Introduction
Hip osteoarthritis (OA) is a degenerative joint disease that affects the hip. OA is common in older adults and may lead to pain, weakness, decreased flexibility, and difficulties with daily activities.
Hip osteoarthritis (OA) is common in older adults.
Hip osteoarthritis (OA) is a degenerative joint disease that affects the hip. It's more common in older adults, and it occurs when wear and tear on the cartilage in your joints causes them to break down over time.
If you have hip OA, you may experience pain, stiffness or difficulty moving around. In severe cases of hip OA, you might even need surgery for further treatment options such as replacement --a procedure known as a total hip arthroplasty (THA).
Many people with hip OA do not have symptoms.
Many people with hip OA do not have symptoms. If you are one of the many who are living with hip OA but do not have any pain, it is important to take care of your joints and be aware of how you can reduce the risk for future problems.
If you do have hip pain, it is important to talk about treatment options with your doctor or physical therapist so that you can get relief from the symptoms as soon as possible.
Pain may be felt around the hip joint or thigh.
Pain is often felt around the hip joint, but it may also be felt in your thigh. Pain may be experienced:
When walking and climbing stairs
After sitting for long periods of time, such as at work or on long car trips
When getting up from a chair or lying down
Weakness and decreased flexibility may also be present.
Weakness and decreased flexibility are also common symptoms of hip osteoarthritis.
Weakness may be felt in the muscles surrounding your hip joint, particularly if you have severe pain or stiffness. Decreased flexibility can make it difficult to bend over to tie your shoes or reach for objects on a high shelf.
Physical therapy can help you improve strength and flexibility so that you can better manage daily activities without experiencing pain or discomfort. There are many types of physical therapy treatments available, including exercises focused on increasing muscle strength around the affected area (eccentrically strengthening), improving range of motion through stretching exercises (passive stretching), using heat pads or ice packs before exercising to reduce inflammation beforehand--these are just some examples!
Physical therapy may be helpful for improving range of motion and strength exercises.
Physical therapy may be helpful for improving range of motion and strength exercises. PT can help you manage your degenerative joint disease, improve range of motion, manage pain, and manage inflammation. In addition, physical therapists can help you improve your gait by training specific muscles that support the hip joint.
A physical therapy examination can give you ideas about exercise programs that might help you manage your degenerative joint disease
A physical therapy examination can give you ideas about exercise programs that might help you manage your degenerative joint disease. The physical therapist will also be able to tell how much pain the patient is experiencing and how well the muscles around the hip are working.
Some medicines may be prescribed for pain relief and inflammation.
You may be prescribed a medicine to help relieve pain and inflammation. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as diclofenac, ibuprofen and naproxen are commonly used to treat hip osteoarthritis. Acetaminophen is another option for pain relief that does not have the same side effects as NSAIDs. Tramadol is used to treat moderate to severe pain and can be taken once or twice daily depending on the severity of your symptoms.
Conclusion
In summary, hip osteoarthritis is a common condition that affects older adults. It causes pain and stiffness around the hip joint and thigh. Treatment options include rest, changes in position, physical therapy, and medicines for pain relief and inflammation. If you think you may have hip OA or other knee problems, make an appointment with a physical therapist who can help determine if physical therapy can help manage these conditions.