Hip Arthrosis

Arthrosis of the hip joints is much more common than of shoulder joints. The hip joints allow the special movements, which enable the erect walking of humans. They bear the load of head, arms and trunk. With every step there is a load on one of the hips, which is three to four times of the body weight. Shock in the hip is absorbed by ligaments and muscles.

There is a thick layer of cartilage on the femoral head and the socket, which requires constant lubrication to slow wearing through motion. In the hip joint arthrosis the cartilage layer has been ground off gradually from the femoral head and socket. This results in severe irritation, where every step is painful. The affected individual tries to conserve the joints by a waddling walk, which reduces the movement between head and socket.

Redistribution of load can cause lumbar pain or referred pain. The restriction in movement also has a strong effect on the psyche.

There is no cure, however there is treatment, which begins with the weight reduction in the overweight, which must be maintained. Warmth, regular swimming and daily muscles relaxation and strengthening can also help.

With the progression of arthrosis of the hip joint comes strong pain and restriction in motion, where only surgical treatment can bring pain relief and restore movement. In these case some type of hip joint prosthesis is implanted. Surgical techniques and implants have been improved over the last years, but these prosthesis last between 10 and 20 years. Because of these limitations in the life of the prostheses, a replacement of the implant will be necessary. These replacements are known as revision. Because of the difficult of these surgeries, the surgery is delayed as much as possible and should not be performed before the age of 60.