Hip Arthritis Treatment Options

Lifestyle modifications

Making certain changes in your lifestyle can help manage the symptoms of hip arthritis.

1. Weight management: Weight loss can help relieve pressure on the hips and improve joint health.
2. Regular exercise: Low-impact activities like walking, yoga, swimming, and cycling can help keep your joints mobile and strengthen the muscles around the hip joint. Exercise can also help reduce inflammation and improve overall physical function.
3. Walking aids: Using a cane or crutches can reduce pressure on the hip joint and provide some relief.
4. Rest and joint protection: Avoiding activities that cause pain and taking breaks throughout the day can help reduce inflammation and prevent additional damage.
5. Heat and cold therapy: This can help reduce pain and inflammation.
6. A healthy diet: A diet rich in anti-inflammatory foods like fruits and vegetables can reduce inflammation and aid in joint health.

Medications

Over-the-counter pain medications like oral acetaminophen or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) can help reduce pain and inflammation in the hip joint.

1. Topical creams like Voltarenâ, Lidocaine, Capsaicin, menthol, and salicylic acid applied to the skin can help reduce pain and inflammation.
2. Prescription medications like oral corticosteroids can reduce inflammation. Steroid injections can be done up to four times a year.

Injection therapy

Several types of injections can help treat hip arthritis. They are injected into the hip joint to reduce pain and inflammation.

1. Corticosteroid injections: These injections offer short term pain relief and can be given up to four times a year. However, long term use is not recommended because corticosteroids can cause bone loss.
2. Viscosupplementation injections: Hyaluronic Acid injections can help lubricate the joint and reduce pain. They can be given weekly for a few weeks and provide pain relief for up to six months.
3. Platelet – rich Plasma (PRP) injections: PRP contains growth factors that can promote healing and reduce inflammation.
4. Stem cell Injections: Stem cell injections can stimulate the growth of new cartilage and help to repair damaged cartilage.

Physical therapy

Working with a physical therapist can help improve range of motion and strengthen the muscles around the hip joint, which can help reduce pain and improve mobility.

Surgery is typically considered a last resort for hip osteoarthritis, after non-surgical treatments have failed to provide adequate pain relief and improved mobility. There are several types of surgeries that may be performed for hip osteoarthritis, including:

1. Hip Arthroscopy: A minimally invasive outpatient procedure, hip arthroscopy can remove damaged cartilage and bone spurs to reduce pain and improve mobility. Hip arthroscopy is not generally used as a treatment for advanced hip arthritis because it cannot repair major hip joint damage. It is used in the early stages of hip osteoarthritis to address certain conditions like FAI or labral tears that can cause hip osteoarthritis.
2. Osteotomy: An osteotomy involves cutting and realigning bones in the joint to redistribute weight and pressure in the joint. Osteotomy is usually reserved for younger patients with early-stage hip arthritis.
3. Hip Resurfacing: This involves replacing the damaged surfaces of the hip joint with metal implants. Resurfacing is best for younger patients who have good bone quality.

Hip surgery involves risks and longer recovery than nonsurgical treatments but offers longer term relief.