Osteoarthritis of the Hip: Can Orthobiologic Treatment Help?

Osteoarthritis is a common form of arthritis that, left untreated, can cause chronic pain, limit mobility, and affect overall quality of life. It can develop in any worn joint, with the hip joint being one of the most commonly affected areas.

Treatment for hip osteoarthritis can range from medication, therapy, surgery, or a combination of lifestyle modifications. However, as medical experts find new ways to treat ailments, orthobiologic treatment is becoming popular among patients. If you’re interested in learning more about orthobiologic therapy as part of your treatment, here is what you should know.

What is Osteoarthritis of the Hip?

A patient develops osteoarthritis when the cartilage – the connective tissue that protects joints by acting as a shock absorber and making movement smoother – wears out for various reasons. This exposes and rubs the bones against each other, causing friction and pain during movement.

When it comes to the hip, the affected bones are one or both of the femurs (thigh bone) and the acetabulum (the sockets in the hip bone). This could lead to inflammation, bone spurs, and other symptoms common with osteoarthritis, which can affect your quality of life. Patients can experience symptoms such as:

• Pain in the hip, groin, and thigh area, especially after prolonged sitting, standing, or laying down
• Stiffness in the hip that’s making it difficult to move or rotate the legs
• Crepitus, or an audible sound when moving the hips or legs

What Causes Hip Osteoarthritis?

Many osteoarthritis patients are older adults with primary osteoarthritis that develops due to regular wear and tear. As people age, parts like their cartilage will eventually wear down until it can no longer protect the bones. However, younger patients can also develop osteoarthritis of the hip from lifestyle habits that overuse the hip joint and wear the joint early.

Osteoarthritis of the hip can also be secondary, caused by injuries and trauma that damages the joints and leads to osteoarthritis. This could be caused by:

• Sports injuries
• Falls
• Traumatic events such as car accidents
• Inflammatory arthritis, such as gout and rheumatoid arthritis

Anyone can develop arthritis. However, certain individuals have a higher risk of developing hip osteoarthritis:

• Adults over the age of 55
• Obese and overweight individuals
• Patients with autoimmune diseases
• Athletes
• People who work high-activity jobs
• People born with joint malformations, cartilage defects, and other genetic issues.

What Are the Possible Treatment Options for Hip Osteoarthritis?

Cartilage cannot naturally regrow, so most patients with hip osteoarthritis will need treatments that manage their symptoms. This can include:

• Medication: Patients can take over-the-counter pain relievers to manage the pain and inflammation from osteoarthritis. Your primary care doctor may also recommend topical pain relievers, such as creams and patches, to place near the affected area.
• Physical Therapy: A combination of low-impact exercise and physical therapy could strengthen muscles and relieve stiffness.
• Assistive Devices: Patients may use braces, canes, walkers, and other assistive devices to manage their mobility. They may also install fixtures and devices in their home to make movement and daily tasks more manageable.
• Surgery: Often reserved for severe cases, patients may undergo arthroplasty or joint replacement surgery.

More medical professionals are seeing the benefits of orthobiologic treatment for conditions such as hip osteoarthritis. This can be used independently or in combination with other treatment options.

What Is Orthobiologic Treatment?

Orthobiologic treatment involves using natural substances from the patient’s body to help relieve pain and assist a body’s natural healing abilities. It is also known as orthopedic regenerative medicine. Under orthobiologic treatment, osteoarthritis can be treated using either stem cells, platelet-rich plasma, or a combination.

Stem cell therapy involves extracting stem cells from the patient’s bone marrow and then applying them to the damaged cartilage. This could help create newer tissue through the transformation of stem cells.

On the other hand, alternative therapy involves extracting blood from a patient and then processing the blood to isolate the platelets from the other blood components. The plasma is then injected into the affected joint. Platelets have regenerative and repairing properties, so they can help repair damaged tissue and reduce pain.

Both these treatments aim to reduce joint pain, improve mobility, and manage your condition before exploring more invasive options, such as hip replacement surgery.

What Are the Benefits of Orthobiologic Treatment?

Many patients have reported encouraging results from adding regenerative therapies to their treatment plans. Of course, patient results can vary due to several factors, though treatment is promising as it can offer the following benefits:

• Less Invasive Pain Management : This is a less invasive option than surgery, reducing the need for downtime or the risk of post-surgical complications.
• Reduced Risk of Allergic Reactions: Autologous cells are made from your own body material. This reduces the risk of adverse reactions compared to oral or injectable medication.
• Regeneration: Orthobiologic treatments can stimulate the production of new cells and tissues, helping to repair or replace damaged cartilage.
• Compatibility with Other Treatments: These treatments can be used on their own or combined with a personalized treatment plan.
• Long-Lasting Results: Unlike pain relievers that offer short-term relief, these treatments tackle the underlying issues causing pain. This can lead to longer-lasting results.

Explore the Benefits of Orthobiologic Treatment with Chicago Stem Cell

Osteoarthritis of the hip can significantly impact your quality of life. If traditional treatments have had little effect on managing your symptoms, you may benefit from the recent advancements in regenerative medicine. Orthobiologic treatment options have shown promise in regenerating lost cartilage and managing the discomfort of joint pain.

If you want to explore regenerative medicine as a solution, Chicago Stem Cell can assist you. With experienced orthopedics and regenerative medicine specialists, we have helped many patients manage their conditions and achieve fulfilling, pain-free lives.

Schedule your appointment today by calling (630) 920-2323 or request an appointment online.