If you’re suffering from hip pain, you may be wondering if it’s the result of arthritis. But what is arthritis, exactly? And how do you know if you have it?
In this video, I will explain what symptoms to look out for in order to determine whether or not your pain is caused by hip arthritis. I’ll also explain what can be done to treat the condition and help relieve your pain.
My name is Dr. David Geier – orthopedic surgeon, sports medicine specialist, and anti-aging and regenerative medicine expert. I help you feel, look and perform your best, regardless of age or injury.
Introduction
The hip joint is a complicated structure. It’s made up of the femur (thigh bone), the acetabulum (socket), as well as the bones in the pubic area and pelvis. The joint itself has many ligaments that help stabilize it, but there are also many muscles that surround and support it as well. When all these things work together properly, they allow you to move in a wide range of ways without pain or discomfort. But when one or more parts – especially the cartilage and bone – get damaged or worn out over time, they can cause symptoms like groin pain, difficulty bending down and squatting, limping on one leg, and more.
Hip joint issues can cause groin or upper thigh pain.
The hip joint is a ball-and-socket joint that connects your upper leg bone (femur) to your pelvis. The socket of this joint is deep in your pelvis and filled with cartilage, which cushions it from the impact of walking. Pain from hip arthritis is often felt in the groin or upper thigh as opposed to the buttock or side of the hip. You might also notice pain when sitting for long periods of time or getting up after sitting for a while (when sitting on an airplane, for example).
Limping or favoring the injured leg
Limping is often a sign of pain. If you limp, it means that your hip joint is not working properly, and this can be an indication of arthritis or other problems with the hip joint.
Pain with hip motion
The symptoms of a worn hip joint can include pain with walking, running, squatting and climbing stairs. You may also experience pain when you try to walk on uneven ground or stairs that have a slight bend in them. If you’ve been experiencing this kind of discomfort for a while, it’s possible that your hip joints are wearing out.
Decreased hip motion
You may experience decreased hip motion. For example, you can’t squat down to tie your shoes or cross your legs.
Test for decreased hip motion by lying on the floor and raising one leg as high as possible without pain or discomfort. Repeat with the other leg and compare heights of both hips. You can also twist the hip internally and externally and compare to the uninvolved hip.
Seek help from a doctor if you suspect that you have hip arthritis.
If you’re experiencing pain in your hip, it’s important to see a doctor to learn if arthritis is the cause of your pain and other symptoms and to help you learn steps to decrease your pain and get back to what you love to do.
We are looking for 5 patients with hip pain who want to get significantly better in the next 30 days, without cortisone shots, physical therapy, or surgery. Click this link and enter the term ‘Interested’ in the description box to learn more.
