Hip Arthritis And How To Treat It?

One of the most widespread conditions that cause chronic pain and disability is osteoarthritis. Commonly known as wear-and-tear arthritis can affect almost any joint in the body. It rarely affects patients under the age of 50. However, it occurs due to the joints wearing out over time. So, patients with it are typically older than 50.

The underlying anatomy of the disease

The hip is one of the most prevalent areas for osteoarthritis to develop. Hip joints are one of the largest joints, which explains why. Moreover, the acetabulum, also known as the socket and ball, and the femoral head also made this area. Therefore, hip arthritis surgery in Melbourne is very frequent.

Ordinarily, articular cartilage covers both the ball and the socket. It ensures a smooth, slick motion without any tearing of the bones that make up the joint. On the other hand, the synovium, the surface that prevents tearing, wears off over time. Further, lubrication decreases to the point where almost any of it originates.

So, once the disease has advanced enough as a result of the synovium’s failure to create synovial fluid, inflammations start to form. This is when you start experiencing arthritic symptoms for the first time. The pain is acceptable at first. But, as the disease worsens, even simple activities like walking can be very painful.

What are the causes of arthritis?

Osteoarthritis has no known cause. However, aging, family history, prior injuries, obesity, and incorrect hip joint development at birth are all risk factors that raise the likelihood of this condition. Besides, sometimes you can still develop the condition even if you do not have any of these higher factors.

Symptoms of arthritis

According to an orthopedic physician in Melbourne, the most common symptoms typically depend on the type of osteoarthritis. However, the most prevalent symptom of hip arthritis is pain. It can start in the groin or thigh and radiate to the buttocks or knee. The joint’s pain frequently worsens during physical activity involving it. Moreover, sometimes you can hear grinding noises as a result of the loose pieces of broken cartilage.

What to do if you have hip arthritis?

The first thing you should do is to visit your doctor for a checkup. Usually, there are just two distinct portions to an examination. The first is a physical examination. During this, the doctor will look for signs of muscle, ligament, or joint damage. Also, they will look for soreness around the hip, range of motion, and crepitus in the movement. Other checkups include pain when there is pressure or any issues when you walk.

If there is a suspicion of arthritis following a physical examination, doctors will direct you to get some X-rays of your hip joint. This will help doctors to identify any narrowing of the joint space. Also, they will be able to find out if there are any changes in the bone, and if bone spurs, also known as osteophytes, are forming on these x-rays.

What is the treatment?

The treatment can proceed in one of two ways: non-surgically or surgically. Typically, non-surgical treatment is for those patients who are in the early stages of the disease. Meanwhile, surgical treatment can wait. Simple lifestyle adjustments, physical therapy, assistive technologies, and pharmaceuticals are a few examples of non-surgical treatment options.

Surgery is the usual treatment option for patients who are unable to manage their pain through non-surgical means. Moreover, doctors medically treat arthritis by replacing the natural hip joint with an artificial one. The surgeon will take the left part of your natural joint and replace it with a prosthetic one. This is a fairly typical treatment.

However, like any surgery, there is a chance for some consequences. But, since it is so common, it is very unlikely that an infection will develop. Besides, blood clots will form, or blood vessels could damage.

Final word

You will need to go through some sort of recovery if you have surgery to replace your natural hip with an artificial one. So, if you follow the doctor’s instructions throughout recovery, your new artificial joint may end up being even better than the one you originally had. These instructions usually include following a strict diet and undertaking specific exercises.