Inflammatory Arthritis of the Hip

The details depend on the specific condition. In rheumatoid arthritis, for example, the lining of the hip swells, producing chemicals that attack and eventually destroy the cartilage. Psoriatic arthritis occurs in some patients with psoriasis and can cause painful swelling in the hips and other joints.

In all cases, however, inflammatory arthritis occurs when the immune system attacks itself and causes joints to inflame. We don’t know the exact cause, but genetics seem to play a role.

What are the symptoms of inflammatory arthritis of the hip?

Inflammatory arthritis will cause patients at Alex’s Gloucestershire hip clinic to experience stiff, painful hips, especially in the morning or after prolonged sitting. Activity can often lessen symptoms, but as the disease progresses walking can become more difficult.

Symptoms of inflammatory arthritis of the hip may be centred on the hip joint, but patients often report feeling generally unwell, with fatigue and loss of appetite common. You may also feel feverish.

How do you diagnose inflammatory arthritis of the hip?

Book an appointment at Alex’s Cheltenham hip surgery and your diagnosis will be made through a combination of:

• Physical assessment, to look at the way you walk and your range of motion
• X-ray, to uncover any erosion of the bone; and
• MRI to get a clear view of the state of the cartilage
• Blood tests will also identify markers that indicate inflammatory arthritis

How do you treat inflammatory arthritis of the hip?

You can’t ‘cure’ inflammatory arthritis, but modern non-surgical treatments can often enable patients to control the disease and dramatically slow or even halt its progression.

You may, therefore, benefit from a combination of physical therapy, anti-rheumatic and anti-inflammatory drugs, and corticosteroids.

Will my inflammatory arthritis of the hip require surgery?

It may, particularly if your condition hasn’t been diagnosed early. Where the disease has had time to damage the hip joint, you may need a total hip replacement. In a total hip replacement, Alex will remove the affected bone and cartilage, replacing it with a new metal and plastic joint socket and head. The new joint should enable a pain-free return to everyday activities.

Alternatively, and where the condition is caught early and is limited to the joint lining (and not the bone and cartilage), a synovectomy may help to relieve pain. In a synovectomy, Alex removes the affected part of the joint lining.

Book your appointment?

If your hip joint is sore or swollen, talk to Alex Dodds, hip consultant for Cheltenham, Gloucester and the Cotswolds.