Inflammatory Arthritis of the Hip
What is Inflammatory Arthritis of the Hip?
In addition to osteoarthritis, the hip joint can be affected by inflammatory arthropathies such as rheumatoid arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, psoriatic arthritis and juvenile idiopathic arthritis. In these conditions, the body’s immune system attacks the lining of the joint (synovium), causing persistent inflammation, progressive cartilage and bone damage and, ultimately, joint destruction.
Compared to osteoarthritis, inflammatory arthritis often affects both hips, presents at a younger age, and is typically associated with involvement of other joints and systemic symptoms.
Symptoms of Inflammatory Arthritis of the Hip
Patients may experience:
Treatment options
Medical management: the mainstay of treatment is provided by a rheumatologist and includes disease modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs), biologic agents, corticosteroids and anti-inflammatory medications.
Surgical treatment: when joint destruction is advanced and causes significant pain and functional impairment, total hip replacement is highly effective. Careful planning is required because of the often bilateral involvement, bone quality and the effect of medications on wound healing and infection risk.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Hip arthritis usually develops over time rather than from a single cause. The most common reason is gradual wear of the joint cartilage with age. However, many people develop it earlier due to subtle issues with the shape of the hip, when the ball and socket don’t fit perfectly, it creates uneven pressure that slowly damages the joint. Previous injuries, such as fractures or dislocations, can also speed up this process. In some cases, genetics, inflammation, or increased load on the joint (including higher body weight or repetitive stress) contribute.
