Do You Have a Dull Achy Pain in Your Hip?

Hip Osteoarthritis And How It Can Affect You

Arthritis in the hip is most commonly experienced as osteoarthritis, known as "wear and tear" arthritis. The hip, or acetabular joint, is a ball and socket joint which is lined with articular cartilage on the acetabular fossa (socket) and covers the head of the femur (ball). This fibrocartilage is a connective tissue that helps to hold the ball in the socket and provides cushioning so the bones do not rub against one another and can move smoothly in the joint.

Osteoarthritis affects approximately 12.1% of the United States population over the age of 25 (approximately 21 million adults). It is a progressive musculoskeletal, degenerative disease that wears away the articular cartilage and underlying bone in your joint(s), triggering chemical reactions within the joint that cause destruction. It can be very painful, it definitely weakens the joint and eventually becomes joint deforming.

Osteoarthritis occurs when this articular cartilage begins to degenerate. To put it more simply, the cartilage in your hip joint gets scraped and worn down. Over time, the head of the femur begins to rub against the acetabular fossa with little or no protection from the articular cartilage - as you can imagine, this increased friction causes a lot of pain. With this added friction, small bone fragments can break loose and float into the joint cavity, causing more aggravation. Space within the joint starts to decrease due to lack of cushioning, and stiffness in the hip becomes more and more of a problem. Eventually osteophytes, a protrusion that develops from the joint cartilage, may form in the hip causing additional pain.

Swelling and excess fluid in the joint are common due to lack of natural protection that the fibrocartilage can no longer provide. This swelling and fluid further limit the hip's range of motion. The hip joint capsule and connected ligaments may then begin to thicken and shrink, and your leg muscles may weaken (atrophy).

Most sufferers report fluctuating symptoms that will worsen or improve over time. Factors that may affect the degree of symptoms of hip arthritis can include weather and/or your level of activity. Osteoarthritis usually develops slowly over the years. Unfortunately, there is no cure for arthritis or osteoarthritis but symptoms can be controlled, deterioration of cartilage can be slowed, and you can find relief from the pain.

Hip Arthritis Symptoms

The symptoms of hip osteoarthritis can differ widely from person to person. This can range from very debilitating and occurring suddenly - to a mild development gradually over time. Sufferers may be experiencing few symptoms - even with obvious degeneration in their hip joint as shown on an X-ray. It is not unusual for someone with hip osteoarthritis to go pain-free for months or even years between episodes of greater pain symptoms.

Hip osteoarthritis symptoms don't generally affect other areas of your body. They are generally localized to one area; however they can affect people in different ways. Some people will only have a problem with 1 side of the hip, others will have it on both the right hip and left hip; some experience gradual pain with little change over the years, others experience vast changes in a short time period. Sometimes the cartilage on one side of the joint will wears out much faster than on the other side.

If you have hip osteoarthritis you may experience the following general conditions:

• Pain in the groin area and front of the hip
• A pinching sensation in the groin when you lift your knee toward your chest
• Stiffness and a persistent ache in your hip joint
• Referred pain on the inside of the knee, sometimes with no hip pain
• Limited range of motion
• Difficulty with some movements (i.e. bending, walking, when standing up from sitting, getting out of a car, and climbing)
• Possible locking in the joint if a tear has occurred in the cartilage

Early Hip Arthritis Symptoms

When you have early osteoarthritis in your hip you generally will experience the following symptoms:

Constant or Recurring Pain or Tenderness - Pain and tenderness in your hip joint can be ongoing and feel like a dull tooth ache pain, or it can be a sharp, throbbing pain with sudden movements. Typically, most hip osteoarthritis sufferers feel pain and tenderness in the groin, buttocks or thigh. If standing or walking, pain may be experienced on the side or back of the hip; the pain may also radiate down the thigh and/or even cause pain in the knee.

Pain is often worse in the morning or evening, or when you move your hip from a sitting to standing position (or vice versa), or when you participate in a prolonged walking or standing activity (non-movement). Changes in weather or different seasons of the year can make a difference to the sensitivity you feel in your osteoarthritic hip (however, hip pain can be experienced in all weather environments). As the atmospheric pressure falls/rises, the nerves in your hip are sensitive and react to pressure changes.

