certain medications. For moderate-to-severe hip osteoarthritis, surgery may be an option. Surgery options include hip resurfacing and hip replacement. Recovery times vary and depend on the level of osteoarthritis and the type of surgery performed.
The following are the effective ways to treat Hip Osteoarthritis.
- Pain Medications – The most common medications are nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), which reduce inflammation. They are often used along with other medications and lifestyle changes. Anti-inflammatory drugs, such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), indomethacin (Indocin), and naproxen sodium (Aleve), are usually the first medication tried for arthritis in the hip.
- Physical Therapy – Physical therapy is the appropriate treatment for mild to moderate hip Osteoarthritis. Hip Osteoarthritis or OA is a degenerative condition that causes the cartilage that cushions the joint between the hip and thigh to break down. If left untreated, hip OA can progress to severe arthritis and cause loss of mobility and pain. More than 50% of people with hip OA experience pain, and 80% experience restrictions in daily activities. Physical therapy is a safe and effective treatment for mild to moderate hip Osteoarthritis. It is important not to overdo the exercises. They should be done slowly without pain.
- Surgery – Surgery may be a viable option for patients that suffer from hip osteoarthritis. Since it is only recommended for patients that: have no other options, have hip impingement, score less than 40 on the Harris Hip Score, score less than 55 on the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index, and score less than 70 on the Short Form-36, it’s important for doctors to do a full assessment before performing surgery.
- Exercising and Stretching – According to some studies, people who exercise regularly may improve their hip function. Hence, you should exercise daily and stretch your hip muscles regularly. Interestingly, other studies suggest that stretching alone may not improve your hip function. Hence, you need to consult your doctor before you stretch or exercise.
Treatment for Hip Osteoarthritis
Hip replacement surgery can give people with hip arthritis relief, but it should not be done without careful medical evaluation and planning. The surgery requires an incision, so there are risks. People need to have realistic expectations. Just like being overweight, arthritis does not have to go away. But hip replacement surgery can improve a person’s quality of life and may reduce pain and disability.
Hip osteoarthritis is a common and costly source of disability. Treatment options may range from lifestyle modifications, such as weight loss or exercise, to prescription medications that control pain and inflammation. New treatments, such as surgical implantation of metallic or biological materials, are currently undergoing clinical trials. If you’re looking for additional treatment options for Hip Osteoarthritis, you can check out clinical trials for osteoarthritis at Power.
Hip arthritis is a common health problem among the elderly. It occurs when the cartilage in the hip starts to wear away, making the bones rub against each other. Symptoms include pain. A variety of treatments are used to treat hip arthritis, which can include exercise, physical therapy, medications, and injections. Most cases of hip arthritis require surgery. If the condition is mild, it can treat with nonsurgical methods. Surgery is curative in some cases.