Hip Arthritis

The hip is a ball-and-socket joint. The femur and the acetabulum head and a part of the pelvic girdle that meet together form it. The head of the femur is a large ball, and the acetabulum is a shallow socket. This design allows for greater mobility.

Articular cartilage with a smooth and shiny surface that allows the bones’ ends to slide freely over each other covers the bony joint surfaces of the head of the femur and acetabulum. This cartilage enables the joint to move smoothly.

Arthritis is the most common culprit behind hip pain that results in wearing, breakdown, or loss of articular cartilage. Osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, and traumatic arthritis are the three most common types of joint arthritis.

Osteoarthritis is the most common form of hip arthritis and is a gradual wearing down and degeneration of the joint surfaces or articular cartilage. This condition is most common in people over the age of 50, overweight people, and women. Osteoarthritis can affect any joint in your body. However, it most commonly occurs in your hips, knees, hands, and spine. Hip arthritis is a degenerative disease which means your symptoms will become worse over time as the cartilage continues to break down.

Individuals with hip arthritis will have different outcomes and prognoses depending on the severity of the joint degeneration, motion loss, weakness, and age. Because this is an irreversible condition, it must be well managed, especially in severe cases. Arthritis treatment aims to reduce joint inflammation, relieve hip pain, and prevent further inflammatory processes.

The progression of arthritis will be slowed, your pain will be reduced, and your range of motion in the affected joint will be increased if you seek treatment sooner rather than later. Bone spurs, osteonecrosis, and septic arthritis will develop if the disease is not treated.

Mild degeneration responds well to conservative treatment, which includes pain and inflammation medication as well as a stretching and strengthening program for the knee joint and surrounding muscles. In most cases, pain and function improve within 4 to 6 weeks

Patients with moderate degenerative changes tend to have more loss of motion, pain, weakness, and function. In some cases, we may recommend hip joint resurfacing. Recovery can take anywhere from 8 to 12 weeks, with the focus on reducing swelling and restoring range of motion, strength, and function.

Severe pain, stiffness, limited range of motion, and function are all symptoms of severe joint degeneration. X-rays may help indicate a loss of joint space and “bone-on-bone” contact, as well as cartilage erosion on the joint surfaces. In such cases, joint replacement is usually necessary. The artificial hip will differ from the natural joint after a joint replacement, causing some limitations in motion and function. A total joint replacement typically benefits a patient’s quality of life. Hip replacement recovery can take 3 to 4 months of intense physical therapy and rehabilitation. Improvements in function and appearance can last for up to a year after the procedure.

Our top-rated pain management doctors and best injury specialist in NJ provide pain relief and rehabilitation care. Our doctors cooperate with the top-rated hospitals in New Jersey, including RWJ Barnabas and Morristown Medical Center.