Stiffness will eventually be experienced in the affected hip joint, which will limit your range of motion so that you are not able to move your hips like you once did. This will make it difficult to climb stairs, or get in and out of chairs or bathtubs. This can result from periods of inactivity (morning stiffness, sitting, driving etc.), or after vigorous movement in athletic or work pursuits. Stiffness generally lasts up to 30 minutes however it can persist for longer periods of time. It will often be difficult to use or move your hip joint normally during this time.

Hip stiffness will result in your joint cavity producing extra fluid in the joint. This fluid, which is comprised of destructive proteins and enzymes, cause the cartilage and bones to deteriorate further and will cause swelling in the hip. The surrounding bone reacts by growing thicker. The bone at the edge of your hip joint eventually grows outward and develops into bony spurs (osteophytes).

Your hip joint tries to repair itself by creating osteophytes, however, they generally just make your hip more painful and difficult to move. Your joint capsule and ligaments slowly thicken and shrink, and your hip muscles weaken (atrophy), which in turn create instability in the hip joint (it gives way when you walk or put weight on it).

Swelling in your hip joint can occur immediately if your blood vessels are disrupted because of a traumatic event, or within 12 hours after your joint tissues become inflamed. Swelling over time is a result of synovial fluid filling the joint cavity, as your body tries to protect itself. Warmth and redness that sometimes accompany swelling are normally not associated with osteoarthritis.

Progressive Hip Osteoarthritis Symptoms

As your hip osteoarthritis progresses, you may start to develop the following symptoms:

Deformity and joint enlargement will eventually result as your cartilage degenerates and bones become damaged. Bone spurs, cysts or overgrowths can develop as a result of ongoing hip symptoms due to your osteoarthritis. These are often tender when your skin is rubbed over them; and can result in irritation of other tissues and swelling. This can make it difficult to move your bones and can change the shape of your joint which force the bones out of their normal position and lead to deformity.

Grinding, Popping or Locking - Hip joint grinding, clicking, popping or locking when you try to bend or straighten your hip can result from arthritis, as well as other hip injuries. This can range from being annoying to downright painful and can last a few seconds or be persistent for a few weeks. Joint locking often occurs after long periods of inactivity, when loose fragments may become lodged in the joint. You will often feel a click or snap when it eventually unlocks. Sometimes you may have to manually move or manipulate your hip to get relief. You may experience your hip giving out because muscles in your hip, lower back, groin and thigh have weakened, or you have damaged ligaments and/or tendons in the hip joint.

Difficulties Performing Activities - Functional limitation as a result of osteoarthritis is very common in daily activities, work and/or recreational pursuits. Osteoarthritis makes it very difficult to stoop, bend, kneel, stand more than 2 hours, walk 1 mile, push a heavy object, climb a flight of stairs, lift or carry 10 pounds, sit more than 2 hours, reach above your head and/or grasp small objects (as noted in the figure on the right).

Depression and Anxiety will often be experienced as the osteoarthritis symptoms progress and you start to feel like a hostage in your own body. These often leave you feeling fatigued, irritable, restless, hopeless, and guilty. Your pain and inability to participate in everyday activities may make it more difficult for you to concentrate and make decisions, and your interest in the people and things around may start to decrease. Overall your self-esteem and self-image really decline. However, it is possible to treat osteoarthritis symptoms, so you can start to feel more like your old self and begin to return to the activities you enjoy.

Unfortunately, there is no cure for osteoarthritis but symptoms can be controlled and, for most, you can find relief from the pain. Hip joint replacement, while being a major surgery, is found to be be worthwhile by an increasing percentage of osteoarthritis sufferers. Continual improvement and new techniques in joint replacement surgery are reflected in a steady increase in successful outcomes.

What Causes Osteoarthritis In The Hip?

Arthritis is your hip's biggest enemy, and it can result over time from injury or disease. Osteoarthritis in the hip is common and there are a number of causes that influence your risk of developing it. These can be broken down into 2 types: primary osteoarthritis and secondary osteoarthritis.

