Arthritis Osteoarthritis
Arthritis Osteoarthritis (OA) of the hip can be painful and debilitating. The pain is often felt in the patient’s groin. Weight loss, physical therapy and medication are necessary first-line treatments. Progressive disease may require injections and even total hip replacement.
Trochanteric Bursitis
Trochanteric Bursitis is caused by inflammation of a bursa, a small jelly-like sac that usually contains a small amount of fluid. Bursae are located throughout the body, most importantly around the shoulder, elbow, hip, knee, and heel. They act as cushions between bones and the overlying soft tissues, and help reduce friction between the gliding muscles and the bone. These can become inflamed, requiring a period of rest, NSAIDS (Ibuprofin, Motrin, etc.) and physical therapy. Sometimes, injections of corticosteroids are necessary for refractory cases.
Labral Tears
Labral tears and stress fractures are two of the most common injuries to the hip. Degenerative labral tears can be associated with arthritis or occur from years of repetitive minor injuries to the hip. Oftentimes, those playing sports may tear their labrum by causing rapid hip motion through sudden stops and turns on the field. A labral tear causes pain in the groin area, or a “catching” sensation within the joint, but usually doesn’t result in pain during normal daily activities. Hip arthroscopy, a minimally-invasive surgical technique, allows access to the hip joint to address labral tears.
Hip Fractures
More than 300,000 people in the U.S. fracture their hips every year, and older women make up the vast majority of that number. Osteoporosis, a condition in which the structure of bones becomes weaker because of a decrease in calcium and other minerals, and physical inactivity are among the risk factors that can lead to a fractured hip following a fall or other injury. Surgery is almost always the best hip fracture treatment. The type of surgery generally depends on where the fracture occurred, the severity of the fracture and your age. If, after the break, the bone is still properly aligned, the surgeon may insert metal screws into the bone to hold it together while the fracture heals. This process is called internal fixation. If the ends of the broken bone aren’t properly aligned or they’ve been damaged, your surgeon may remove the head and neck of the femur and replace them with a metal prosthesis called hemiarthroplasty Total hip replacement is often required if arthritis or a prior injury has damaged the joint. This procedure involves replacing your upper femur and the socket in your pelvic bone with a prosthesis. Generally, the better your health and mobility before your hip fracture, the better your chances for a complete recovery from a hip fracture.