Inflammatory Arthritis of the Hip

Arthritis is the term used to refer to inflammation of one or more joints. There are many types of arthritis and a number of difference causes. Inflammatory arthritis occurs when your body’s immune system becomes overactive and attacks itself. It is a type of autoimmune condition. Inflammatory arthritis can affect many joints throughout the body, as well as many organs, such as the skin, eyes, and heart.

Here at YourOrthoSolution, we have some of the top orthopedic surgeons and sports medicine physicians in the country. We are dedicated to getting you back to the things you love through a customized plan that fits only you. Our caring team always goes that extra step to make you feel like part of our family.

Although there is no cure for inflammatory arthritis, there have been many recent advances in treatment, particularly in the development of new medications. Early diagnosis and treatment can help you maintain mobility and function by preventing severe damage to the joint. At YourOrthoSolution, we have extensive experience specializing in treating inflammatory arthritis. By working with you and customizing your entire treatment and rehabilitation process, you will understand everything you want to know about your condition, giving you the best chance of leading an active life, with your symptoms under the best possible control.

Types

There are three types of inflammatory arthritis that are most likely to cause symptoms in the hip joint:

• Rheumatoid arthritis – In this arthritis, the synovial membrane within the joint thickens, swells, and produces chemical substances that attack and destroy the articular cartilage covering the bone. Rheumatoid arthritis often involves the same joint on both sides of the body, so both hips may be affected.
• Ankylosing spondylitis – This arthritis is a chronic inflammation of the spine that most often causes lower back pain and stiffness. It may also affect other joints, including the hip.
• Systemic lupus erythematosus – This disease can cause inflammation in any part of the body, and most often affects the joints, skin, and nervous system. It is most common in young adult women. Systemic lupus erythematosus can also lead to osteonecrosis of the hip, which is a disease that causes bone cells to die, weakens bone structure, and eventually results in disabling arthritis.

Symptoms

Inflammatory arthritis may cause generalized body symptoms, such as fever, loss of appetite, and tiredness. A hip affected by inflammatory arthritis will generally be painful and stiff. The pain is typically a dull, aching pain in the groin, outer thigh, knee, or buttock. Sometimes, however, it is severe enough to cause a limp or make walking difficult.

Treatment

Nonsurgical

Nonsurgical methods are the mainstay of treatment for inflammatory arthritis. The exact methods used often depends on the type of arthritis you have. For most people, some combination of methods usually works best. Nonsurgical options include:

• Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) – these drugs can relieve pain and reduce inflammation. NSAIDs are available in both over-the-counter and prescription forms.
• Corticosteroids – these are very potent anti-inflammatory medications. They can be taken by mouth, injected into the hip joint, or used as creams that are applied to the skin around the joint.
• Disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) – these drugs act on the immune system to help slow the progression of autoimmune diseases, including those causing inflammatory arthritis. Methotrexate and sulfasalazine are examples of commonly prescribed DMARDs.
• Physical therapy – specific exercises may help increase the range of motion of the hip and strengthen the muscles that support the joint.
• Regular, moderate exercise – this may decrease stiffness in the hip and improve endurance. Swimming is a very good option for people with ankylosing spondylitis who have limited spinal motion.
• Assistive devices – canes, walkers, long-handled shoehorns, reachers, and other devices can help make it easier to perform activities of everyday life.

Surgical

Surgery may be the only option if nonsurgical treatments do not relieve your hip pain. Depending on your age, activities, condition of the hip joint, type of inflammatory arthritis, and general progression of your disease, your doctor will determine which type of surgery is best for you. There are two main surigical options:

• Synovectomy – in this operation, part or all of the joint lining (synovium) is removed. This may be a good option for people early in the course of their disease, when the disease is limited to the synovium and has not yet affected the articular cartilage that covers the bones within the joint.
• Total hip replacement – in this surgery, the damaged cartilage and bone in the hip are removed and replaced with metal or plastic joint surfaces. This procedure is often recommended for people with rheumatoid arthritis or ankylosing spondylitis to relieve pain and improve range of motion.

As with all of our treatment approaches, the goal is to get you back to full strength and doing the activities you want to do. Our highly trained specialists will take into account several factors and create a customized treatment plan for you and your needs.

At YourOrthoSolution, all of our doctors and staff are committed to ensuring that you not only receive the best orthopedic care in the area but also have an exceptional experience during each visit to our locations. Our dedicated staff will handle all insurance processes for you. You can expect to be in a friendly atmosphere and receive top orthopedic treatment to help you return to your normal activities as quickly as possible.