Primary Osteoarthritis of the Hip

This is a slow, progressive arthritis condition that usually begins after 40 years of age. It mainly affects weight-bearing joints (like knees and hips) as a result of excessive loads placed on normal joint tissues, or reasonable loads applied on inferior joint tissues. The exact cause is not determined however it is believed to be affected by:

• Family history and/or genetics - The occurrence of osteoarthritis in several members of the same family suggests there is a genetic link in type of arthritis
• Obesity - There is a moderate correlation between obesity and occurrence of hip osteoarthritis, with an odds ratio of 2:1. (Lievense, A.M.Lievense, A. M. "Influence Of Obesity On The Development Of Osteoarthritis Of The Hip: A Systematic Review." Rheumatology 41.10 (2002): 1155-1162. Web. 27 May 2018.)
• Aging - As the water in cartilage increases with age it changes the protein makeup making the cartilage more prone to damage, irritation and inflammation.
• Wear and tear - As your hip joint experiences wear and tear there is a release of destructive enzymes which break down the cartilage to the point where the bones of the hip joint rub together and develop sclerosis (a hardening of tissue) as well as tiny fractures, cysts and bone spurs.
• A Past Fracture or other injury to the hip joint
• Gender - Males are at greatest risk of experiencing the affects of Osteoarthritis before the age of 45, however, by the age of 55, the number of women sufferers surpasses men.
• Lack of activity - Without exercise or activity, muscles weaken and you begin to lack the proper muscle support. This can cause excess load on the knees and hips - or your weight may be distributed unevenly within your hip joint causing damage to occur.

Secondary Osteoarthritis of the Hip

This type of arthritis often appears before 40 years of age. It is the result of a clearly defined cause, such as:

• Acute trauma from a knee injury, loose joints, or joint surgery (bone injury or fracture, ligament, tendon, meniscus or synovial tissue damage), especially if it never healed properly. Osteochondritis dissecans results in fragments of loose cartilage in the joint, and often leads to osteoarthritis.

• Repetitive stress movements or strains that result in excessive bending, excessive walking, or overuse of your hip joint at work or play.
• Blood disorders or joint infections (such as gout or septic arthritis).
• Metabolic imbalances resulting from increased levels of uric acid, calcium deposits, or ongoing use of medications.
• Hormone disturbances as a result of diabetes or growth hormone disorders that affect cartilage wear. Menopause seems to often increases the progression of osteoarthritis.
• Poor bone alignment or posture (your joints don't line up properly) can result in degeneration of the cartilage on one side of the hip. Sufferers of short leg syndrome can be more prone to this condition as this causes imbalanced weight on the knee and hip joints, which can pose problems with instability, dislocation or pain (like a tire that is out of alignment, the treads will wear out on one side of the tire). You can often look at your shoe treads to see if one side of the heel is worn out more than the other to determine if you have alignment issues.

Stages of Osteoarthritis Progression

The progression of osteoarthritis can be classified into 5 stages of severity:

• Grade 0 - Normal, no loss of cartilage or damage
• Grade 1 - Chondromalacia involves early onset of osteoarthritis; softening of cartilage, joint surface stress, and fluid filling the joint cavity. As the condition progresses your knee gets inflamed and swollen, but there is no major joint surface damage at this point.
• Grade 2 - Fissuring, tearing or cracking of joint cartilage; this damage often goes unnoticed.
• Grade 3 - Fibrillation indicates later onset of osteoarthritis; very torn and worn appearance, damaged cartilage covering bone (bone is still in tact). Your damaged joint surface breaks into loose pieces which release enzymes that aid in destructing your joint surface. Up until now minor surgery can help your cartilage to heal.
• Grade 4 - Exposure and damage of underlying bone; major surgery will most likely be required to achieve a significant degree of pain reduction and/or increased mobility..

Diagnosing Osteoarthritis in the Hip

As mentioned previously, the most common form of arthritis in the hip is osteoarthritis; however you can be diagnosed with more than 1 form of arthritis at a time. Medical professionals (such as an orthopedic surgeon or physician) will be able to assess and test whether you have arthritis, and then will determine what type you have through a variety of processes.

To help your doctor achieve a proper diagnosis, he/she will begin with a medical history about you, your current condition and symptoms. They will inquire about the intensity of your present pain, the duration of your symptoms and the limitations you are experiencing. Details about what instigated the problem, when it started, and whether or not you have ever had treatments for this or a similar condition in the past, are very helpful in assessing your injury.

