Symptoms Of Hip Osteoarthritis

'Osteo' means related to the bones, and 'arthritis' refers to the swelling and tenderness of the joints. The term Osteoarthritis refers to a condition with swelling, inflammation, and stiffness in the joints causing pain and discomfort in moving or staying active. Osteoarthritis develops due to the natural wear and tear of the cartilage that acts as a cushion between two joint bones that allows frictionless mobility of the joints. Hip osteoarthritis is a form of arthritis that commonly impacts people in their senior years of life. While the damage cannot be undone, hip osteoarthritis can properly be managed with timely treatment. Today, we look at the main symptoms of the arthritic hip that we should be aware of. 

Hip osteoarthritis symptoms 

The main symptoms of hip osteoarthritis include:

• Stiffness in the joints: Patients usually experience stiffness in the affected joint after prolonged inactivity. This joint stiffness is commonly experienced upon waking up in the morning. 
• Tenderness and pain: The affected hip joint will also start to hurt. Due to this pain, even the smallest of ordinary movements might become challenging. 
• Crackling sounds: When moved, the joints might produce a crackling or popping sound. 
• Limited motions: The pain and stiffness can lead to a limited range of motions. The patient might not be able to perform daily tasks with former ease. These tasks could include basic movements, such as stretching the leg or even getting up from a chair. 
• Swelling: The affected hip can swell up due to inflammation. 
• Noticeable change in walk: The extreme pain associated with Osteoarthritis can lead to a visible difference in the way the patient walks. 

If you notice any of these hip osteoarthritis symptoms, reach out to a doctor immediately. 

Risk factors

As discussed, age is a significant risk factor for developing hip osteoarthritis. Other risk factors include obesity, years of playing high-impact sports, and trauma to the joint. Hip osteoarthritis also tends to run in families. 

Treatment options

The first line of treatment for hip osteoarthritis consists of medicines for the pain and physiotherapy to keep muscles active and strong. If these don't prove to be too helpful, the patient might have to undergo surgery. A hip replacement surgery is generally recommended for serious cases in which medications don't provide relief from symptoms. In this procedure, the damaged parts of the hip joint are removed and replaced with artificial parts. Advances in medicine have made it possible to have a minimally invasive hip replacement surgery. 

Get the latest in hip replacement technology from Meril

Established in 2006, Meril continues to strive towards pioneering research to uncover gaps in medical treatment and ways to fill these gaps. With a presence in 100+ countries, Meril is a trusted name in the field of medical technology. 

The various products of Meril for Hip Replacement are:

• The Latitud Acetabular Cup System
• The Latitud Femoral Head,
• The uncemented Femoral Stem,
• The Latitud cemented Femoral Head and
• The Latitud- Bipolar Monoblock Shell

Each of these products from Meril conforms to the relevant standard of specifications for “Surgical Implants Applications” and the specifications mentioned in the relevant parts of ISO for “Implant for Surgery- metallic material” as applicable from time to time.

With good retention and stability, proven design and accuracy to fit well with the patient’s anatomy, specific material and its composition, texture and different sizes and versions, the products cater to the specific need of the patient and offer the best solution for the damaged hip.