What are the symptoms of hip arthritis?

Pain in the hip and therefore restricted mobility are symptoms which bring patients with hip arthritis to us. Initially symptoms only occur during prolonged or strenuous exertion: The joint hurts when going on long walks, when climbing stairs or walking on uneven ground.

Once the joint cartilage has started to degenerate, the joint becomes more worn with each step – the joint behaves in a similar way to a car tyre „out-of-round&Idquo; So the initial pains occur more frequently and sooner.

Symptoms: Start-up pain and rubbing noises.

Initially the pain hurts only when going for long walks. Even later when sitting on the sofa. Arthritis expresses itself primarily by pain and associated restrictions in mobility.

In the case of arthritis of the hip so-called „"start-up pain" occurs&Idquo;: After long periods of inactivity, for example after a cosy evening watching television, patients with hip arthritis cannot get up quickly out of the armchair. They must first of all „"warm up"&Idquo; extend and stretch their joints in order to be able to move without any pain. In the advanced stages of arthritis of the hip patients frequently complain about fatigue pains and pains when the joint is completely at rest. Depending on the degree of wear it is possible to hear rubbing noises when walking. Some patients can no longer perform certain movements and show signs of 'catching' in the joint.

Concomitant symptom: Back pain from abnormal postures.

Frequently postures adopted to avoid discomfort or abnormal weight-bearing also cause adjoining joints to be drawn in 'in sympathy'. In the case of hip arthritis these are primarily the sacroiliac joint and the knee joint. Abnormal postures also often cause damage to the back in the lumbar spine. In the advanced stages of arthritis therefore back pain may also be a lead symptom.