Arthritis Osteoarthritis Knee Osteoarthritis What You Need to Know About Hip Osteoarthritis Why this condition is a source of major problems By Carol Eustice Updated June 26, 2017 Share Pin Email Print Hip Osteoarthritis. ZEPHYR / Getty Images More in Osteoarthritis Knee Osteoarthritis Symptoms Causes & Risk Factors Diagnosis Treatment Living With Support & Coping Hip osteoarthritis is a common type of osteoarthritis. Since the hip is a weight bearing joint, osteoarthritis can cause significant problems. About 1 in 4 Americans can expect to develop osteoarthritis of the hip during their lifetime, according to the American College of Rheumatology.Early diagnosis and treatment help manage hip osteoarthritis symptoms. With this overview of the condition, better understand the symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment options. Causes of Hip OsteoarthritisHip osteoarthritis is caused by deterioration of articular cartilage and wear-and-tear of the hip joint. This happens for several reasons, including:previous hip injuryprevious fracture, which changes hip alignmentgeneticscongenital and developmental hip diseasesubchondral bone that is too soft or too hardavascular necrosisDiagnosis of Hip OsteoarthritisYour doctor will consider your complete medical history, results from your physical examination, and X-rays to determine the extent of joint damage and formulate a diagnosis of hip osteoarthritis. If more information is needed, an MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) may be ordered by your doctor. Blood tests may be used if it is necessary to rule out other types of arthritis.According to the American College of Rheumatology classification criteria for osteoarthritis of the hip, there must be hip pain and at least two of the following three criteria: erythrocyte sedimentation rate < 20 mm/hrfemoral or acetabular osteophytes seen on X-rayjoint space narrowing seen on X-raySymptoms of Hip OsteoarthritisPatients who have hip osteoarthritis have pain localized to the groin area and the front or side of the thigh. Morning stiffness, although for a shorter amount of time than occurs with rheumatoid arthritis, is also characteristic of hip osteoarthritis. Most significantly, there is limited range of motion of the hip and pain during motion. The symptoms can worsen to the point that pain is constantly present.Treatment of Hip OsteoarthritisHip osteoarthritis cannot be cured, but there are treatments available to help manage symptoms. Treatment plans should be personalized to each patient, according to the American College of Rheumatology, and other conditions must be considered.Medications are one way to treat hip osteoarthritis. For mild cases, acetaminophen is usually tried first. NSAIDs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory) and opioid analgesics are used for moderate to severe hip osteoarthritis.There are also non-drug treatments that can help, such as weight loss. While normal weight people have a 20 percent risk of hip OA, overweight people have a 25 percent risk, and obese people have a 39 percent risk. Water exercise programs, physical therapy (range of motion and strengthening exercises), and occupational therapy (assistive devices, joint protection) have also proven helpful. Patient education helps as well.Surgery is considered a last resort treatment option. Surgery is appropriate for patients with hip osteoarthritis who have failed other more conservative treatment options. Surgical procedures include:arthroscopy - an arthroscope checks the condition of the articular cartilageosteotomy - realigns angles of the hip jointtotal hip replacement - new acetabular and femoral components are implantedAn accurate diagnosis and early treatment help decrease pain and improve function for the hip osteoarthritis patient. As the condition advances, appropriate treatment changes can be made.Sources:A Patient's Guide to Osteoarthritis of the Hip. eOrthopod. Accessed 7/29/2007.http://www.eorthopod.com/public/patient_education/6501/osteoarthritis_of_the_hip.htmlGuidelines for the Medical Management of Osteoarthritis. Osteoarthritis of the Hip. Arthritis & Rheumatism. Nov 1995.http://www.rheumatology.org/publications/guidelines/oa-hip/oa-hip.asp Continue Reading