Arthritis is a disease that typically worsens over the years, so it is common for treatment to involve more than one approach and change over time. For some people, the lifestyle changes, medications, and walking aids described on these pages help alleviate the pain. For others, hip replacement surgery may be the only long-term solution. Together, you and your doctor can determine the best treatment options for you.
Pacing Your Activities helps protect your joints. This involves alternating periods of activity with periods of rest, so your joints don’t tire from the stress of repeated tasks.
Assistive Devices may help you maintain mobility, while easing joint stress and pain. For example, shoe inserts called orthotics are designed to support, align, and improve the function of your foot. In turn, they may lessen the pressure on your hips. Canes are traditional, “low-tech” devices that can work quite well.
Low-Impact Exercise is important to keep the body moving and flexible. And contrary to popular opinion, when done properly, it will not “wear out” joints or increase osteoarthritis.
Heat or Cold treatments may provide short-term relief from arthritic pain and stiffness. Using cold packs will help reduce inflammation and swelling and may be useful in flare-up situations. Heat will assist in relaxing muscles and increasing circulation.
Physical & Occupational Therapy can help you manage the pain of osteoarthritis.
Medications are used by millions of people to treat osteoarthritis. They range from over-the-counter to prescription drugs, including aspirin-free pain relievers, anti-inflammatory drugs, corticosteroids, disease modifiers, and sleep medications. Nonnarcotic and narcotic pain relievers can also be used. However, some of these can be addictive over time.
Primary care physicians often begin treating osteoarthritis with a simple oral analgesic (pain reliever) such as acetaminophen (Tylenol). If the pain persists, your doctor may then recommend an oral NSAID (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug).
It is important to talk with your doctor about all medications and dietary supplements you are taking or considering taking, even those available without prescription. All drugs have side effects, and some of the medications used to treat osteoarthritis increase the risk of liver and kidney damage. Even nonprescription NSAIDs, such as ibuprofen and naproxen, have potential cardiovascular and gastrointestinal risks.
Injections of hyaluronic acid, a substance that is similar to the lubricating material produced in natural, healthy joints, are sometimes used to provide temporary relief from hip pain. This treatment is approved by the FDA for use in the knee and may provide temporary hip pain relief for some patients, according to some small studies. More research is needed to fully assess this treatment for hip pain sufferers.
Nontraditional—or Alternative Treatments are used by many people who suffer from hip osteoarthritis, although the effectiveness of these treatments is usually not supported by widely accepted scientific research. In addition, herbal and dietary supplements are not regulated by the FDA. Again, because drug interactions and side effects can occur, let your doctor know about every supplement and medicine you are taking or even considering.
Some people with osteoarthritis take vitamins C and D because of their role in the formation of joint material, including collagen and cartilage. Some take vitamin E, a major dietary antioxidant. Glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate, typically used in combination, are the most commonly used dietary supplements.