Osteoarthritis of the hip, also called coxarthrosis, is a common problem, especially in older people. Hip osteoarthritis is a condition in which the cartilage in the hip joint is damaged, causing the hip joint to become stiffer, which often ultimately leads to pain. Here you can read everything about coxarthrosis.

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• What is osteoarthritis of the hip (coxarthrosis)?
• How common is coxarthrosis (wear and tear of the hip) in the Netherlands?
• What are the causes of wear and tear of the hip (coxarthrosis)?
• What are the risk factors that can lead to osteoarthritis of the hip (coxarthrosis)?
• What are the symptoms of osteoarthritis of the hip (coxarthrosis)?
• How is osteoarthritis of the hip (coxarthrosis) diagnosed?
• How is osteoarthritis of the hip (coxarthrosis) treated?

What is osteoarthritis of the hip (coxarthrosis)?

Hip osteoarthritis is a common joint disorder in the Netherlands. Osteoarthritis is a degenerative joint disease that affects the cartilage. Cartilage is found in joints and ensures that a joint surface is smooth, allowing good movement. Cartilage is therefore different from bone. In hip osteoarthritis, the articular cartilage in the hip joint decreases in thickness, which is why hip osteoarthritis is sometimes called hip wear. With very serious wear, the bone can even be damaged, the protective effect of the cartilage then disappears. In the hip joint there is cartilage on the round, upper part of the bone of the thigh (the femoral head) and on the acetabulum, which is part of the pelvis (the acetabulum is also called the acetabulum). Together these two parts form the hip joint, a joint in which the femoral head can rotate in the hip socket. In between there is another cartilage disk, the meniscus.

How common is coxarthrosis (wear and tear of the hip) in the Netherlands?

According to the RIVM, approximately 238,000 people suffered from coxarthrosis in 2007 (82,000 men and 156,000 women).

What are the causes of wear and tear of the hip (coxarthrosis)?

The main cause of osteoarthritis in general is age. The older you are, the greater the risk of developing osteoarthritis. In that respect, the term wear and tear of the knee is very illustrative: the longer and more intensively one has used the hip, the higher the risk of developing coxarthrosis.In addition, previous injuries to the cartilage in the hip increase the risk of developing hip wear. Examples of this are a hip fracture with damage to the joint and congenital abnormalities of the hip.Certain professions are also associated with hip osteoarthritis, including the professions of farmer, construction worker and (top) athlete.

What are the risk factors that can lead to osteoarthritis of the hip (coxarthrosis)?

As mentioned, age is the most important risk factor. In addition, movements such as frequent lifting and climbing stairs are not beneficial for the hip and these movements can ultimately lead to coxarthrosis. Previous injuries to the bone or cartilage in the hip joint, congenital abnormalities of these structures, or very poor health or nutritional status are also risk factors.

What are the symptoms of osteoarthritis of the hip (coxarthrosis)?

Because the cartilage in the hip joint is damaged, the movement of the hip joint becomes stiffer. This leads to pain after strain, stiffness and restriction of movement. Wear and tear of the hip often causes pain when walking, climbing stairs and standing for long periods of time. In an advanced stage, the pain is present throughout the day, even during rest. This pain is usually worst in the morning, this is called start-up pain. Depending on the location, the pain is located in different places in the hip.

How is osteoarthritis of the hip (coxarthrosis) diagnosed?

Hip osteoarthritis is often demonstrable on an X-ray. On the X-ray, the reduced cartilage thickness can be deduced from the thickness of the joint space. The less cartilage, the closer the bones are to each other. Cartilage cannot be seen on an X-ray. Another characteristic picture of osteoarthritis is the existence of osteophytes, these are bone outgrowths that often develop at the edges of joint surfaces in osteoarthritis. This indicates an inadequate repair response of the body in response to the osteoarthritis.The connection between indications of osteoarthritis on the X-ray and actual complaints (pain, stiffness and movement restrictions) is completely arbitrary. Some people have abnormalities on the X-ray, but no complaints and others have complaints consistent with osteoarthritis without abnormalities on the X-ray.

How is osteoarthritis of the hip (coxarthrosis) treated?

Various treatments are possible, from pain relief to a total hip prosthesis.