What is Osteoarthritis of the Hip?
Hip osteoarthritis is inflammation of the hip joint, a condition more likely to develop as people age. Osteoarthritis results when injury or inflammation in a joint causes the soft, shock-absorbing cartilage that lines and cushions the joint surfaces to break down. When the cartilage is damaged, the joint can become painful and swollen. Over time, this condition can cause stiffness and more pain.
How Does it Feel?
Hip osteoarthritis may cause:
- Sharp, shooting pain or dull, achy pain in the hip, groin, thigh, knee, or buttocks
- Stiffness in the hip joint, which is worse after sleeping or sitting
- A “crunching” sound when the hip joint is moved, caused by bone rubbing on bone
- Difficulty and pain when getting out of bed, standing up from a sitting position, walking, or climbing stairs
- Difficulty performing normal daily activities, such as putting on socks and shoes
How Is It Diagnosed?
If you see your physical therapist first, the therapist will conduct a full evaluation that includes your medical history and will ask you questions such as:
- When and how frequently do you feel pain and/or stiffness?
- What activities in your life are made difficult by this pain and stiffness?
He or she will perform special tests to help determine whether you have hip osteoarthritis, such as:
- Gently move your leg in all directions (range of motion test)
- Asking you to resist against her hand as she tries to gently push your leg and hip in different directions (muscle strength test)
- Watching you walk to check for limping
- Asking you to balance while standing (balance test)
Your physical therapist may use additional tests to look for problems in other parts of your body, such as your lower back. He or she may recommend that you consult with an orthopedist, who can order diagnostic testing, such as an x-ray or MRI, to confirm the diagnosis.
How Can a Physical Therapist Help?
Your physical therapist will explain what hip osteoarthritis is, how it is treated, the benefits of exercise, the importance of increasing daily physical activity, and how to protect the hip joint while walking, sitting, stair climbing, standing, load carrying, and lying in bed.
Testing will reveal any specific physical problems you have that are related to hip osteoarthritis, such as loss of motion, muscle weakness, or balance problems.
The pain of hip osteoarthritis can be reduced through simple, safe, and effective physical activities such as walking, riding a bike, or swimming.
Although physical activity can delay the onset of disability from osteoarthritis, people may avoid being physically active because of their pain and stiffness, confusion about how much and what to do, and not knowing when they will see benefits. Your physical therapist will guide you in learning a personal exercise program that will help reduce your pain and stiffness.
Your physical therapist will work with you to:
- Reduce your pain
- Improve your leg, hip, and back motion
- Improve your strength, standing balance, and walking ability
- Speed healing and your return to activity and sport
If you undergo hip joint replacement surgery, your physical therapist will visit you in your hospital room to help you. They may have you get out of bed to walk and educate you on any movements you must avoid to protect the healing hip area.
He or she will work with you daily in the hospital and then in the clinic once you are discharged. He or she will be an integral part of your treatment and recovery – helping you minimize pain, restore motion and strength, and return to normal activities in the speediest yet safest manner possible after surgery.
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Where Can You Find Us?
(941) 744-9046
2601 Manatee Avenue West Ste E Bradenton, FL 34205
