The hip is one of the most stable joints in the body. Because of its function in bearing the body's weight, however, it may be susceptible to arthritis due to the excessive pressure. The hip joint is a ball and socket joint. The socket area, which is inside the pelvis, is called the acetabulum. The ball part of this joint is the top of the leg bone. It joins with the acetabulum to form the hip joint. These are actually held together by ligaments, muscles, and the joint capsule. This arrangement allows motion, yet provides the stability needed to bear all the rest of your body weight on your legs.
The structures in the hip joint are the capsule, which is a tough, stretchy material; the ligaments, which go all the way around and outside the capsule; and the muscles, which are attached by tendons and are all around the hip joint. Some of the muscles that go around your hip are your hip flexors, which flex your hips; your hip abductors, which bring your leg out to the side; and the hip extensors, which bring your leg back. The hip also rotates internally and externally. Internal rotators such as abductors turn the legs in, and external rotators turn the legs out. These are tiny little muscles on the back part of your hip. Because some of the muscles are tiny, they become tighter more easily and can be overpowered by the larger muscles. Therefore, it is important to have a good range of motion that will allow the hip to move freely without pains and strains.
Common Injuries
There are three kinds of arthritis that affect the hip,
Osteoarthritis or "wear and tear" arthritis generally occurs after the age of 50 and can run in a family. In this form of arthritis, the cartilage cushioning the bones of the hip simply wears away. The bones then rub together, causing hip pain and stiffness.
Rheumatoid Arthritis is a disease where the synovial membrane becomes irritated for unknown reasons, produces too much fluid and damages the cartilage, leading to pain and stiffness.
Traumatic Arthritis results from an injury or fracture. There are over 280,000 hip fractures in the United States every year. These fractures and their subsequent care are very costly in terms of money and the emotional impact on the patient and their family. About half of all patients suffering from a hip fracture will lose their independence and may require long term care.
Treatment
As with most orthopaedic problems, there are many different ways to treat each individual's symptoms. Whenever you feel pain in your hip, slow down what you are doing; cut the activity in half until the pain subsides, and then increase your activity again as you feel better. If the pain persists, you may want to consider obtaining a more accurate diagnosis. As always, conservative treatment is usually all that is required. In the event that surgery is needed, there are many different procedures that can get you back on the road to independence.
Total Joint Replacement is just one of the surgeries that is making a lifestyle difference in many people's lives. Total joint replacement has been in widespread use since the early 1970s for total hip and the late 1970s for total knee. Even though the technology is recent, it has progressed rapidly so that long term results are excellent.
In a total joint replacement, bony surfaces of the joint are prepared to allow application of metal and plastic devices to substitute for the destroyed cartilage and/or bone. The ligaments and tendons are usually preserved so that function of the joint is not compromised. There are several methods currently utilized to provide stable fixation of the implant to your bone, including the use of bone cement, special coatings on the implant and techniques involving a very tight fit of the implant with your bone. Your surgeon will discuss with you the type of implant that is appropriate for your particular lifestyle and circumstances.