When arthritis is severe, the pain with activities can linger even after the activity stops. Rest and avoiding the precipitating activity will improve the symptoms.Īs arthritis worsens, symptoms can become more persistent or more severe, such that simply walking on level ground can result in pain. ProgressionĮarly in the course of arthritis, symptoms can be intermittent, perhaps related only to particular activities or sustained activity. For many of these patients, this “acute” set of symptoms will result in the diagnosis of osteoarthritis. Many patients who experience a sudden flare-up will go to the doctor for care. It can however result in disturbing “flare ups ” with increased pain and stiffness. Osteoarthritis of the hip is not an emergency. This sometimes works itself out after a few steps. Some patients report 'start-up' pain – an especially bad discomfort upon standing after being seated for a prolonged period of time. The pain is generally worse with weight bearing activities (e.g., walking, standing, or twisting). The typical pain from hip arthritis is located in the groin thigh or buttock. When it becomes more advanced, joint deformities and leg-length differences can result. Hip joint pain and stiffness are the main symptoms of hip arthritis.

Hip Arthritis Image Galleryįigure 1 Figure 2 Figure 3 Figure 4 Figure 5 Figure 6 Symptoms of Hip Arthritis Initial symptoms Patients with severe arthritis sometimes can benefit from total hip replacement surgery ( See Figures 5 and 6). However, for patients with severe arthritis, the pain may not respond to those kinds of interventions. The symptoms of osteoarthritis can affect one’s ability to walk, work, and enjoy life.įor most patients who have mild arthritis, pain can be managed with ice, rest, activity modifications, pills, or joint injections. Osteoarthritis of the hip results in pain, stiffness, and joint deformity. If those interventions don’t work, hip replacement surgery often will relieve the pain associated with hip arthritis. While it is not “curable,” it most certainly is treatable using activity modifications, medications, and/or injections. Osteoarthritis is a chronic disease that can takes months to years to appear. Osteoarthritis is the most common of the more than 100 kinds of arthritis and the hip joint is the second most commonly affected large joint in the body. Osteoarthritis of the hip is a serious condition. When the bearing wears away, the result is a roughed joint surface that causes the pain and stiffness that people associate with osteoarthritis ( See Figures 1-4). Under normal conditions, the cartilage bearing is slicker than a hockey puck on ice. The cartilage normally serves as a “pad” or a bearing in the joint. Osteoarthritis occurs when the joint surface cartilage (also called hyaline cartilage or articular cartilage) becomes worn away leaving the raw bone beneath exposed. The most common type of hip arthritis is osteoarthritis, which some people call 'degenerative joint disease.' Many kinds of arthritis can affect the hip joint.

Hip osteoarthritis xray vs normal hip