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Arthritis and Diseases that Affect the Hip

Many forms of arthritis and related conditions that affect the joint, muscles and/or bones can cause hip problems like pain, stiffness and swelling.

Here are some possible disease-related hip problems.

Osteoarthritis (OA). The most common form of hip arthritis, osteoarthritis is a chronic condition characterized by the breakdown of the cartilage that cushions the ends of the bones where they meet to form joints. In hip osteoarthritis, the cartilage that lines the acetabulum and/or covers the surface of the femoral head breaks down causing the bones to rub against each other. This may result in pain, stiffness, the loss of movement and the formation of bony overgrowths called spurs. Pain from hip osteoarthritis is often felt in the groin area and front of the thigh. Stiffness may be worst after periods of inactivity.

Learn more about osteoarthritis.

Learn how being overweight can increase your risk of osteoarthritis.

Read how race and sex influence hip arthritis risk.

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic inflammatory disease of the joints that occurs when body’s immune system – which normally protects us from infection – mistakenly attacks the synovium, the thin membrane that lines the joints. Symptoms of hip rheumatoid arthritis include pain, redness, swelling and warmth of the affected hip joints. Unchecked, inflammation can lead to hip joint damage loss of function and disability. In addition to the hips, rheumatoid arthritis commonly affects the knees, hands, wrists, feet, elbows and ankles.

Learn more about rheumatoid arthritis.

Juvenile arthritis. Juvenile arthritis is the term used to describe arthritis when it begins before age 16. There are several different types of juvenile arthritis. Many can cause hip joint pain and swelling.

Read more about juvenile arthritis.

Ankylosing spondylitis. Ankylosing spondylitis is a form of arthritis that primarily affects the spine, causing inflammation in the spine that can lead to chronic pain and stiffening of the spine. Often other joints are affected. Aside from the spine, the hip is the joint most commonly affected by ankylosing spondylitis.

Learn more about ankylosing spondylitis from the National Library of Medicine.

Lyme disease. Lyme disease is an infectious disease characterized by a skin rash, joint swelling and flu-like symptoms. The disease is caused by the bite of a tick infected with a bacterium called B. burgdorferi. Lyme disease can affect the hip.

Learn about the effects of Lyme disease.

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kenneth stevons

29 May 2012, 16:21

I have arthritis in my right hip and leg also side groian

angela

23 May 2012, 08:57

i had pain in my left hip for 2 months before i went to the dr. i finally went to the er and my hip was x-rayed and the dr said it is degenerative arthritis.he prescribed mobic for me .it is the obnly medication that gives me relief.e

Lacey

05 May 2012, 01:16

I have severe right hip pain and I've had it for months. The doctors I'm seeing have no idea what's wrong with me, and they keep switching my medication and sending me to different doctors. The newest one is orthopedics, which I haven't seen yet. But my primary doctor is "scratching his head because my symptoms don't add up" so I'm not sure what to do. I have pain anywhere from being able to walk around all day to not being able to get off the cOuch all day. This is terrible! Physical therapy isn't helping at all and due to my job I can't take medication strong enough to help me through the day. My MRI and my X-rays show nothing is wrong and they even did an ultra sound on it. I'm not sure where to From here.

Susan Cartlidge

07 Feb 2012, 03:10

At this moment I'm awaiting xray results on my right hip. I've got pain on my hip bone and in my groin, my right leg feels heavy to lift from the thigh to the knee.
At night if I sleep on my back I have electrical shock sensations down my leg straight to my feet.
An MIR scan showed a bulging disc but this was on the left side.Also they did find odoema on my right hip, when they took a second look ( hence the xray)
Are these symptoms arthritis ?
Also I am epileptic I take sodium valporate and lamotrigin so will the medication affect anything

Shelley

21 Jun 2011, 13:28

In the process of moving, I recently started having left hip pain. Several years ago I met a massage therapist who worked on my left rotator cuff area, as I had been putting off surgery after having the surgery on the right. All symptoms/pain were gone for over 8 mo. after one treatment of Tai massage. Luckily, I was back in Florida 2 weeks ago. And yes we found her again. After an hour of Tai massage on that left hip area, the pain left, instantly and has not returned. I can even sleep in my bed now and can lie on my left side. No more pain, not even when ina car. Tai massage in worth seeking out for severe pain! And still no more surgery!

