Osteoarthritis of the Hip

Find out if your hip pain and stiffness could be the result of joint inflammation.

If you have osteoarthritis this condition leads to inflammation that damages and causes deterioration to the cartilage. As this cartilage breaks down this results in pain, stiffness and swelling. Over time, osteoarthritis can also cause the affected joint to become deformed. If you are having hip pain or trouble walking it’s time to turn to our Manassas and Haymarket, VA, orthopaedic surgeons for care.

What causes osteoarthritis?

While the cause of this chronic condition is currently unknown we do know that there are certain factors that could increase your risk for developing osteoarthritis. These factors include being obese or overweight, joint injuries or advanced age.

What are the symptoms of hip osteoarthritis?

So, how do you know that the pain you experience in your hip is due to arthritis or something else? Here are some telltale signs that you may be developing osteoarthritis,

• Pain or tenderness in the hip joint
• Stiffness that is made worse by inactivity or upon getting out of bed
• A crunching or cracking sound
• Limited range of motion or trouble performing certain activities

If you are experiencing any of these symptoms it’s important to find out if it could be osteoarthritis. By seeking treatment from our Manassas and Haymarket, VA, orthopaedic surgeons early on we can help manage your symptoms and prevent long-term and serious damage to the joints.

What are my treatment options?

The goal, whenever possible, is to prevent the need for surgery. In order to do this we will need to create a customized treatment plan that will cater to the type and severity of your symptoms, as well as your lifestyle. Treatments should reduce joint pain and other symptoms while slowing the advancement of your arthritis and improving your quality of life. Common treatment options for hip osteoarthritis include:

• Maintaining a healthy weight or losing excess weight
• Getting regular exercise
• Taking over-the-counter pain relievers and anti-inflammatory medications
• Using a cane to take weight and pressure off the hip
• Proper rest
• Alternative therapies (e.g. massage therapy; acupuncture)

If the hip joint is damaged severely or if you aren’t experiencing relief from these treatment options then we will talk to you about whether surgery is necessary. Surgery often includes hip resurfacing, which is designed to replace part for the hip joint to prevent the need for a full hip replacement.

The hip joint works like a ball-and-socket, and if the ball of the hip joint is damaged then hip replacement surgery will most likely be the best option for repairing the damage.

If you have questions about managing your osteoarthritis in Manassas or Haymarket, VA, call Northern Virginia Orthopaedic surgeons at (703) 369-9070.