What Is Hip Osteoarthritis?
The hip is one of the most common areas of the body where an individual is likely to suffer from osteoarthritis. Other common areas of the body include the knee and spine. Typically it occurs in these areas of the body as they are the weight bearing areas. Over many years due to wear and tear, changes start to occur with regards to the joints, cartilage and surrounding soft tissues.
Hip osteoarthritis or wear and tear can start as early as the 30’s and 40’s, however most people are generally in their 50’s, 60’s and above before it starts giving them some issues. Typically one may start to show signs of stiffness and soreness in their joints. In many cases there are individuals who have osteoarthritis and don’t report any musculoskeletal aches and pains, however there are also those individuals who suffer from osteoarthritis in their joints and also present with musculoskeletal aches and pains.
Your osteopath will often be able to identify whether you are likely to be suffering from osteoarthritis of your hip, knee or other joints based on your clinical presentation and following the physical examination. They may sometimes refer you off for further imaging which will show the degree of structural changes. Treatment and management of mild to moderate osteoarthritis typically involves the following:
- Pain management through medication. Often the GP may prescribe some over the counter analgesics to help with pain management. Typically when one feels pain they will often avoid the activity or posture that is associated with the pain. However in cases where one has mild to moderate osteoarthritis, often keeping moving is a big part of the management of the condition.
- Relaxation techniques such as breathing or gentle Tai Chi are great for clients suffering from osteoarthritis. The arthritis foundation has a great deal of information about this and other forms of treatment and management.
- Manual therapy such as osteopathy and physio can be helpful for loosening off tight muscles and helping keep joints moving.
- Gentle activity and exercise such as non weight bearing exercise i.e. hydrotherapy, swimming and cycling can help keep the body moving. Your osteopath will be able to give advice on the best exercise for you to prevent further aggravation of your complaint whilst allowing you to keep moving.
- Gentle strengthing exercises through resistance training can help with improving balance and strength in and around the arthritic areas. Your osteopath will be able to take you through a range of exercises that can be done at home or in the gym.
- In some cases, individuals may require surgery such as a partial or full replacement of the joint. Typically this is avoided or delayed where possible and is prescribed when all other treatment and management strategies are not helping.
How Can An Osteopath At Principle Four Osteopathy Help You?
- Your Osteopath will take a thorough case history and perform a detailed assessment to diagnose your injury and complaint.
Your Osteopath will provide you with a treatment and management plan that is appropriate for your injury and in line with the latest research and evidence for your injury. - Your Osteopath will provide you with a treatment and management plan that is line with your specific goals, whether this be to eliminate pain, work without pain or return to sport or activity.
- Your Osteopath will help identify any potential maintaining and aggravating factors for your injury and provide you with solutions to reduce this. This may include an assessment of how you perform specific tasks and an ergonomic risk assessment of your workstation and suggest equipment or changes to improve your ergonomics.
- Your Osteopath will provide hands on manual therapy that may include soft tissue massage, stretching, dry needling, taping and mobilisation. Find out more about our Osteopathy consultation.
- Your Osteopath will provide you with self management strategies regarding your injury management and prevention strategy. This may include referral to one of our Trusted Professional Network, advice on pain management with ice and rest, assessment and prescription of a stretching, mobility and strengthening program. Find out more about our Functional Movement Screen or Exercise Prescription/Rehabilitation Consultation.
To find out more about these conditions and how you can better treat and manage these conditions, please call 03 9670 9290 or book an appointment online to see one of our osteopathy practitioners at Principle Four Osteopathy.