Stiff and Aching Hips? You May Have Hip Arthritis

What is arthritis?

Arthritis refers to inflammation of the joint, resulting in pain, swelling, stiffness and loss of the joint function. Arthritis can occur in any joint of the body but most often develops in weight-bearing joints such as the hips and knees. Two of the most common types of arthritis that affect the hip are osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis and avascular necrosis.

Regardless of the cause, symptoms such as joint pain, swelling and stiffness usually progress over time and worsen with age. While arthritis is more common in adults over the age of 65, it can also develop in children, teenagers, and young adults. When left untreated, arthritis may cause serious disabilities that will reduce the overall quality of life. Patients suffering from severe hip arthritis may find it difficult to perform simple daily activities such as walking, bending over, tying shoelaces, cutting toenails or getting in and out of a car.

What types of arthritis affect the hips?

There are over 100 types of arthritis, but there are 3 main types that most commonly affect the hip. Your treatment will depend on the type of arthritis you have.

Osteoarthritis (OA)

Osteoarthritis is the most common form เล่นเกมคาสิโน UFABET ทันสมัย ฝากถอนง่าย of arthritis. The smooth cartilage that cushions your joints wears away gradually, causing friction, pain, inflammation and eventual damage to the bones. The normal hip is a ball-and-socket joint lined with smooth cartilage that allows the joint to move and rotate easily. If the smooth cartilage wears away, the rough surfaces of the ball-and-socket start to grind against each other, limiting movement and causing pain. Over time, osteoarthritis will worsen or permanently damage the structure of the joint.

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA)

Another common form of arthritis is rheumatoid arthritis, which affects the entire body and not just the hip. Rheumatoid arthritis is related to an immune system response rather than wear and tear like with osteoarthritis. This type of arthritis causes swelling and inflammation of the joint capsule synovial lining, eventually destroying the joint. Unlike osteoarthritis, which tends to occur only in one hip, rheumatoid arthritis typically occurs in both hips at the same time (and possibly other joints).

Avascular Necrosis (AVN)

While less commonly known, avascular necrosis (AVN) is one of the prevalent causes of hip arthritis in Singapore and Asia. AVN is a condition that results from the death of bone tissue due to a loss of blood supply. The femoral head, part of the hip joint, is the most common body part affected by this condition. If left untreated, the affected bone may eventually collapse from the formation of tiny breaks. This condition is often caused by injuries to the hip joint, overconsumption of alcohol, or prolonged and excessive use of steroids (often for treatment of medical conditions).

What causes hip arthritis?

The causes of hip arthritis are currently unknown, but there are certain factors that may increase your risk for this condition. These include:

• Advanced age
• Excessive alcohol consumption
• Genetics
• Long term steroid usage
• Obesity or being overweight
• Previous damage/ injury or fractures to the hip
• Repeated stress on the joints through activities that involve the hip such as sports