Osteoarthritis (OA), is a common condition that usually presents in people 50 years of age and older. OA is often a result of “wear and tear” that occurs within the joint and affects the articulate cartilage. Over time the cartilage will degenerate and gradually decrease becoming rough and frayed. As a result the joint space will narrow and the two bony surfaces will run against each other. This will often result in bone spurring and inflammation ultimately causing pain and stiffness. Pain can present in the groin, front of the thigh to the knee and/or buttock. OA in the hip can cause difficulty performing normal daily activities such as bending over to tie a shoe, getting up from a chair, or taking a walk. Early medical intervention including Physical Therapy (PT) can help to manage the symptoms of OA and in some cases even slow the degenerative process. PT will include manual therapy to address pain and soft tissue restriction while supervised exercise will focus on mobility and strength.
