Hip Arthritis Treatments

Patient holding hip in pain while sitting

Hip Arthritis Treatment in Hoover and Birmingham, Alabama

Arthritis is a condition caused by accumulated wear and tear on the joints. It typically becomes worse as people grow older, causing increasing symptoms such as pain, inflammation, and stiffness. Though it is most common in adults over 65, people of all ages may suffer from this often debilitating condition.

Southlake Orthopaedics is a multi-specialty practice with locations in Birmingham-Grandview and Hoover, AL, serving patients with complete orthopedic care. Our board-certified physicians provide every level of care, from diagnosis to rehabilitation, to help hip arthritis patients maintain a high quality of life.

Hip Arthritis Symptoms

Symptoms of hip arthritis are centered around the hip joint, though patients with more widespread arthritis may experience pain elsewhere in their body as well. Common signs include:

  • Pain
  • Limited range of motion
  • Hip instability
  • Difficulty walking
  • Joint stiffness
  • Grinding noises during movement

Depending on the type of arthritis, some patients experience symptoms in inconsistent waves or flare-ups. Others may feel symptoms all the time. All types of arthritis, however, are chronic. This means that pain will not go away by itself. Even flare-ups will eventually return when trigger conditions are met.

Patient holding hip in pain while walking

Hip Arthritis Causes and Risk Factors

One of the main causes of arthritis is age. The condition appears because of wear and tear accumulating in the cartilage surrounding a joint. Cartilage acts as a shock absorber and lubricant to help the hip function smoothly. As the cartilage breaks down, the bones eventually begin to rub against one another. This friction is what causes most symptoms of arthritis.

While anybody may develop arthritis, certain risk factors increase the likelihood. These include:

  • Age over 65
  • Obesity
  • Diabetes
  • High cholesterol
  • Certain autoimmune diseases

Arthritis is among the most common orthopedic conditions. Studies suggest that over one-third of Americans have some degree of arthritis in their joints, and half of adults will develop osteoarthritis at some point.

Diagnosing Hip Arthritis

For individuals experiencing joint pain and inflammation, the first step is to schedule an appointment with a primary care physician. This doctor will assess the condition and, when necessary, patients will be referred to a specialist like Southlake Orthopaedics. We will confirm the diagnosis through means such as:

  • Imaging tests: X-rays can produce a clear image of bones and cartilage.
  • Blood work analysis: A blood test may be used to check for certain antibodies that may be related to rheumatoid arthritis.
  • Inflammation evaluation: This test looks for inflammation in the joints and blood.
Doctor diagnosing patient with hip arthritis

Treatment Procedures for Hip Arthritis

Once we have determined the cause of a patient’s pain, we will recommend the optimal treatment plan. Our main objective is to reduce pain and prevent future damage to the cartilage. Southlake Orthopaedics offers treatment procedures such as:

  • Steroid injection: By injecting steroidal medication directly into the joint, doctors can relieve pain and inflammation for up to several weeks.
  • Joint replacement or fusion: This surgery eliminates severely damaged cartilage and either fuses the bone together or replaces it with an artificial implant.

Meet Our Team

At Southlake Orthopaedics, all treatment is administered by board-certified, multi-specialty physicians. They provide complete and personalized orthopedic and sports medicine services to help patients find lasting relief. Our arthritis doctors include:

Find Arthritis Treatment in Alabama

For patients struggling with symptoms of hip arthritis, Southlake Orthopaedics offers lasting relief. We deliver complete orthopedic care to help patients experience less pain and more living. Located in Birmingham-Grandview and Hoover, AL, we offer comprehensive orthopedic services. Contact us to learn more about our arthritis treatments or to schedule an appointment for diagnosis.