When it comes to arthritis, people often think of knee arthritis and tend to believe it is a disease that only occurs in the knees. While it is true that knee arthritis is common, in fact, arthritis can develop in all joints of our body. The human body has about 360 joints, and there are no exceptions. Although the incidence of arthritis is lower in the hip than in the knee, arthritis can also occur in the hip joint. Arthritis, which involves damage and degenerative changes to the bones and cartilage that make up the joint, can cause pain, deformity, and functional impairment, and can occur in any part of the body.

Hip joint arthritis and spinal disc issues have similar symptoms but are completely different conditions

The hip joint is a joint in the pelvic area that connects the pelvis and the thigh bones. Although its range of motion is narrower than that of the shoulder, it is a crucial joint involved in the movement of the leg, including the thigh and calf, and plays a very important role in walking.

The causes of hip joint arthritis are diverse. Increased pressure on the hip joint due to obesity is known as a primary cause of hip joint damage. Poor posture or a sedentary culture can damage the hip joint and surrounding tissues, leading to hip joint arthritis.

Deputy Director Seo Jin-hyeok of the Joint Center at Daedong Hospital (Orthopedic Surgeon) stated, "There is a lack of awareness that arthritis can also occur in the hip joint, so patients often visit the outpatient clinic thinking that hip pain is caused by a herniated disc." Dr. Seo explained, "Both can cause hip pain, but they are distinctly different conditions, so it is necessary to receive a diagnosis from an orthopedic specialist to determine the exact location and cause of the pain before starting treatment." He emphasized, "Since the hip joint, which supports our body and plays a role in walking, can significantly impact quality of life if damaged, it is important to visit a medical facility promptly when symptoms appear."

When osteoarthritis of the hip occurs, a stiff and uncomfortable sensation appears in the hips, groin, or thigh upon waking, and pain occurs during movement, which improves with rest. Because of this, it is easy to neglect and leave untreated; however, if left untreated, hip osteoarthritis can lead to joint contracture or worsening inflammation, and even rest will not alleviate the pain. When the condition worsens and the cartilage is completely worn away, the bones come into direct contact, causing severe pain, and movements such as rotation and flexion of the hip may become restricted. If pain causes a person to avoid movement, the muscles responsible for joint movement weaken, leading to a limp when walking.

◇May require surgery depending on severity

Treatment for hip joint arthritis is not significantly different from treatment for arthritis in other joints. In the early stages, it is recommended to avoid excessive use of the hip joint, rest, and use medications such as anti-inflammatory painkillers, as well as heat therapy and physical therapy. For obese patients, weight loss should be pursued, and joint function should be maintained under medical supervision. Exercises such as swimming or indoor cycling that can strengthen muscles are helpful.

If pain persists despite conservative treatment, surgical intervention may be considered. Director Seo Jin-hyuk stated, "In relatively early stages, removing and fixing the damaged cartilage and bone tissue through surgery can lead to improvement," and "If the damage is severe, artificial joint surgery can restore normal function." He added, "Recently, advances in medical technology have led to an increase in cases where elderly patients undergo artificial joint surgery to improve walking ability and enhance quality of life."

Meanwhile, to prevent arthritis, including in the hip joint, it is necessary to control weight to avoid obesity, maintain joint range of motion through appropriate exercise, and strengthen muscles. Repeating excessive movements or adopting incorrect postures can cause degenerative changes, so they should be avoided.

Managing eating habits is also important. Be cautious if you eat salty foods or consume a lot of caffeine, as calcium may be lost. It is essential to consume a balanced intake of nutrients such as calcium, vitamin D, and vitamin K, which positively affect bone density.

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Hip joint -> I’ve never heard of arthritis before..

Obesity is the biggest enemy.

Caffeine can cause calcium loss.

I also drink one glass a day.