What To Look For If You Think You May Have Arthritis!

Now, when it comes to arthritis, and more particularly, hip arthritis, you’re certainly not alone. So many people from all around the world suffer from this inflammatory condition that could inflict tremendous pain on an individual, limit their mobility, and even affect their quality of living. There are several telltale signs to look out for that may indicate the presence of hip arthritis, and should you experience any of these symptoms, the best thing you can do is schedule an appointment with an orthopedic to discuss your treatment options. After all, this is your life – and you should never feel the need to live in pain. Let’s talk about some of these signs.

Hip Osteoarthritis
Osteoarthritis is one of the most common forms of hip arthritis. This is caused by the frequent wear and tear of the hip join mostly experienced through simply everyday living. The cartilage that protects the joint connections to your waist and your legs begins to wear down, and as it continues to degrade and wear away, you are left with a bone-on-bone situation that causes a tremendous deal of pain. In most cases, this type of arthritis doesn’t occur until the later stages in life, so if you begin to experience pain in your hip at or around the age of 60 years old, you could be at risk for hip osteoarthritis.

Inflammatory Arthritis
Another common form of hip arthritis is inflammatory arthritis. This can occur when the joints and surrounding tissue that make up your hips become inflamed. This can either be caused by an injury, trauma, or it could be from daily life. There are three different types of inflammatory arthritis that all cause different symptoms.
· Rheumatoid Arthritis – Causes fluid to build up on the joint and results in swelling, pain, and stiffness.
· Ankylosing Spondylitis – Typically deals with the spine but can also affect the hip for individuals between the ages of 17 and 35.
· Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) – Also known as Lupus, this is where your immune system mistakenly attacks joins, tissues, and organs. Common for women between the ages of 15 and 35.

Psoriatic Arthritis
Another form of hip arthritis is called Psoriatic Arthritis. This type of arthritis is commonly associated and linked with psoriasis, a common skin condition. It can cause tremendous joint pain and stiffness, as well as swelling as a result of psoriasis.

The Most Common Symptoms
If you experience any of the following symptoms, you may be at risk for hip arthritis:
· Pain in the groin, knee, or buttocks.
· Pain that is worst in the morning or after prolonged sitting/standing.
· Flare ups after physical activity.
· Difficulty walking.
· Stiffness or locking of the hip joint.
· Pain when leaning over.
· Grinding noises during movement.

Orthopedic Associates
If you believe that you may be experiencing symptoms due to any of the different types of hip arthritis conditions that we described above, give us a call today and sit down with our specialists. We’d love to help ease your pain and provide you with the right treatment to combat your hip arthritis and help you live life the way that you want.