MARY ANN

11 Jun 2011, 07:01

i have had open heart surgery 20 yrs ago seems fine parkinsons began 8 yrs ago handling it but now my left buttocks has bad pain all the time and cant figure it out my left leg has been shaking much more i sit up to sleep when i can sleep but left buttocks is a killer help dont have a clue why help please

Janet

10 Jun 2011, 19:09

I have osteoarthritis of the left hip where at times the pain would radiate down my left front leg. I am not one to take prescribed medications or over the counter pain relievers, so I went online and looked up natural remedies for this pain. I have included in my daily diet Knox unflavored gelatin. You ca buy this in the jello/pudding aisle of any grocery store. I have been including this in my daily diet for a month and I have no more pain. The movement in my joint is also improved and I am not stiff anymore. Please go on line and simply key in Knox and arthritis and you will see this is an age old remedy with zero side effects. It sure beats taking pain relievers. I noticed after a week of including knox in my diet that pain was beginning to dull and stiffness was going away. Now after a month it is like I have nothing wrong at all! You can drop it in your water or make your own recipes with it. The key is to get it in your system and stick to it. It rebuilds the collegen type 2 that is wearing away at the joint. Give it a shot!!!Hope it works for you too!

Dennis

24 May 2011, 22:28

I have osteoarthritis of the right hip. Xrays show that the cartilege has thinned to the point my bones are rubbing. Other than that the joint looks good. I have pain from 1 to 7 at times.

My question is, Is surgery the only remedy? Where do we stand with stem cell research or cartilege replacement? I would like to find another alternative if it is available.

Ruth

09 Apr 2011, 16:47

Larry, I am not a doctor, but taking all those otc drugs can hurt the lining of your stomach. Have you seen a rheumatologist to discuss your symptoms? You can be candid and express your concerns. Be honest and say that you aren't ready to discuss surgery and see what you're told. Once you're informed it is YOUR decision.

Larry

07 Apr 2011, 08:03

I am having severe pain on my right hip area. This pain radiates down my right leg. My right buttocks feels swollen and is tender to touch. I have been taking extra strength excedrine and arthritis strength tylenol every two - three hours to help with the pain. It is very painful to walk. I am trying to avoid surgery. Is there another medication I can take for the pain. Arthritis runs in our family. I cannot afford hip surgery.

Olivia

23 Dec 2010, 12:26

I had arthritis and bursitis in the left hip and had a total hip replacement. It did take away the pain, but it takes a long time to heal completely. I now have pain (possibly arthritis) in my right hip which may someday require a hip replacement on the right side. I can't believe having so many physical problems since coming to Florida. Do you think it's the high humidity? Or the aftermath of retirement?

Miriam

18 Oct 2010, 20:29

I was told I have mild arthritis. I feel it isn't very mild since I have it on my fingers, elbow,wrist and hips. When I;m sitting and get up, It usually takes a couple of minutes for my to straighten up. Now the doctor says I am getting a shot in my hip area at the end of the month. I have already received a trigger finger surgury, a shot in the bone on my wrist. Do this shots really help, do they do any harm to any other part of the body. Is using hot/cold any good for tired hurting areas? If I'm taking heart meds. are there any med that I shouldn;t take.

Laura Meek

25 Sep 2010, 22:45

Can my Rheumatoid arthritis affect my degenerative disc disease as well and kind of kick it into overdrive or vice versa?

Dorothy Kehoe

16 Sep 2010, 11:32

It could be pain radiating from lumbar discs in the lower back.

Theresa

11 Sep 2010, 20:35

Have you asked your doctor about lidocaine patches? I have the same thing and they helped me at least get off to sleep. I also try to sleep on my tummy with feet hanging off the bottom of the bed. Once I'm asleep, I'm OK for about 6 hrs. After that, it's sketchy. I also take 2 x-strength for Arthritis Tylenol before bed.

We probably will need surgery someday, but I'm trying to delay that eventuality.

Lots of luck.

Feel better,
Theresa

Karen

23 Aug 2010, 12:30

I have arthritis and bursitis in my left hip. It is so painful, it awakens me from my sleep. I am currently going to physical therapy twice per week, for the past three weeks, but nothing yet has helped. I put ice on the hip, do home exercise and walk with a cane. It is one of the most painful forms of arthritis I have experienced in quite some time. I hope to avoid hip surgery in the future

April

23 Aug 2010, 12:13

I agree with Dave. You did not mention Bursitis, which is a very common source of hip pain and swelling for people with inflammatory arthritis.

Dave Hill

23 Aug 2010, 11:52

You didnt mention Bursitis.

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Arthritis and Diseases that Affect the Hip

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