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Nov 05
2019

Hip osteoarthritis is also known as degenerative arthritis of the hip. Osteoarthritis is the most common kind of arthritis. People most at risk for this is the aging population.

Hip Osteoarthritis: How Does It Happen?

Inflammation and/or injury can cause the cartilage in a joint to break down. Cartilage does not regrow once damaged. Therefore, when that cartilage breaks down you experience pain. Also, the area can become swollen, and possibly deformed.

Symptoms of Hip Osteoarthritis

At first, the symptoms of this condition may present themselves as pain in surrounding areas such as the groin, thigh, buttocks, and/or knee. This can cause a delay in the diagnosis of hip osteoarthritis as it is not always easy to tell when pain manifests itself in those other areas that it is actually due to hip osteoarthritis. 

When osteoarthritis happens in the hip, it can cause difficulty in walking. Other symptoms may include a stiff hip, stabbing pain, sharp pain, and/or dull ache.

[Related article: Common Causes of Hip Pain]

How Physical Therapy Can Help Hip Osteoarthritis

If you have been diagnosed with osteoarthritis of the hip, a physical therapist can help. Your physical therapist can show you the specific exercises that will focus on this area and be the most effective way of addressing this condition. This will allow you to increase movement, flexibility, and range of motion. Your physical therapist will tailor a program to meet your specific needs and goals.

A physical therapist may also be able to help you prevent hip osteoarthritis from getting worse. You may be able to help prevent this condition or ward off some of the symptoms by exercising and/or keeping your weight down. Exercise builds strength around your muscles and joints, which helps prevent the cartilage from breaking down.

If prevention is no longer an option and you do end up having to have surgery, a physical therapist can help you in your recovery from hip replacement surgery.

[Related article: Physical Therapy For Hip Replacement Surgery]

Now that you know more about hip osteoarthritis and how physical therapy can help…

…schedule a consultation at Above & Beyond Physical Therapy. We have physical therapists available at two convenient locations in both Queen Creek and Phoenix. 

Contact us today.