Hip is one of the joints in the lower limb which is of the ball and socket variety. The primary functions of the hip are weight transmission and providing stability to the whole body due to the attachments of important muscles. Arthritis is inflammation of the joint and results in the loss of smooth cartilage covering of any joint.
In the hip joint the main symptoms of hip arthritis are
Pain in the front and back of groin
Radiation of the pain in the front of the thigh till the outer part of knee
Restricted movements
Difficulty to sit cross legged and squat
Limp while walking.
Causes
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA)
Juvenile arthritis
Ankylosing Spondylitis
Lupus.
Gout.
Psoriatic arthritis
Infectious arthritis.
Osteonecrosis.
Diagnosis
If you notice any of the symptoms, you should get yourself examined from your orthopaedic surgeon. The diagnosis can usually be achieved by clinical examination and digital radiographs.
Early stages of arthritis may be difficult to Pick up on radiographs and may need some additional investigations like MRI etc.
Management
The final tretament of hoip arthritis can be multi-faceted. It includes –
Medication and treatment of the primary cause of hip arthritis.
Visco-supplementation of the hip joint
Supportive medications for the cartilage.
Total hip replacement – In advanced cases
