Hip Arthritis Symptoms, Diagnosis & Treatment in New Haven

What Is Hip Arthritis?

Hip arthritis is inflammation of the hip joint, which is caused when the cartilage that surrounds the bones in the hip joint is worn down. This causes the bones in the joint to begin rubbing together, causing inflammation and pain. Cartilage may deteriorate due to normal wear and tear over time, or it may result from a specific injury, or an inflammatory disease such as rheumatoid arthritis. The most common form of hip arthritis is hip osteoarthritis (OA), which affects millions of people in the US. This causes hip pain and can lead to loss of hip function if left untreated.

Causes Of Hip Arthritis

Hip arthritis can occur as the result of various causes, including the following:

• Normal wear and tear over time
• A traumatic hip injury
• Excessive stress on the hip joint
• Participating in sports or activities that place stress on the hip
• Improper development of the hip joint
• Genetic defects in cartilage

Types Of Hip Arthritis

There are various types of arthritis that can affect the hip:

• Osteoarthritis of the hip is known as the “wear and tear” arthritis, and develops gradually over time. It tends to cause pain later in life, after years of joint damage.
• Rheumatoid arthritis of the hip is an autoimmune disease that causes a person’s immune system to attack the tissues in the hip joint, causing damage over time.
• Psoriatic arthritis of the hip is a certain form of arthritis that stems from psoriatic skin disease. Those with the skin condition sometimes also suffer from damage to the hip joint.
• Post traumatic arthritis of the hip occurs as a result of a previous injury or trauma to the hip joint, which resurfaces later in life as arthritis.

Hip Arthritis Symptoms

If you are suffering from any of the below signs and symptoms of hip arthritis, it is important to visit your doctor for an evaluation:

• Pain or inflammation in the hip joint
• Stiffness after prolonged sitting or when waking in the morning
• Sound or feeling of “crunching” in the joint
• Aching or dull pain in the thigh, groin or knee
• Difficulty bending over or touching your toes

Risk Factors For Developing Hip Arthritis

Hip arthritis can occur in anyone, but there are certain risk factors that put some people at a greater risk of developing the joint disease. Any of the following factors tend to increase the chances of developing hip arthritis, and can accelerate the condition in those who already have it:

• Being older in age
• Being overweight or obese
• Participating in high-impact sports
• Having structural problems in the hip joint
• Suffering past joint trauma in the hip

Diagnosing Hip Arthritis

If you believe you may be suffering from hip arthritis, it is important to visit a physician who can perform an evaluation to determine the underlying cause of your symptoms. Dr. Lee Rubin is an orthopedic hip specialist who has an extensive background performing advanced, minimally invasive hip surgeries as well as evaluating and diagnosing hip arthritis.

While there is no specific hip arthritis test, your doctor may use an imaging test, such as a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) test or x-rays, paired with a physical evaluation, to determine whether you’re suffering from joint damage and to make an accurate diagnosis.

Hip Arthritis Treatment Options

Hip arthritis can be treated conservatively in some cases, using non-surgical treatments that may include:

• Rest
• Pain and anti-inflammatory medications
• Joint injections
• Physical therapy
• Low-impact exercises
• Weight loss

When conservative treatments fail or the condition is severe, Dr. Rubin may recommend one of the following hip surgeries to restore function and ease your joint pain:

• Total hip replacement
• Direct anterior approach total hip replacement
• Partial hip replacement
• Revision hip replacement

If you’re suffering from hip arthritis, the first step to feeling better is scheduling an evaluation with Dr. Lee Rubin, an expert in joint replacement surgery. To request an appointment, call (203) 785-2579 or fill out the form on this page.