Osteoarthritis of the Hip (Hip Arthritis): "Degenerative Joint Disease" can cause pain, stiffness, and cartilage breakdown
Edited By: Seth S. Leopold, M.D.
Last updated Friday, January 18, 2008
Causes and effectsWhat causes hip arthritis?
No one knows what causes osteoarthritis of the hip.
However, there are some risk factors that may increase the
likelihood that hips will become arthritic. These risk factors include:
- Genetics.
Arthritis often runs in families.
- Childhood
hip diseases including developmental hip dysplasia (DDH), Legg-Calve-Perthe’s
Disease, and slipped capital femoral epiphysis (SCFE) all can predispose an
individual to premature hip arthritis.
- Acquired
conditions, such as avascular necrosis (osteonecrosis), can result in hip
arthritis if left untreated or if treatment fails.
- Variations
in hip anatomy (the shape of the hip joint itself), including a condition
called femoroacetabular impingement, can cause the hip to become arthritic.
- Severe
trauma. Fractures (broken bones) or traumatic dislocations of the ball from the
hip socket can increase the likelihood of hip arthritis.
-
Obesity.
Some studies have associated this condition with arthritis of the hips,
though interestingly obesity is more strongly linked to arthritis of
the knees than it is to arthritis of the hips.
What does hip arthritis do?
Pain and stiffness are the main symptoms of hip arthritis.
When it becomes more advanced, joint deformity (including leg-length
inequality) can occur.
As the condition worsens, it often becomes less responsive
to medical treatments such as pills or injections.
In
many patients with advanced arthritis, particularly if those medical approaches
are no longer helpful, surgery can offer relief of symptoms. Some patients with
severe osteoarthritis sometimes can benefit from total hip replacement surgery often will relieve the pain associated with hip arthritis.Surgery for hip arthritis at the University of Washington If you are interested in making an appointment to discuss this procedure, you can request an appointment using our online referrals website. To request a referral online, please click here. You can also call the Bone & Joint Surgery Center at 206-598-3354 or Eastside Specialty Clinic at 425-646-7777 to make an appointment.
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