Hip Rheumatoid Arthritis: Symptoms, Causes, Diagnosis, Treatment, Surgery

Medically Reviewed by Dr. K on 19 April 2021

Table of Contents :

1. Hip Rheumatoid Arthritis
2. Symptoms
3. Causes
4. Diagnosis
5. Treatment  
6. Exercise and RA
7. Surgery for Hip RA

Hip Rheumatoid Arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) affects about 1.3 million people in the United States. Women are two to three times more likely than men to suffer from chronic inflammatory arthritis.

RA is most often associated with the hands and wrists, but it may also impact wider joints like the hips, knees, and shoulders.

Hip arthritis symptoms can appear later than RA symptoms in smaller joints.

Symptoms

Symptoms of hip RA include: 

• intense pain
• Stiffness
• swelling
• pressure and stiffness in the thigh and groin 
• Fatigue
• lack of appetite
• discomfort, swelling, and stiffness in other joints 

Symptoms of RA may appear gradually or abruptly.

Causes

RA is an autoimmune condition in which the patient’s immune system attacks his or her own body. Even though the actual cause of RA is unknown, researchers say that the following factors could be involved:

• Genetics
• Environmental factors
• Hormones

Diagnosis

Your doctor will perform a physical exam, take a medical history, and prescribe tests such as blood tests and X-rays to diagnose RA.

Other tests that can aid in the diagnosis of RA include:

• MRI
• Ultrasound
• Bone scan

Treatment

Disease-modifying antirheumatic medications are used to treat RA (DMARDs). These medications may be combined with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and/or low-dose corticosteroids. DMARDs include:

• hydroxychloroquine (Plaquenil)
• leflunomide (Arava)
• methotrexate (Folex, Rheumatrex)
• sulfasalazine (Azulfidine)
• tofacitinib (Xeljanz)

Biologic modifiers, which are often used for methotrexate, are often included in DMARDs. Biological agents include the following:

• abatacept (Orencia)
• adalimumab (Humira)
• adalimumab-atto (Amjevita), a biosimilar to Humira
• anakinra (Kineret)
• certolizumab (Cimzia)
• etanercept (Enbrel)
• etanercept-szzs (Erelzi), a biosimilar to Enbrel
• golimumab (Simponi, Simponi Aria)
• infliximab (Remicade)
• infliximab-abda (Renflexis), a biosimilar to Remicade
• infliximab-dyyb (Inflectra), a biosimilar to Remicade
• rituximab (Rituxan)
• sarilumab (Kevzara)
• tocilizumab (Actemra)

Hip RA may also be treated with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). NSAIDs are available as over-the-counter or prescription medications.

Exercise and RA

Exercise is important for people with RA. Muscles that protect joints are strengthened by exercise; improving outcomes in patients with RA. Exercise also aids in flexibility, crucial in order to avoid painful falls.

Physical therapy will assist you with learning new ways to move that are pain-free and injury-free. Occupational therapy will help you learn better ways to do things around the house like dressing, cooking, sleeping, and cleaning.

Surgery for Hip RA

When extreme pain or joint destruction causes immobility, hip surgery can be an option.

Total joint replacement can be recommended in cases of serious disease. After a hip replacement, approximately 80% of patients are expected to have successful outcomes for 12-15 years. After this operation, the majority of patients experience minimal pain.