Hip Arthritis

Hip Arthritis

Hip Arthritis Treatment and Surgery in Wayne, Parsippany & Paramus, NJ

Hip arthritis is common and often occurs as we advance in age from chronic “wear-and-tear” of the joint where the cartilage damages and wears away over time.

Hip arthritis is common and often occurs as we advance in age from chronic “wear-and-tear” of the joint where the cartilage damages and wears away over time, decreasing the protective joint space between the femoral head (ball) and acetabulum (socket). This type of arthritis is known as osteoarthritis. Often, degenerative changes can be seen on x-ray as joint space narrowing and osteophytes (bone spurs). Arthritis in the hip can also be caused by inflammatory conditions, after trauma to the joint, or due to a congenital abnormality, but these types of arthritis are less common. Pain from arthritis in the hip may be felt directly at the hip, but often pain can be referred to the groin, down the thigh, at the level of the knee and can also be referred posteriorly to the buttocks or lower back. As arthritis progresses, you may experience loss of motion at the hip, crepitus, limping, tenderness and difficulty leaning on the effected side. Nonsurgical treatment is standard as the initial treatment for hip arthritis, often done by implementing lifestyle modifications, physical therapy and cortisone injections. If conservative treatment fails or the arthritis in the hip is severe causing significant pain and limitations of everyday life, you may be a candidate for a total hip arthroplasty (frequently referred to as a total hip replacement).