Degenerative Joint Disease of the Hip

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Degenerative Joint Disease of the Hip

Degenerative Joint Disease of the Hip

Definition

The cartilage of the hip helps the joint move efficiently and painlessly. However, this cartilage can wear away due to autoimmune disorders, infections, trauma, injury, or the natural aging process. Once the cartilage has worn away, there is nothing preventing the bones of the joint from rubbing against one another, causing pain, weakness, and limited mobility. This phenomenon is loosely called degenerative joint disease of the hip, or hip osteoarthritis.

Causes

There is currently no known cause of degenerative joint disease of the hip, which is also known as hip osteoarthritis. Regardless, there are many factors that lead to the development of this disease, specifically, inherited defects, being overweight, and activities that cause wear and tear to the hip joint over time. In some instances, patients may have sustained a previous injury that caused the joint to fuse together improperly. As a result, the cartilage began to wear away, causing pain that increased with activity and decreased with rest. After undergoing a thorough evaluation, a physician at Tulsa Pain Consultants can determine the plausible cause of the patient’s hip osteoarthritis.

Symptoms

As mentioned previously, the most common symptom associated with degenerative joint disease of the hip is pain around the affected area. Patients suffering from this condition may also experience pain that radiates toward the groin, buttocks, thigh or knee, as well as stiffness and difficulty walking. Severe cases of hip osteoarthritis may produce inflammation and redness around the hip joint. Patients should consult their Tulsa Pain physician about pain that lasts more than six weeks.

Treatments

Treatment for degenerative joint disease of the hip varies depending on the severity of the condition. Generally speaking, patients may benefit from conservative therapies alone, such as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications, splints, braces, and the modification of daily activities. However, moderate to severe instances of hip osteoarthritis may call for interventional and alternative therapies at Tulsa Pain, like prescription pain medications and cortisone injections. Serious cases may require minimally invasive surgery for complete relief.

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