In 2007, Malathy Gupta, 62 years old, started experiencing a sharp throbbing pain from the hip to the ankle. Eventually, it became immensely painful and affected her movement and everyday activities. Her condition was diagnosed as hip arthritis, also known as osteoarthritis of the hip, in the year 2010. Experts say that hip arthritis in older adults can cause severe pain and affect their mobility.
Gupta, a Bengalurean, had been living in the United States for over 40 years at the time. In 2009, when she realised that her hip pain had worsened, she decided to move back to India.
Hip arthritis can hinder mobility
Speaking to Happiest Health, Gupta said, “I couldn’t understand whether the pain was in the hip, the knee joint or in the entire leg. I was in agony from hip to ankle and walking had become impossible.”
Upon consulting an orthopaedic surgeon in 2010, Gupta learnt that she had osteoarthritis in the hip and had to undergo hip replacement surgery. “At first, the pain was only on the right hip and right leg. Hence, I underwent total hip replacement surgery on the right side. In 2014, my left side, too, started to ache and I underwent another total hip replacement surgery on the left side,” she said.
Speaking about her case, Dr Chandrasekar Chikkamuniyappa, orthopedic and joint replacement surgeon, Dhee Hospital, Bengaluru, said that the joint was completely worn out. “Hours after the surgery, her physiotherapy began, and she started walking with assistance. She took only about two weeks to resume her daily activities and experienced no pain or issues,” he said.
What is hip arthritis?
Hip arthritis, or osteoarthritis of the hip, is a degenerative joint disease that affects the hip joint. “It causes gradual loss of cartilage, leading to pain, stiffness and limited mobility. The causes are diverse and include age, genetics, obesity, previous injuries and joint abnormalities,” says Dr Prashanth Dhanraj, senior orthopaedic surgeon, Kamineni Hospitals, Hyderabad.
Dr Dhanraj added, “Among the elderly, hip arthritis is prevalent due to the natural wear and tear of joints. Studies estimate a 25% prevalence in those over 65.” They are also vulnerable to falls; hence, necessary fall prevention measures are a must, say doctors.
According to Dr Dhanraj, hip arthritis can be categorised into primary and secondary types. Primary arthritis is linked to ageing and joint degeneration while secondary arthritis is caused by factors like previous injuries, hip dysplasia (a condition where the hip socket doesn’t fully cover the ball portion of the upper thighbone), avascular necrosis (death of bone tissue due to lack of blood supply) or inflammatory conditions.
Hip arthritis could also be due to developmental issues, says Dr Chandrasekar. “In some people, the hip joint wouldn’t have grown as it was supposed to, resulting in an irregularly shaped joint. When the socket and the ball don’t fit properly, they rub against each other, leading to early onset of osteoarthritis,” he said.
Signs of hip arthritis in the elderly
Recognising the symptoms of hip arthritis can help individuals seek timely medical intervention. Dr Dhanraj lists out common signs and symptoms:
- Persistent pain in the hip joint, groin or thigh, which may worsen with activity
- Stiffness and reduced range of motion in the hip joint
- Difficulty walking, climbing stairs or performing daily tasks
- A feeling of grinding or popping in the hip joint during movement
- Tenderness and swelling around the hip area
He added that it is crucial to note that symptoms can vary from person to person; hence, consulting a healthcare professional is crucial for an accurate diagnosis.
“There are four stages of hip arthritis, ranging from minor discomfort and joint space narrowing (stage 1) to severe pain, limited motion and functional limitations (stage 4),” said Dr Dhanraj.
Dr Chandrasekar said that people often don’t seek medical help until it starts affecting their daily activities, which only happens in stage 2 or 3.
In Gupta’s case, too, she consulted the doctor when she was in the third stage of hip arthritis.
Not everyone needs surgery!
“With the symptoms of hip arthritis, older adults can have limited physical activity, isolation and decreased quality of life. Treatment options include non-surgical approaches like lifestyle changes, pain management and assistive devices,” Dr Dhanraj explained.
Dr Chandrasekar emphasised that surgical interventions are needed only in severe cases where the cartilage has broken down, and bones start to rub against each other, causing damage and inflammation to the bone. “The currently available implants are long-lasting and function for up to 30-40 years. Non-cemented implants have become a boon to people suffering from severe hip arthritis,” he said.
There are no restrictions post the hip replacement surgery and people can regain mobility in no time, Dr Chandrasekar said. “They can run, swim, skip and engage in sports. We ask them to avoid sitting on the floor with crossed legs as it adds more strain to the joints and to prevent falls,” he said.
Takeaways
- Hip arthritis or osteoarthritis of the hip is a degenerative joint disease that affects the hip joint and is commonly seen among older adults.
- It affects people’s mobility and causes severe pain and stiffness in the muscles.
- If detected early, the problem can be addressed through non-surgical interventions such as lifestyle changes and pain management.
- In severe cases, hip replacement surgery is suggested to alleviate pain, restore joint function and enhance mobility.
