Hip Osteoarthritis
What is hip osteoarthritis?
Hip osteoarthritis, commonly known as hip arthritis, is a degenerative joint disease that affects the hip joint. The hip is a ball and socket joint. The socket is the part of the hip bone called the acetabulum, and the head of the femur is the ball. Articular cartilage covers both the ball and the socket and functions to reduce friction for smooth joint movement. Osteoarthritis is the most common form of arthritis and occurs when the protective cartilage that cushions the ends of the bones wears down over time.
The exact cause of hip osteoarthritis can vary, but it is often associated with factors like aging, genetics, previous joint injuries or pathology, obesity, and mechanical stress on the hip joint.
- Joint Pain: Hip osteoarthritis typically causes pain in the hip joint. The pain may be felt in the groin, buttock, or thigh and can range from mild to severe. It often worsens with activity and improves with rest.
- Stiffness: People with hip OA may experience stiffness in the hip joint, making it difficult to move the hip through its full range of motion.
- Reduced Range of Motion: As the condition progresses, the range of motion in the hip joint may become limited, making it challenging to perform activities like walking, bending, or climbing stairs.
- Crepitus: Some people with hip OA may notice a grinding or grating sensation in the hip joint, which is known as crepitus.
- Decreased Function: Hip osteoarthritis can affect a person’s ability to perform daily activities and participate in physical activities.
- Muscle Weakness: The muscles around the hip joint may become weakened due to pain and reduced activity.
- Bone Spurs: Over time, the body may respond to the damage in the joint by forming bony growths or bone spurs at the edges of the joint.
Physical Exam
A comprehensive physical exam will be conducted to assess the range of motion in your hip joint, look for signs of inflammation or swelling, and feel for areas of tenderness or crepitus (grating or grinding sensations). Your gait (the way you walk) will also be evaluated to identify any abnormalities.
Imaging
Diagnostic imaging is necessary to definitively diagnose hip osteoarthritis. X-rays will reveal joint space narrowing, the presence of bone spurs, and the extent of cartilage damage.
Hip Injection
An intra-articular hip injection can help to confirm the diagnosis of hip osteoarthritis. This injection will be performed in the office at the time of your office visit under ultrasound guidance. If the majority of your pain goes away, even temporarily, following the injection, then it confirms that the source of the pain is due to intra-articular hip pathology.
At a Glance
Dr. Jorge Chahla
- Triple fellowship-trained sports medicine surgeon
- Performs over 700 surgeries per year
- Assistant professor of orthopedic surgery at Rush University
- Learn more
