Hip Pain
Most commonly patients develop hip arthritis. This is a loss of the protective coating of the bone called cartilage. Interestingly patients that often complain of hip pain are actually experiencing buttock pain that may be associated with the lower back or sciatica. Patients with hip arthritis typically complain of deep groin pain radiating to their inner thigh. Their pain is worse when transferring out of a car or going up or down stairs. They may walk with a unique gait where one hip winks to the side with each step.
Unfortunately modern medicine has not had tremendous success with this condition other than replacing the joint entirely. Under certain circumstances of disability this is encouraged. Cortisone often provides temporary benefit and there are few treatments that alter the biochemical environment of the joint and cartilage. The field of orthobiologics is striving to provide more non invasive treatment options.