It is surprising that more people are unaware of the key benefits of conservatively managing the problems of pain and swelling caused by Osteoarthritic changes in the hip joint that in severe cases can cause the joint to deform and erode.
Johan C Jeronimus DC DACNB and Jake Cooke MChiro DACNB from Ealing Chiropractor practice, Neuroworks, explain how, as Chiropractors, they can help patients with Osteoarthritis. They have extensive training in working on the joints and soft tissues of the body and can also help with adjustments to diet and lifestyle and safe and effective exercises that will be of benefit to managing pain and improving mobility.
Their holistic way of working is, for some patients their ‘go to’ treatment of choice. For others, Chiropractic is a helpful adjunct to the prescribed medicines for the management of pain and inflammation from an Osteoarthritis Specialist or their own GP.
Johan and Jake see many patients who need surgery for severe Osteoarthritic changes of the hip. The care that they can give to patients in preparation for the operation and in the post-operative rehabilitation phase is invaluable in helping with a full and speedy recovery.
If you have a diagnosis of Osteoarthritis of the hip, please call your Ealing Chiropractor today on 020 8566 3757 and arrange an initial consultation to discuss the options and alternatives that Chiropractic can offer you.
What Is Osteoarthritis Of The Hip?
For most patients, it begins gradually and worsens over time, affecting the cartilage that protects the articulating tips of bones from impact and friction. Cartilage erodes causing joint pain and stiffness that is very troublesome and can seriously affect mobility.
What Are The Causes?
There are several factors affecting the likelihood of a patient suffering from Osteoarthritis of the hip joint. Some of these are unavoidable, such as advancing age or previous injury. However, many people are surprised to learn that being overweight can seriously increase the risk.
The Obesity Awareness Week run between the 9th and 15th of January 2017, by the National Obesity Forum highlighted this fact, explaining the extra stress that being obese or overweight puts on all the body’s joints.
Symptoms
Patients report a range of symptoms that generally worsen very gradually. Initially, patients might report that one of both hips feel stiff when getting up in the morning or after sitting watching TV, for example. Pain can range from a constant ache to sudden stabbing pains in the joint affected. There may be swelling and soreness in the joint, but possibly the most alarming symptoms are the grinding and crunching noises coming from the hip joint during activity and which are caused by damage to the cartilage as the condition progresses.
How Is Hip Osteoarthritis Diagnosed?
There is no ‘gold standard’ test for Osteoarthritis of the hip, but X-rays are the usual way of identifying the signature signs of the condition. Usually, diagnosis is after a GP examination for the range of motion, pain levels and X-ray confirmation.
Hip Surgery
Total hip replacement involves removing the damaged head of the thigh bone, fitting a metal replacement, and resurfacing the socket into which it fits, lining it with a protective material.
Some patients go for an interim option that preserves the thigh-bone without replacing the ball part of the joint. In this hip resurfacing operation, the joint surfaces eroded by Osteoarthritis are replaced – leaving the way open for a total hip replacement operation in the future if needed.
Why Chiropractic Is Of Benefit
The holistic approach to patient care from a Chiropractor aims to reduce pain and increase mobility for every patient with osteoarthritic changes of the hip. Work on joints and soft tissues is combined with lifestyle and dietary advice and the implementation of a safe and effective program of stretching and strengthening exercises that patients can continue at home.
Patients like the fact that treatments are not invasive, but are conservative and totally drug-free. In patients for whom, being overweight or obese is a factor in their Osteoarthritis, this holistic approach can be especially beneficial and, helping patients to reach and maintain an ideal weight may negate any need for hip surgery or at least postpone it. To discuss your options, please call your Ealing Chiropractor today.
