Osteoarthritis of the hip fundamentals Osteoarthritis is a
condition caused by the breakdown of the cartilage that
surrounds and protects the ends of the bones in the hip joints.
Not only does the cartilage around the joints act as a shock
absorber, but it also prevents the bones from crushing other
bones and causing pain. It is the most common form of arthritis,
affecting approximately 16 million Americans. Osteoarthritis is
also referred to as degenerative joint disease. Osteoarthritis
is not just limited to the hip, but can also appear in the
knees, hands and other weight-bearing joints. Symptoms of
osteoarthritis typically develop before age 45 in men and after
55 in women, though it is more common for people over the age of
65. In addition to osteoarthritis of the hip, men can develop it
in their knees and spine, and women can develop osteoarthritis
in their hands and knees. What causes the pain? Osteoarthritis
is caused by both primary and secondary factors. Primary
osteoarthritis is linked to old age w