Hip arthritis: Surgical and non-surgical treatments

Hip arthritis is the second most common type of arthritis in the UK, affecting one in nine people aged over 45.

Here, Mr Muhammad Adeel Akhtar, leading consultant trauma and orthopaedic surgeon, provides an expert insight into hip arthritis, including symptoms and surgical and non-surgical treatments.

What is hip arthritis, and what are the causes?

Hip arthritis is a condition that describes the wear-and-tear of the hip joint, which is a type of ball-and-socket joint. The thinning of the joint results in the narrowing of the hip’s joint space, which can be seen on X-rays.

Hip arthritis can be caused by many different factors, like an abnormal shape of the hip joint, a fracture, or soft tissue injuries. However, most patients tend to develop hip arthritis with advancing age, due to age-related wear-and-tear of the joint.

What are the symptoms of hip arthritis?

Most patients describe the pain of hip arthritis as a dull, toothache-like pain that is present most of the time and worsens with physical activity. The pain can affect walking, sleeping and other daily activities, such as putting on one’s shoes or socks, or cutting one’s toenails.

Can hip arthritis be treated without surgery?

The symptoms of hip arthritis can be controlled with physiotherapy exercises to strengthen the muscles around the hip joint, along with painkillers. Sometimes, injections can also help to control symptoms of pain and stiffness.

What are the surgical options for hip arthritis?

The most effective surgery for hip arthritis is total hip replacement, which is a surgical procedure that removes the damaged hip joint and replaces it with a prosthetic joint. The operation can help to improve a patient’s quality of life. Some of my patients have even said that the operation has allowed them to regain their independence and get their life back.

Can lifestyle changes help in managing hip arthritis pain?

Lifestyle changes can help in managing symptoms of hip arthritis, including pain, to a certain extent. These include managing one’s weight, using a walking stick, and keeping from bending down or doing rotational movements.

If you would like to seek expert assessment and treatment for your hip arthritis, do not hesitate to book an appointment with Mr Muhammad Adeel Akhtar via his Top Doctors profile today.