Hip Arthritus

The signs & symptoms of Hip arthritis are / can be:

• Loss of range of motion at the hip joint (difficulty putting shoes and socks on or climbing in and out of a car)
• Loss of strength of the muscles around the hip joint
• Pain in the hip, groin or lower back during or after activity or when weight bearing
• Stiffness in the hip, often worse in the morning, or after sitting for long periods
• Loss of balance
• Walking with a limp, especially leaning towards the side of the hip arthritis
• Creptis (sounds) when moving the hip
  

Osteoarthritis involves the loss of articular cartilage (protective covering on the ends of bones) and damage to the boney surfaces of the joint. Osteoarthritis can be very painful and is considered a progressive disease but there are recent advances in the management of hip arthritis.

• Remaining active with activity modification strategies are extremely important when suffering from hip arthritis. Often much of the pain and  loss of function can be decreased by completing a targeted strength and range of motion exercise program
• Use it or lose it – if you don’t use your muscles they will become weak and dysfunctional and only contribute to higher levels of pain
• Motion is lotion – the more you move a stiff arthritic joint the easier it becomes to move and the less painful it is to move
• A painful arthritic hip does not respond well to excessive loading. Activities such as hydrotherapy or pilates, which reduce the load being passed through your hip but still allow strength and range training, can do wonders for an arthritic hip