| Osteoarthritis, the gradual breakdown and eventual loss of the cartilage in the joints of our body, is an extremely common disorder that most frequently affects large, load-bearing joints such as the hips. Those who suffer from osteoarthritis in the hips usually experience considerable pain and may ultimately face an increasing degree of disability.
Typical Symptoms |
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Causes of Pain in the Groin
Many patients experience painful sensations of pressure, tearing and burning in the groin.
It is important here, however, to first rule out an array of other possible causes that are not orthopedic in nature. Diseases located in the area of the hips and the abdominal cavity, or even nerve and blood vessel injuries, can also lead to pain in the groin.
Furthermore, multiple diseases may be involved, meaning that the condition will need to be addressed by more than one medical specialist. Rheumatic diseases in particular require careful examination.
However, pain in the hips and groin is frequently a sign of an orthopedic disorder.
There are many more than one hundred known causes of osteoarthritis in the hip. We can make a distinction between primary osteoarthritis, the exact cause of which remains unknown, and secondary osteoarthritis, which is caused by specific pre-existing conditions, including rheumatoid arthritis, vascular diseases, congenital diseases, accident-related injuries, metabolic diseases and various genetic diseases.
The diagnosis of hip osteoarthritis is typically based on the nature of the pain involved, a clinical investigation by an orthopedist and an x-ray examination.
Ultimately, the pain and discomfort that individuals experience as the disease progresses will cause disability and a serious drop in the quality of their lives.
Treatment Options
The main goal of the various treatments for osteoarthritis in the hip is to alleviate the pain, reduce any inflammation in the hip joint and to secure the mobility of the hips. Disabilities are to be minimized and the quality of the patient's life is to be improved despite the wear and tear to the hip.
In the early stages of the disease, the patients themselves have an opportunity to make a significant contribution to improving their overall conditions and influencing the course of the disease. It is essential in this context to provide patients with comprehensive information about the disease and offer them advice on changing any relevant habits. The goal here is to avoid improper loading of the joint while at work and while participating in sports and introduce a smart regimen of regular exercises to help retain muscle strength and hip mobility. In overweight patients, losing weight can make a significant contribution to improvement. A reduction in body weight of only 5kg can reduce the risks associated with osteoarthritis by nearly 50%!
Once osteoarthritis in the hip has progressed to a middle stage, various measures, including medication and devices, are recommended so as to protect the integrity of the joint itself. Simple painkillers and modern stomach-friendly antirheumatic substances can make an important contribution. The therapy introduced to eliminate the pain (both with and without medication) will ideally also eliminate the cause of the pain. Modern antirheumatic substances can eliminate the joint pain without significant side effects. Physical therapy and special injections may also be necessary. Physical therapy is introduced to help strengthen muscle and secure range of motion. Local physical therapy applications represent an important non-pharmaceutical component when it comes to alleviating pain, stimulating the metabolism and reducing inflammation. Misaligned hip joints and the effects of uneven or excessive loading (prolonged standing, kneeling and squatting), as well as pain and stiffness, can be counteracted with specific forms of exercise. This may also increase the patient's awareness of proper movement and encourage behavior that will help to protect the hip joints. Orthopedic measures such as special shoes, walking devices, bandages and special braces may be introduced to unburden the hip and contribute to a general improvement in the condition. In addition to this, painkilling, anti-edemic and anti-inflammatory substances may be used. Good results have also been achieved with homeopathic substances. Pulsating magnetic field therapy has proven to be highly effective in the treatment of osteoarthritis. Alternative methods involving the culturing of chondrocytes (cartilage cells) are sometimes used to treat relatively minor cartilage damage.
Excellent outcomes have also been achieved with Orthokine® therapy, a method that involves applying autologous immune proteins directly to the damaged cartilage so as to block its further destruction.
Surgical intervention is the only option when it comes to advanced osteoarthritis in the hip. If the extent of the cartilage damage is limited, it may be possible to remove the damaged tissue and smooth the surface of the cartilage that is to remain in place using hip arthroscopy. This procedure soothes the synovial membrane and alleviates the hip pain.
