Hip Arthritis

There are over 100 different form of arthritis; several of these forms of arthritis affect the hip, the most common form being osteoarthritis. Arthritis is a progressive degenerative joint disease that results in inflammation, pain, and decreased range of motion in the affected joint(s). There are several different types of arthritis that cause hip pain. The specific type of arthritis you have may affect your treatment options.

Types of Hip Arthritis

There are five main types of arthritis that affect the hip joint, including:

• Osteoarthritis, a progressive degenerative joint disease that occurs as a result of loss of cartilage between the head of the femur (thighbone) and the acetabulum (hip socket) . As the cartilage between bone and joint wears away, the joint surface becomes rough, which bearing wears away, the result is a roughed joint surface that causes the pain and stiffness that people associate with osteoarthritis.
• Rheumatoid arthritis, an autoimmune condition resulting when the synovium releases chemical substances that attack, damage, and eventually destroy the cartilage; often affects both hips at the same time.
•  Ankylosing spondylitis, a chronic inflammation of the hip that causes pain and stiffness.
• Systemic lupus erythematosus, inflammation in any part of the body, and most often affects the joints, skin, and nervous system; those with lupus have a higher incidence of osteonecrosis of the hip, which results in bone cells and eventually leads to severe arthritis.
• Psoriatic arthritis, causes joint pain, swelling, and stiffness and can affect any joint in the body, including the hip.

These forms of arthritis have no known cure, but there are several effective ways to treat the pain, inflammation, and discomfort associated with the condition.