Is Your Hip Pain Caused By Arthritis?
There are several diseases that can cause swelling, stiffness, and pain in the hips. So how do you know when your hip pain is caused by arthritis? Like lower back issues, the reason behind your hip pain can be hard to pinpoint.
How to Know If Your Hip Pain is Arthritis
There are two main types of arthritis that can affect the hip joint. These are:
Osteoarthritis: Osteoarthritis occurs when the protective lining at the end of the bones (cartilage) begins to wear away. This causes bone to rub on bone, which causes friction and inflammation.
Rheumatoid Arthritis: This is a chronic inflammatory disease where the body attacks its own tissue found in joints. What starts as painful swelling eventually results in bone loss and joint deformity.
Regardless of which arthritis is impacting you, the symptoms will be roughly the same and can include:
Hip joint pain, which includes the areas of the buttocks, outer thigh, and groin
Stiffness or limited range of motion that leads to difficulty walking
Increased pain after exercise
Pain and stiffness in the morning that lessens throughout the day
One of the unique symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis is weakness and fatigue. However, people with both types of hip arthritis can either experience symptoms as “flare-ups” or constant, stable conditions.
How to Treat Hip Pain Caused Arthritis
Hip arthritis is a degenerative disease, meaning there is no cure and symptoms will progress over time. That doesn’t mean you have to live with your hip pain! If the condition is diagnosed early, conservative treatment is available to help you maintain your active lifestyle.
Dr. Cafferky and his team typically recommend the following non-surgical treatment options for treating hip arthritis:
Weight Loss: Weight loss doesn’t have to be dramatic to be effective. A five-pound loss of weight is equal to about twenty pounds of pressure on the hip joints.
Physical Therapy: Professional physical therapy can help manage pain while improving your mobility and strength.
Medication: Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (known as NSAIDs), such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen, can help manage pain and swelling caused by arthritis.
Injections: Steroid injections can provide almost instant relief to hip pain caused by arthritis. This treatment, while effective, is not sustainable in the long-term.
If conservative treatment options do not improve your quality of time, Dr. Cafferky may recommend a total hip replacement. This is where he and his team replace the damaged cartilage and bone with an implant. A total hip replacement is one of the most successful surgical procedures performed, with the majority of patients reporting relief from their hip pain within the first few months or weeks after their procedure.
Hip Pain Treatment In Frisco and Vail
If you’re ready to get back to the activities you love, contact Team Cafferky today! Dr. Cafferky and his dedicated team will work with you to diagnose the cause of your hip pain and recommend a treatment plan that’s right for your lifestyle.
Contact our offices at (970) 476-1100 or request a consultation using our online form.
