Osteoarthritis of the hip, or more commonly known as a worn out hip, is common in the elderly. Not surprising that a hip wears, after all, the joint has to absorb quite a few shocks in a human life. But what are the symptoms of a worn out hip, osteoarthritis, and can anything be done about it?
Ball joint
The hip joint consists of a acetabulum and a head and is located between the pelvis and thigh. It is a ball joint that allows it to move in almost any direction. The ends of the hip joint are covered with cartilage for smooth movement. A healthy hip can move without causing pain and can easily absorb the ‘blows’ it receives from walking or running and climbing stairs.
Causes
But as the years pass, life also leaves its marks on our joints and the cartilage can be affected. Cartilage has less blood circulation, so it can hardly repair itself. Complaints can arise due to the decrease or damage of the cartilage. This decrease is also called osteoarthritis. More than a million Dutch people suffer from this to a greater or lesser extent. Most of them are women. Wear and tear can also be caused by, among other things, a congenital defect, an abnormal position of the legs (bow legs), rheumatism or long-term overload of the joint due to heavy physical work.
Cartilage
When the wear really continues, not only can damage the cartilage in the joint, but also inflammation of the joint capsule. The pain that one feels with a worn hip is not due to the lack of cartilage, but because it has now affected other parts of the hip.
Symptoms:
- Groin pain (this pain may radiate to the buttock and / or knee)
- Stiffness in the joint
- Limited in the movement of the joint
- Creaking noise in the hip
- Pain on the side of the hip
- Loss of muscle strength, especially in the thigh
- waking up at night in pain
- Wear does not necessarily mean that the hip needs to be replaced
Determine
Actually diagnosing osteoarthritis in the hip is not easy. An X-ray gives a certain picture, but can deviate. After all, osteoarthritis is not always visible on X-rays. One thing is certain, sitting still does not help. No matter how difficult it may be, keep moving. Be careful with running sports and do not overload your joint (do not lift heavy).
Injection or surgery
Sometimes immediate surgery is not necessary and an injection of corticosteroids is sufficient. These are hormones that are related to the adrenal cortex hormone produced by the body. The hormones inhibit inflammation and hypersensitivity reactions. If that is no longer sufficient, a new hip (prosthesis) is the next step. This operation is now ‘normal’. You used to lie in bed for weeks to recover, nowadays I often stand next to your bed the next day. New techniques cause the muscles to be affected as little as possible and that promotes recovery. In almost all cases the pain disappears acutely.
Consult with a specialist
Keep moving with hip complaints, but do not continue for too long. Because of the pain you will often put the wrong strain on other joints and that has consequences in the long term. In consultation with your doctor, go to a good orthopedist and be informed about the best options for you.
(Source: Annatomie MC for orthopedics and movement, Thuisarts, Margriet.nl)
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