Hip Arthritis Overview and Care Options

This condition occurs when the hip joint itself starts to wear out, causing narrowing of the joint space and inflammation within the joint. This inflammation causes pain, especially when walking and using the hip. The hip wears out due to excessive mechanical load and pressure which, over many years, leads to deterioration. Like a car tyre, if the hip or surrounding structures (such as your lower back) isn't aligned properly, you will get more wear and tear in certain areas.

At Northwood Chiropractic, we see many patients with hip arthritis. Using the gold-standard Gonstead system, we conduct a thorough assessment to identify the root cause of the wear and tear. This is often due to distorted mechanics in the spine, pelvis, and hip, which increase pressure on the joint over time. It can also result from nerve interference between the spine and the hip. Although this wear and tear (arthritis) can't be reversed, the underlying cause can be addressed. This is similar to realigning a car tire—while you can't replace it, you can redistribute the pressure, relieving strain on the injured area and dramatically slowing the wear and tear process. In many cases, this realignment is enough to provide significant relief and slow the wear and tear progression.