Osteoarthritis is one of the most common sources of pain in the hip joint. Hip osteoarthritis occurs when the cartilage in the hip wears out or is damaged, and in many cases, this condition happens naturally as people age. Osteoarthritis in your hip can also develop earlier if you’ve injured the joint in a car accident or while playing sports. For people who are wondering what arthritis can feel like, here are three common answers:
1. Painful
The most common way that arthritis makes the hip feel is painful. Osteoarthritis is often responsible for an aching feeling deep in the joint, but it can also cause pains that are sharp or stabbing. Also, the pain from hip osteoarthritis may also be felt in areas like the groin, thigh, knee or buttocks. Many patients report that their pain is worse in the morning after lying in bed all night. Others report feeling more pain after sitting still for long periods of time, and many people with this issue say their pain gets worse after strenuous physical activity. The pain of hip osteoarthritis can also make walking difficult for many patients.
2. Stiff
Another answer to the question “What does hip arthritis feel like?” is stiffness. The hip joint typically can’t move as smoothly when the cartilage is worn away or damaged by osteoarthritis, since the cartilage isn’t keeping the hip bones from grinding against one another. Also, stiffness in the hip can be increased because many hip arthritis patients don’t move around much. The lack of movement leads to weakness and stiffness in the muscles that move and support the hip, which increases overall stiffness.
3. Depressed
Another way that hip arthritis can make patients feel is depressed. After all, issues like this don’t just affect the body; they also affect the mind. Hip arthritis patients could feel depressed because of the frequent bouts of pain they’re dealing with. Stiffness and increased difficulty moving can increase this negative feeling, and this may happen for some patients because they feel less independent. Other patients might have an increased likelihood of depression because they feel they’re a burden to their friends and family.
Whatcom Physical Therapy can make you feel like there’s new hope for your hip arthritis
At Whatcom Physical Therapy, our team has lots of experience treating hip osteoarthritis, and we know it can make patients feel pretty bad both physically and mentally. However, our personalized treatment plans are intended to benefit patients by reducing pain. They’re also designed to decrease stiffness. In turn, the easing of these symptoms can help patients feel more independent and mobile.
Are you ready to see how one of our hip arthritis treatment plans could benefit you? Contact our team today for more information or to schedule an initial appointment.
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