Hip Osteoarthritis: Combatting the Wear and Tear
Osteoarthritis is sometimes referred to as the “wear and tear” arthritis: it is a degenerative type of arthritis that commonly occurs as we age, and often is found in weight-bearing joints such as our hips. Here’s a quick break down of verbiage:
Osteo = bone; Arthritis = inflammation in a joint; Osteoarthritis = degeneration and inflammation of joint cartilage and underlying bone.
There are a few risk factors associated with OA, many of which are not within your control, therefore it is important to take charge of what you can. The biggest influences are:
Age (most common over 50)
Family history of OA
Personal history:
Developmental dysplasia at birth (importer formation of the hip joint)
Previous hip injuries
Obesity
The most common symptom of hip OA is pain. The pain is typically in the groin area and might spread laterally to your hip/buttocks, or even down to your knee. It often worsens with high levels of activity. Other symptoms include stiffness, locking, crepitus (think Rice Krispies noises), decreased range of motion, difficulty with daily tasks and movements like bending over to get something off the ground, transitioning from sitting to standing, and walking.
Osteoarthritis naturally worsens over time, but there is a lot you can do to reduce its progression and impact on your life! You have the power to manage the symptoms, alleviate the pain, and be active doing what you enjoy! This is what physical therapy is all about!
Lifestyle modifications can be extremely beneficial in minimizing symptoms acutely while you work with your provider to strengthen your body and build resiliency. Examples of modifications you can safely make on your own include minimizing activities that are aggravating while also maximizing activities that are alleviating or comfortable; participate in lower impact activities like cycling or swimming versus high-impact activities like running, HIIT classes, etc.; explore healthy and sustainable ways to reduce your overall body mass in order to decrease the forces on your joints.
In addition to introducing some modifications in your daily life, physical therapy can be a game changer in preventing progression of this degenerative condition. A skilled therapist can guide and support you in safely improving your range of motion, mobility, strength, and functional movements. Addressing these deficits will alleviate your pain and provide a better prognosis for returning to your preferred activities, or maybe even trying something new. In a “worst case scenario” when surgery may be warranted, physical therapy is excellent “prehab” for surgery to prepare the body for undergoing and recovery from an invasive procedure. We hope to avoid this, of course, but regardless your body will thank you for putting in the hard work. You do NOT need to be in pain for the rest of your life. You can have OA and be active and enjoy yourself while doing it!
Have more questions about your hip pain or osteoarthritis? We would be happy to chat further about how Loon State Physical Therapy can be your teammate in getting you back to moving and feeling your best! Call us at (612) 405-8503 or book with us online at www.loonstatephysicaltherapy.com for an in-person or virtual appointment.
Bailey Van Oosbree, Doctor of Physical Therapy
Loon State Physical Therapy