Fortnightly Review: Management of hip osteoarthritis

BMJ 1995;311:853-857 (30 September)

Education and debate

Paul Dieppe, ARC professor ^a

^a Rheumatology Unit, Department of Medicine, Bristol Royal Infirmary, Bristol BS2 8HW

Summary points

Hip osteoarthritis is a common cause of regional pain, but care must be taken when making the diagnosis
Patients should be encouraged to live as normal a life as possible: a healthy lifestyle (keeping slim and active) is also good for joints
Common treatable difficulties that can arise from hip osteoarthritis include problems with dressing, sexual difficulties, and inadequate foot care
Shock absorbing shoe insoles and walking sticks can be of great benefit, while physio- therapy and hydrotherapy should be considered for more severe cases
If drugs are used simple analgesics such as paracetamol should be considered before non- steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs
Joint replacement should be considered for patients with severe pain or disability and if the disease has a major impact on work or social activities

Dahaghin, S, Bierma-Zeinstra, S M A, Ginai, A Z, Pols, H A P, Hazes, J M W, Koes, B W (2005). Prevalence and pattern of radiographic hand osteoarthritis and association with pain and disability (the Rotterdam study). Ann Rheum Dis 64: 682-687 [Abstract] [Full text]
Woolhead, G. M., Donovan, J. L., Chard, J. A., Dieppe, P. A. (2002). Who should have priority for a knee joint replacement?. Rheumatology (Oxford) 41: 390-394 [Abstract] [Full text]