What is Osteoarthritis – Hip?

Osteoarthritis is often referred to as a “wear and tear” disease. It causes the smooth articular cartilage to become rougher and thinner. The underlying bone responds by thickening and growing outwards. The joint capsule also becomes thicker and inflamed.

Symptoms

Osteoarthritis affects 8.5 million people in the UK. It develops over time, causing joints to become stiff, painful and sometimes swollen. There may be pain in the groin, side and front of the thigh or buttock or even in the knee. If severe there may also be a leg length discrepancy.

Treatments

Though the degenerative changes cannot be reversed, there are Orthoses which can help reduce the severity of the symptoms. These include:

• Shock absorbing insoles

• Functional Foot Orthotics to control excess pronation which may be increasing hip pain

• Raised shoe adaptation if there is any leg length discrepancy associated with the osteoarthritis