Hip Surgery for Rheumatoid Arthritis.
Last updated Thursday, January 06, 2005
Review of the conditionCharacteristics of rheumatoid arthritis of the hip As with any joint in the body, the hip joint can be destroyed by rheumatoid arthritis.
This can lead to pain, stiffness, and disability. Pain associated with
destruction of the hip joint typically occurs in the groin, upper outer
thigh, and/or buttock. In the early stages of the disease it is
aggravated by weight bearing activity. Later, it occurs at rest and can
interfere with sleep.Incidence and risk factors Hip joint involvement by RA is less common and occurs later than other major joints, such as the knees.Diagnosis A thorough history will determine the patient?s overall health and
functional capacity. Examination of the spine, hips, knees, ankles and
feet for joint range of motion and deformity is done. Radiographs
(X-rays) of the involved joints are obtained. These usually include
neck X-rays in which the patient is first asked to bend their head
forward, then backward. Occasionally, an MRI scan, CAT scan (CT), or
Bone-scan may be necessary.Medications In early stages of RA, anti-inflammatory medications can be effective in decreasing pain and may slow the progression of joint destruction caused by RA.Exercises Once joint destruction of the hip has set in, there are no specific
exercises that can stop or arrest the development and progression of
destruction. Regular range of motion exercises and weight bearing
activity are important in maintaining muscle strength and overall
aerobic (heart and lung) capacity, and help prevent the development of
osteoporosis, which can complicate later treatment. Possible benefits of hip surgery for rheumatoid arthritis Total hip replacement very effectively eliminates the pain caused by RA of the hip. Surgery for rheumatoid arthritis of the hip 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 206-598-4288 (outside the Seattle area: 800-440-3280) to make an appointment.
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