Any joint in your body is susceptible for arthritis, the most common type of which osteoarthritis – the wearing down of the joint due to years of wear and tear. And when it comes to wear and tear, one of the most vulnerable joints is the hip. Depending on the type of arthritis you have, expect the pain and discomfort in your hip to get progressively worse over time. With osteoarthritis, the cartilage that lines the joints wears away over time, restricting the blood flow inside the joint. As the joint becomes more damaged, the pain and reduced range of motion can become unbearable. That’s why it’s important to know the first signs of arthritis in your hip. Knowing what to look for will ensure you seek the right treatment so you can minimize pain and discomfort, and work towards develop a long-term treatment plan with your medical professionals.
Initial Signs
What you may consider common aches and creakiness that come with time or age may in fact be the first signs of osteoarthritis. With osteoarthritis, pain and stiffness can be commonplace when performing even the simplest tasks, to include getting in or out of your car, standing up, or bending over. Stiffness may be worse in the morning; this is referred to as start-up pain. With osteoarthritis, look for –
- Pain that starts in the groin area and radiates to your buttocks and thighs
- Pain and stiffness that gets worse with activity or after periods of inactivity, such as sitting or sleeping
- A locking or sticking sensation felt within the hip joints
- A decreased range of motion
- Worsening joint pain in cold or rainy weather
Conservative Care Methods
In the earliest stages of arthritis, you may only experience pain while performing certain activities. Modification or avoidance of these activities can reduce pain. However, because many of these activities or actions are unavoidable, the pain may be omnipresent. Over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medications, moist heat packs, warm baths and physical therapy can be effective in the early stages of osteoarthritis to relieve discomfort; however, these remedies may start to lose their effectiveness as the conditions progresses. Over time you may sense a “bone on bone” grinding. In many cases, doctors will recommend regenerative medicine, which includes platelet-rich plasma (PRP) and stem cell therapies to help revitalize the joint area.
Next Steps
When the pain becomes too much and has started to impact your quality of life, it may be time to consider next-step treatments that may include surgical interventions. Hip replacement surgery is the most common advanced treatment option for osteoarthritis in the hip. Also known as hip arthroplasty, this procedure results in the replacement of the damaged hip joint with a fully functional artificial joint that will allow you to move your hips without pain, as well as with increased flexibility and more complete range of motion.
Hip Arthritis Diagnosis and Treatment in Palm Beaches, Florida
At Personalized Orthopedics of the Palm Beaches, our board-certified and fellowship-trained orthopedic doctors and expert physical therapists provide the best orthopedic, sports medicine, rehabilitative and spine care available. Whether it’s treating a sports injury or general orthopedics, we employ the latest techniques, both non-operatively and operatively, to ensure our patients have the most successful outcomes. If you believe you are in the early stages of arthritis, we will work with you to develop a treatment plan to keep you active and pain free as long as possible. To schedule a consultation, call Personalized Orthopedics of the Palm Beaches today at (561) 733-5888 or request an appointment online now. We are conveniently located in Boynton Beach.
