Hip Arthritis
Hip Arthritis: Considering Hip Joint Replacement
Hip arthritis is one of the most common forms of arthritis, which arises from various underlying causes. However, all cases of hip arthritis have one factor in common and that is cartilage loss in the hip joint. This results to the bones rubbing against each other and causing more damage to the joint. Unfortunately, hip arthritis usually progresses once it begins but the degree of immobility and pain differ from one patient to another.
Treatment of hip arthritis may be either non-surgical or surgical depending on certain factors such as the patient's age and symptoms and the degree of hip joint damage. The doctor may also recommend combining several treatment approaches be combined. Treatment of hip arthritis without the need for surgery includes weight loss, taking anti-inflammatory drugs such as naprosyn and ibuprofen, and activity modification. These non-surgical methods help lessen pain and improve mobility. Beware of some claims of the benefits of "nutraceuticals" such as glucosamine supplements in treating hip arthritis because there is no strong evidence that support their effectiveness and they are not FDA regulated.
When it comes to surgical treatment of hip arthritis, the options are osteotomy, wherein the surgeon cuts the bone to re-align the hip joint and total hip arthroplasty (THA), which means hip joint replacement.
THA is the more common surgery used to treat hip arthritis. The patient together with the doctor will determine if THA is the best treatment option. Many patients are willing to explore THA for the chance to regain their ability to do their favorite recreational activities. Another strong motivation for hip arthritis patients is the intense pain caused by the disease, especially during the night. Obviously, THA is not the ideal treatment for everyone with hip arthritis. There are those who are willing to give up the activities that cause them pain or rely on pain-relieving approaches.
However, an increasing number of hip arthritis patients are considering THA because of the availability of brilliant surgeons and excellent techniques in the performance of this surgery. Moreover, the materials that the doctor will use in replacing the hip joint are 100 percent durable. These said developments in THA and the growing interest among the general population to remain active throughout life have encouraged many patients suffering from hip arthritis to try hip joint replacement.
THA is a highly effective and safe procedure performed with epidural anesthesia, which greatly lowers the risks of surgery-related complications and allows faster recovery. Usually, THA patients stay at the hospital for 5 days or less. Hip joint replacement usually has an excellent long-term outcome with 85 to 93 percent success rate over a period of 20 years.
More Articles
More Articles
... Doctors usually base it on the patient's report or by looking at the X-ray of the ankle. They sometimes require the patient to undergo MRI or a CT scan. Nowadays, they can determine the exact location of the loss of cartilage by injecting air and dye inside the ankle. By doing this, specialists can see ...
... the disease. A person may have only one or two affected areas or lesions or they may have many larger ones. Many people that suffer from scleroderma have Raynaud's phenomenon and this is an arthritic vascular symptom that can affect the fingers and toes. The hands and the feel may have discoloration because ...
... take care of yourself, it is important that you access whatever information is available because that is still a valuable addition to your stock knowledge. Everything can almost be reached and grabbed by the tip of the finger, it's how much you are willing to give your time, effort, and other resources, ...
... foot swell and will inhibit foot ulcers. Shoes with Velcro closure or laces are also ideal because you can loosen them if you experience swelling in your feet. The ideal shoes to relieve arthritis discomfort are athletic shoes because they generally offer good cushioning and support for the ankle and ...
... potassium, minerals that are also natural painkillers. Bee stings - is an eccentric remedy, which could be taken by many as a weird way to cure arthritis pain.Strange but true, this is what some German, Swiss and British doctors have found. These doctors regard the venom as a traditional therapy that ...