Osteoarthritis
The most common type of arthritis is osteoarthritis. It is estimated that anywhere between 20 million to 27 million Americans are afflicted by osteoarthritis. This type of arthritis can damage any joint in the body, but it commonly affects that joints that are used in daily life, such as the knees, hips, hands, and spine. Because osteoarthritis is progressive and has no cure, those who develop osteoarthritis earlier in life can expect symptoms to worsen as they age.
When osteoarthritis occurs in the hip, the cartilage within the hip joint wears away. As the cartilage disintegrates, the space between the ball-and-socket joint and bones narrows, eventually leading to bone rubbing on bone. Depending on how advanced the osteoarthritis is, pain can range from a dull ache to a sharp stab. However, most people also experience pain and stiffness in the hips that worsens with activity and improves with rest.
