Hip Arthritis

What Is Hip Arthritis?

Osteoarthritis in the hip joint can also be thought of as wear and tear. The term arthritis literally translates as joint (arth-) inflammation (-itis). It occurs when the smooth shiny cartilage that surrounds the end of the femur bone becomes worn down, leaving the bone surface exposed which can cause hip pain and inflammation in the joint. Arthritis is a condition that tends to creep up over time due to stress being placed on the joint. This process can occur earlier in life if the joint is placed under undue stress for any reason.

What Are The Early Signs Of Arthritis?

The early signs are usually stiffness and deep ache in the joint. For the hip this is usually felt towards the front and side of the hip joint. Most of the time the stiffness is worse after rest such as when you first get up in the morning or after you have been sitting for a while. The pain and stiffness will often ease as you get moving.

Can Arthritis Be Healed?

The breakdown of cartilage that causes arthritis will not reverse and heal as such. However, this does not mean that the pain and stiffness associated with arthritis cannot be significantly improved, and in many cases the hip can become symptom-free again. Numerous studies have shown that a significant portion of people whose hips are seen to have degenerative changes on MRI, do not have any symptoms of arthritis so a diagnosis of arthritis does not mean that nothing can be done. We treat many people at The Physiotherapy Place who have a diagnosis of arthritis and there is almost always an improvement in pain levels.

What Is The Best Treatment For Arthritis?

I always use hands-on manual therapy in order to get the joint range of motion improved and nourish the cartilage that is still in the hip joint. Releasing all tight muscles adjacent to the hip will reduce the pressure put on the joint to prevent further degeneration. Exercise is key in the management of arthritis so a specific program of stretches and strengthening will help to treat the problem along with low impact activities such as walking, cycling, and swimming.

What Exercise Can I Do For Hip Arthritis?

Low impact exercise is generally best for hip arthritis. This includes:

• walking

• cycling

• swimming

• pilates

• yoga

• stretching all of the muscles around the hip will maintain good range of motion

• strengthening the gluteal muscles will help to support the joint.

What To Avoid When You Have Hip Arthritis?

Try to avoid any movement or activity that causes pain in the hip. This may include:

• impact such as running or jumping

• fast twisting motions

• movements where the hip is compressed up towards the stomach

• sitting in one position for too long as this can cause the hip to seize up making it painful when you eventually move.

What Will A Physiotherapist Do?

A physiotherapist will assess the condition of the hip joint including the range of motion and the strength of the surrounding muscles. A combination of hands-on treatment and muscle release will reduce pain and improve movement of the joint and then a specific exercise program will be designed for you to strengthen the muscles and help you maintain a strong and healthy hip.