Osteoarthritis is a disease that involves the wearing away of the normal smooth joint surfaces. This results in bone-on-bone contact, producing pain and stiffness. Even though there is no cure for arthritis, treatments like hip replacement allow patients to enjoy their lives with less pain and better mobility.
Rheumatoid arthritis is a systemic disease because it may attack any or all joints in the body. It affects women more often than men and can strike young and old alike. Unlike osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis causes destruction of the joint through severe inflammation. The body’s immune system attacks and destroys the smooth lining covering the joint capsule, the protective cartilage and the joint surface. This causes pain, swelling, joint damage and loss of mobility.
Trauma-related arthritis results from damage to the joint from a previous injury. It also results in joint damage, pain and loss of mobility.
The Potential Benefits of Hip Replacement Surgery
- Relieve pain
- Improve mobility
- More freedom to pursue everyday activities, such as walking or climbing stairs
Hip Anatomy
A joint is a point where multiple bones meet and work together so that you can perform daily tasks like sit, climb stairs, walk comfortably, etc. The hip joint is described as being a “ball and socket” joint due to the joint’s appearance of a ball (femoral head) fitting snugly in a cup-like socket (acetabulum).
The ball (femoral head) is located at the top of the thigh bone (femur) and the socket (acetabulum) is part of the pelvis. The area where the bones meet is covered by a slick but firm tissue called cartilage, allowing the joint to move smoothly.
As joint disease progresses, the bones begin to rub together causing a rough misshapen surface, sometimes resulting in bone-on-bone contact, producing pain and stiffness.
