Degenerative Joint Disease

What is Degenerative Joint Disease or DJD of the hip?

There are different types of DJD that may cause hip pain. These include but are not limited to:

• Osteoarthritis (OA), also called “wear and tear arthritis”, in which cartilage wears down over time Post-traumatic arthritis, which results from a severe fracture or dislocation of the hip
• Rheumatoid arthritis (RA), an inflammatory arthritis of the joints
• Avascular necrosis (AVN), a condition where the “ball” or femoral head has lost its healthy supply of blood flow causing the bone to die and the femoral head to become misshapen
• Hip dysplasia, a condition where bones around the hip did not form properly, which may cause misalignment of the hip joint

What causes DJD of the hip?
The risk of developing symptomatic DJD is influenced by multiple factors such as age, gender, and inherited traits that can affect the shape and stability of your joints. Other factors can include:

• A previous hip injury
• Repetitive strain on the hip
• Improper joint alignment
• Being overweight
• Exercise or sports-generated stress placed on the hip joint

What are the symptoms of DJD?

• Pain while standing or walking short distances, climbing up or down stairs, or getting in and out of chairs
• Pain in the groin, thigh, or buttock area
• The affected hip feeling stiff or tight due to a loss in its range of motion
• Joint stiffness after getting out of bed
• Any signs of limping and/or favoring the opposite leg as to not put any weight on the affected hip joint