TOPIC:  What is Osteoarthritis of the hip?
Answers provided by
Dr. Mark Woolf

Like other joints that carry your weight, your hips may be at risk for "wear and tear" arthritis (osteoarthritis), the most common form of the disease. The smooth and glistening covering (articular cartilage) on the ends of your bones that helps your hip joint glide may wear thin.

What causes osteoarthritis of the hip?
• About 10 million Americans reported having been diagnosed with osteoarthritis.
• You are more likely to get it if you have a family history of the disease.
• You are also at risk if you are elderly, obese, or have an injury that puts stress on your hip cartilage.
• You can develop osteoarthritis if you do not have any risk factors.
• See your doctor as soon as possible if you think you may have it.

What are my symptoms?
• Your first sign may be a bit of discomfort and stiffness in your groin, buttock, or thigh when you wake up in the morning. The pain flares when you are active and gets better when you rest.
• If you do not get treatment for osteoarthritis of the hip, the condition keeps getting worse until resting no longer relieves your pain. The hip joint gets stiff and inflamed. Bone spurs might build up at the edges of the joint.
• When the cartilage wears away completely, bones rub directly against each other. This makes it very painful for you to move. You may lose the ability to rotate, flex or extend your hip. If you become less active to avoid the pain the muscles controlling your joint get weak, and you may start to limp.

When is a Total Hip Arthroplasty a solution?
• If you have later stages of osteoarthritis, your hip joint hurts when you rest at night, and/or your hip is severely deformed, your doctor may recommend total hip replacement surgery (arthroplasty).
• You will get a two-piece ball and socket replacement for your hip joint. This will cure your pain and improve your ability to walk. You may need crutches or a walker for a while after surgery.
• Rehabilitation is important to restore the flexibility in the hip and work your muscles back into shape.
• Learn more about hip replacement

How long will I be in the hospital for Total Hip Arthroplasty?
• Average length of stay is 2-3 nights. It may vary from patient to patient based on specifics of surgery and other pre-existing medical conditions.

When will I start walking on my new hip or knee?
• If surgery is completed by 1 or 2 pm, then that same day!

How long still my hip or knee last?
• Studies now show that over 90% of patients have good functioning joint replacements past 20 years.

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