A physical examination will be performed to determine if you have any signs of hip arthritis or other injuries pertaining to the lower back, hip and probably the knees. Your doctor will assess and palpate (feel) the bones and soft tissue in and around both hip joints to evaluate symmetry and recognize differences. This will identify any abnormalities, such as mild or severe inflammation, fluid, bone deformity, and weakened muscles. He/she will press on the injured side of your hip joint to test for point tenderness and help determine the main location of your injury. He/she may ask you to complete a series of knee and hip movements, or rotating your hip to see what motions cause pain, weakness, instability and/or grinding, catching, popping or locking. These sounds or restrictions will often indicate a soft tissue tear and/or arthritis in the knee or hip.

Common Hip Osteoarthritis Diagnostic Tests

A medical professional will often recommend diagnostic testing to obtain more detailed information, and assess the amount and/or type of damage done to your hip. There are a variety of different tests available to help them analyze the situation; however these will be dependent on the degree of your injury.

X-Rays

X-rays provide a two-dimensional image of the overall structure of your hip. They are helpful in identifying loss of joint space, arthritis, abnormal bone shapes such as bone spurs or bone cysts, fractures, and degeneration (wear and tear) on the joint.

X-rays can also be helpful to exclude other possible causes of hip pain and assist the doctor in determining if surgery should be considered for your specific situation.

MRIs (Magnetic Resonance Imaging)

An MRI will provide more detailed information and will help to evaluate the state of soft tissue in and around your hip joint (muscles, tendons, ligaments, cartilage, other connective tissues).

It can identify ligament and tendon damage, and help to determine the extent of your injury, the displacement and degree of soft tissue tears, fluid in the hip, and/or other associated conditions.

Hip Joint Aspiration

Joint aspiration (arthrocentesis) involves withdrawing and analyzing fluid from your hip via needle and syringe. Arthrocentesis will help to determine (1) if there is inflammation and (2) the cause of your joint swelling - gout for example, or some kind of infection. Arthrocentesis can be performed in your doctor's office.

Blood Test

Blood tests cannot diagnose osteoarthritis, but may be ordered to rule our other causes of hip pain, like rheumatoid arthritis.

Arthroscopy

Arthroscopy is used to visualize and repair damage to the hip. A small incision is made in the hip and an arthroscope with a camera is inserted to look inside the the hip joint and assess any damage.

Other Diagnostics

Further diagnostic tests such as CT or CAT scans (computerized tomography) or diagnostic ultrasound can be used to determine the degree and location of your injury if required.

Treatments for Hip Arthritis

The initial treatment for osteoarthritis is reducing the inflammation within the hip joint to relieve your pain. Anti-inflammatory medications can be helpful but be cautious of using them over a long period of time. These medications also affect the organs in your body and can lead to other problems with extended periods of use.

Once your medical professional has diagnosed your osteoarthritic condition, they will recommend the most effective treatment for your hip arthritis based on you and your lifestyle. They will consider your activity level, your age, the location and severity of your hip arthritis, as well as how long you have had it, the symptoms you experience and any other associated hip injuries. The therapy for a 34-year old athletic, working woman will not be the right treatment for a 75-year old retired man. Also, the treatment for a high energy, competitive or aggressive type-A personality, may not be suited to an easy going, relaxed and patient type-B personality.

There really isn't a cure for osteoarthritis. Generally, the focus of treatment is to relieve and control your hip pain and inflammation, slow down your arthritis progression, minimize your hip joint damage and the risks of therapy, maximize your hip mobility and function, improve your muscle strength and control, prevent work disability, and improve or maintain your quality of life.

Conservative treatments are usually recommended in the beginning. However, as your arthritis progresses, treatments that once worked may no longer be effective. Surgical options are used if conservative treatments fail, and your hip damage and pain severely interfere with your daily living. During your recovery, you will probably have to modify and/or eliminate any activities that cause pain or discomfort in your hip area until your pain and inflammation settle.

The best way to manage your hip arthritis is to be one step ahead of the process, combining conventional practices and medicines with alternative treatments, joint protection, patient education, lifestyle changes if required, and self-management (diet, rest, exercise). The more diligent you are with your treatment and rehabilitation, the faster you will see successful results.

