Osteoarthritis & Hip Replacement

The normal hip joint is a ball and socket joint. The socket is formed by part of the pelvis called the acetabulum. The ball is formed by the upper part of the thigh bone called the femoral head. Together, they provide good stability and range of motion, allowing a wide range of activities in most people.

A wide range of conditions can afflict the hip joint, the most common of which is osteoarthritis in the above-50 age group. Osteoarthritis causes pain and stiffness, usually progressive in nature, and this can often result in significant restriction in activity. Osteoarthritis is often predisposed to by:

• Dysplasia of the hip which is a deformity of the hip joint early in life, and
• Avascular necrosis of the femoral head, which may occur in persons on long term steroids, heavy drinking, with previous hip trauma or with certain systemic conditions.

However, often the cause of the arthritis is unclear, though occupations requiring heavy lifting, farming, and elite sports activity have been shown to be associated with increased rates of hip osteoarthritis.

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Expert Author:

Dr David Paul Bell, Island Orthopaedic Consultants