Hip arthritis is a term used to describe several conditions where the articular cartilage, which is the joint surface of the hip, wears out. When this happens, the bones in the joint can rub against each other, causing pain. This type of arthritis is usually related to age and is often caused by wear and tear, also known as osteoarthritis. Hip arthritis can also cause a shortening of the affected limb.
Although osteoarthritis is often considered a result of wear and tear, its exact cause remains unclear. However, several risk factors have been identified, including:
The primary symptoms of hip osteoarthritis include:
To diagnose hip osteoarthritis, your doctor will conduct a clinical examination and review your symptoms. X-rays are also used to evaluate the extent of any damage and determine the most appropriate treatment. The X-rays will reveal a narrowing of the space between the bones in your hip, indicating the degree of wear on your articular cartilage. If bone-on-bone contact is observed on the X-ray, joint replacement surgery may be necessary.