People with early osteoarthritis in the hip tend to have higher success rates than individuals with later onset, as their conditions are generally a result of trauma to healthy tissue rather than degeneration over the years. Scar tissue will often develop as a result of injuries once acute inflammation begins to decrease. As your damaged hip tissues heal, this dead, fibrotic tissue will remain instead of forming brand new healthy tissue. Scar tissue adheres to muscle fibers, tendons, ligaments, fascia, nerves, and joints, causing pain and preventing them from moving properly (this limits your range of motion, flexibility and strength).

Reducing stress on the affected joint is a good idea, regardless of the choices you might make to manage your arthritis pain and inflammation. Losing excess weight and/or using a cane can take the pressure off the hip joint which will result in less irritation, inflammation and pain. Resting the hip as much as you can is also recommended to prevent further irritation in the joint.

Although, there really isn't a cure for osteoarthritis you can minimize the symptoms so it is less disruptive in your everyday life. Generally the focus of treatment is to:

• relieve and control your hip pain and inflammation
• slow down your arthritis progression
• minimize your acetabular joint damage
• maximize your hip mobility and function
• improve your hip and leg muscle strength and control
• improve or maintain your quality of life.

Conservative Treatments

Cold Compression

When a tear first occurs or when it is irritated by overuse or re-injury, you experience swelling and inflammation in your hip. Using ice packs to treat your hip reduces pain, swelling, and tissue damage.

Ice packs work by slowing nerve and tissue function in the hip. This is important because once blood vessels are damaged, they can no longer carry oxygenated blood to soft tissue. As this occurs, cells begin to break-down.

TShellz Wrap^® Circulation Boost

Once inflammation and swelling have been reduced in your hip, nourishing and strengthening the tissue in your joint is the goal. Circulation Boost promotes blood flow to the treatment area bringing the necessary oxygen and nutrients to your weakened soft tissue. This increase in blood flow should, in most cases, maximize the ability of the body's natural soft tissue repair process.

Increased blood flow helps whisks away dead tissue and toxins (including lactic acid, commonly found in trigger points) that have built up from the injury leaving the area clean and better prepared for healing. Our Back/Hip TShellz Wrap^® provides effective, non-invasive, non-addictive pain relief with no side effects.

Keeping your hips as healthy and strong as possible throughout the healing process will allow you to get back to your regular activities faster. The benefits of Circulatory Boost do not end once your hip pain stops. A TShellz Wrap^® treatment before activity is an easy way to warm up the soft tissues in the hip to prepare them for use (so they are more flexible and less likely to strain when stretched during activity). End your day with another treatment to prevent tightness from setting in overnight.

During your recovery, you will probably have to modify and/or eliminate any activities that cause pain or discomfort in your hip area until your pain and inflammation settle. With these therapies you will notice great improvement within a few weeks, with most meniscus patients seeing some improvement quickly. The more diligent you are with your treatment and rehabilitation, the faster you will see successful results. If you start using your hip before it has a chance to heal properly (even though it may feel better), you can end up doing a lot more damage than good!

Resting the area of injury, for the body's natural healing process, takes time. Not resting an injury can bring about the issue of an injury not going away (chronic). To repair damaged tissue, the bodies quickest way to heal is to create scar tissue and adhesions - this is good in the short term, but in the long term will be problematic.

The growth of scar tissue and adhesions can lie in any direction. Ultimately what causes stiffening in the tendon and muscle, entrapping a nerve, restricting movement, less elasticity, poor circulation, and flexibility.

Unfortunately, scar tissue may plague you for weeks, months and maybe even years, depending on your level of activity and the amount of conservative treatments you have done during your rehabilitation. Scar tissue is a major problem, especially when it comes to re-injury of your tendon or muscles. When dealing with scar tissue it is always important to:

• listen well to your physician and if conservative treatments are recommended and remember to stick to your (daily) treatment plan using these therapies
• frequent use of the Cold Compress or Ice Pack will help reduce the swelling very quickly. Much of the pain you feel will be from the swelling, and you will be surprised how fast the pain drops off once the swelling is down.
• Consistent use of the TShellz Wrap will promote blood flow to soft tissue in the area (and thereby maximize the body's recovery process).
• when applied before stretching, heat from the TShellz Wrap^® will increase the flexibility of muscles and other soft tissue in the treatment area. This will help improve range of motion and reduce risk of further injury during activity.

