Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic, progressive autoimmune disease that primarily affects joints. It can cause significant discomfort, stiffness, and swelling in various joints, including the hips. This article delves into the causes, symptoms, and treatments of rheumatoid arthritis in the hips.
The hip joint, like other joints in the body, can be severely affected by RA. Symptoms typically include severe pain, stiffness, and swelling, often felt in the thigh and groin areas. Alongside these symptoms, RA may also bring general fatigue and a range of other systemic issues.
There are various forms of hip arthritis, such as osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, and post-traumatic arthritis. The causes of each type vary, with age-related wear and tear being the most common for hip joint arthritis.
RA’s progression often leads to symptoms spreading to multiple joints, including wrists, knees, ankles, elbows, hips, and shoulders. Typically, RA affects the same joints on both sides of the body. However, about 40% of people with RA experience symptoms beyond joint involvement, affecting skin, eyes, and other areas.
Inflammatory arthritis affecting the hip can also include other types like Ankylosing spondylitis, psoriatic arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus, reactive arthritis, inflammatory bowel disease-related arthritis, juvenile inflammatory arthritis (JIA), sarcoidosis, and arthritis induced by immune checkpoint inhibitors (a form of chemotherapy).
For more detailed information on rheumatoid arthritis in the hips, including symptoms and management strategies, visit Healthline, WebMD, Medical News Today, Johns Hopkins Medicine, Mayo Clinic, and OrthoInfo – AAOS for comprehensive guidance.
