Osteoarthritis of the hip is a specific form of osteoarthritis that affects the hip joint, causing pain, stiffness, and reduced range of motion. Treatment options include medications, physical therapy, and, in advanced cases, hip replacement surgery. The assessment of the Polygenic Risk Score for hip osteoarthritis is based on the examination of 28 gene polymorphisms.
Genetic testing for hip osteoarthritis is included along with 11 other diseases in the Genetic Screening for Musculoskeletal Diseases, Polygenic Risk Score.
Causes and non-genetic risk factors
The leading cause of osteoarthritis is wear and tear of the cartilage that forms the joints. In addition to genetics, several non-genetic factors have been identified that can increase the risk of suffering from osteoarthritis:
- Age. It is much more common after the age of 50
- Previous injury to the hip joint
- Inequality in the length of the lower extremities
- Obesity or overweight
- Having had developmental dysplasia of the hip, a condition in newborns where the hip joint has not formed correctly
Symptoms
The main symptom of osteoarthritis of the hip is pain. This pain has a gradual onset and worsens over time. It can often be accompanied by stiffness that worsens first thing in the morning or after resting. In addition, there may be a decreased range of motion of the hip that affects the ability to walk, the presence of crepitus during movement, or pain in the groin or thigh.
Prevention
There is no way to prevent the onset of hip arthritis, but measures can delay its onset or slow its progression, such as maintaining a healthy weight, practicing regular physical exercise, improving posture, or avoiding physical activities that impact the area. Many treatment options help relieve pain and improve mobility, including non-surgical options such as lifestyle modifications, physical therapy, or certain drugs, and surgical options for more advanced cases.
