CreakyJoints reports on the early signs of hip arthritis, the causes and how it is treated, according to experts, including HSS hip and knee surgeon, Jonathan M. Vigdorchik, MD.

The diagnosis of arthritis in the hips begins with doing a physical exam of your hip. Dr. Vigdorchik says he watches patients walk to assess their gait. “If they’re tilting their body over the hip that hurts, that’s the body’s response to making it hurt less,” he noted. 

Assistive devices (e.g., a cane or walker) can help reduce stress on the affected hip joint and help to improve mobility and stability. Both walkers and canes help prevent falls, cited Dr. Vigdorchik. Additionally, maintaining a healthy weight helps reduce stress on the hip joints, can help make biologic medications used to treat inflammatory arthritis work more effectively, and help to ensure a better recovery from hip surgery (if required). “People with a high body mass index have a greater risk for complications after joint replacement,” explained Dr. Vigdorchik.

Additionally, advances to surgical treatments, such as total hip replacement surgery, which once involved significant hospital stays and recovery time, have improved the experience. For example, some patients are able to go home the same day as the procedure. “It’s one of the greatest operations of all time in terms of patient satisfaction and lack of complications,” said Dr. Vigdorchik. “And these hips can last 25 to 30 years.”

Read the article at Creakyjoints.org.