I’m only in my 20’s and my hip hurts!
I have pain in my hip, and I think I have arthritis!
A commonly held belief people have is that as we age, we get arthritis, “just because” we’re older; so-called “primary arthritis.” However, as modern orthopedics has begun to focus on the causes of arthritis it has been found that many of these “just because” problems could be identified early in adolescents and young adults, suggesting that early treatment might delay the onset of end-stage arthritis. This has resulted in a rapid growth in the field of hip preservation.
Femoroacetabular Impingement (FAI):
One of the newest concepts in this area of medicine is the concept of Femoral Acetabular Impingement or FAI. This refers to the pinching of the upper thigh bone (femur) against the hip socket (acetabulum), which can result in damage to the lining of the hip joint (articular cartilage) and the acetabular labrum. The labrum is a ring of fibrocartilage encircling the rim of the hip socket. This very important structure helps maintain fluid balance in the hip, keeping it well lubricated, which in turn prevents the 2 surfaces from touching one another, allowing for friction-free motion. Secondly, the labrum can also increase the depth of the hip socket, making it more stable. Most importantly, the labrum helps create a “suction-seal,” that also significantly increases the stability of the hip joint. In layman’ terms, you might think of the labrum as the “hip gasket.” Damage to the hip joint cartilage and tearing of the labrum can cause pain, degeneration of the hip joint, and ultimately osteoarthritis.
But wait! There’s hope!
Identified early enough, non-surgical management such as activity modification (avoidance of deep squats or lunges), physical therapy, biologic injections and other advanced modalities, can effect meaningful improvement in patients’ symptoms and quality of life.
When nonoperative management is not enough, newer techniques such as hip arthroscopy (a procedure involving a surgical “telescope”), can help treat the impingement, repair or reconstruct the labrum, while also addressing damaged cartilage inside the joint. This is all done through tiny, minimally invasive incisions. This has been shown to have excellent outcomes and will likely prolong the life of you hip joint.
The Whole Human Health Approach:
Along with good nutrition, metabolic health and mental wellbeing, research shows that a comprehensive approach combining both non-surgical and surgical offerings, provides the best of both worlds, true to The Whole Human Health Philosophy.
Bottom line:
- Young people do get hip pain, but not all hip pain means arthritis.
- There are effective treatment options available, and you aren’t necessarily doomed to waiting for a hip replacement to get better.
Make your online appointment today at Health Nexus Orthopedics and Wellness for a consultation and let’s get you moving, feeling better and living your best life.