Continue the healing process by resting your joint. Limit your movements that may aggravate your strain as this might lead to re-injury. Tendon / Muscle related injuries can easily turn from a grade 1 strain into a grade 2 or a grade 2 into a grade 3 injury.

Whether you want to reduce your risk of further damage to your soft tissue injury, avoid re-injury, or manage pain and increase circulation for lifelong health benefits, we feel that TShellz Wrap^® can provide exceptional results. Why spend time in pain, off from work, and missing out on your active lifestyle when you can be proactive about your injury and the health of your body? Talk to your doctor about incorporating a regular routine of using a Cold Compress or Ice Pack and a Back/Hip TShellz Wrap^® into your everyday health regimen.

A TShellz Wrap^® application is intended to produce the following results:

This, in turn, improves function of the immune system which increases the body's ability to eliminate toxins and other waste by-products resulting from damaged tissue at the injury location. This allows the body to more easily stimulate the self healing process.

Many soft tissue injuries are the result of trauma to a tendon or muscle, usually causing the tissue to tear. As a result of the tear, your body triggers a natural healing process resulting in pain, inflammation, and the creation of scar tissue, then eventually reinforcing that band-aid solution with flexible tissue (proliferation). Increased blood flow will make this process more quick and efficient in the majority of cases.

It is generally accepted that heat will enhance both the flexibility and the extensibility of soft tissue. This is an important point. Many people with achilles, knee and back conditions (to name a few of many) often experience re-injury due to the fact the damaged muscle or soft tissue is tight and the range of motion is restricted. Even the most minor of activities can cause recovering tissue to strain, sprain, or even tear. Every time this happens, your recovery is delayed. This is why using the TShellz Wrap^® not only now, but also into the future, is wise. The TShellz Wrap^® warms tissue, and thereby increases it's elasticity...all without risk of causing further harm - greatly reducing your chances of re-injury.

TShellz Wraps^® applied to muscles and soft tissue that surround the nerves should help them become more loose, as heat is known to increase the flexibility and extensibility of soft tissue. You may find this will alleviate tightness which may have led to nerve compression and the subsequent pain it produces.

Osteoarthritis occurs when cartilage and meniscii degenerate. Over time, two bones in the joint rub together with little or no protection from cartilage. This leads to pain and inflammation in the joint as the space within the joint starts to decrease without the cushioning, and stiffness starts to become a bigger and bigger problem. The TShellz Wrap^® is intended to generate warmth and an increase in blood flow - resulting in less stiffness and better range-of-motion.

Increased blood flow should result in a stronger immune system and an ability for you body to recover from soft tissue injuries more quickly.

Believe me when I say this; words alone cannot accurately describe what the TShellz Wrap^® can do for you. It truly is something you need to experience first-hand.

Conservative treatment tools just like these have been used successfully by thousands of hip injury sufferers - just like you.

We believe the use of TShellz Wraps^® for boosting blood flow to soft tissue in the area of application is one of the most under-utilized home treatment options available on the market today. We have client after client that have tried many options out there and have been amazed at how effective and fast the TShellz Wrap treatment can relieve pain and increase blood flow in the hip.

With regular use of the Back/Hip TShellz Wrap:

• Your pain due to soft tissue strain will be reduced*.
• Due to increased blood flow, soft tissue in the treatment area on the hip will be expected to recover at an accelerated rate. Increased extensibility of soft tissue due to the heat application will also help reduce the risk of worsening the injury while mobile*.
• Tissue in the treated area should experience a larger range of motion and increased extensibility of collagen tissue* due to the heat effect on soft tissue. This should translate into a reduced rate of re-injury occurrence as soft tissue is known to lengthen and become more flexible when exposed to warm temperature. (*Chapter 9 of "Therapeutic Heat and Cold", 4th edition. (amazon.com link - Ed. Justus F. Lehmann, M.D., Williams, and Wilkin)

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During your recovery, you will probably have to modify and/or eliminate any activities that cause pain or discomfort at the location of your soft tissue injury until the pain and inflammation settle. Always consult your doctor and/or Physical Therapist before using any of our outstanding products, to make sure they are right for you and your condition. The more diligent you are with your treatment and rehabilitation, the faster you will see successful results!