Hip Bone Spurs

Bone spurs are usually seen in conditions like arthritis. Joint motion becomes limited due to these spurs. Hip bone spurs cause immense hip pain all along the hip joints. The hip is a ball and socket joint, at the same time it is also a weight bearing joint of the body. Therefore, bone spurs in the hip limit movement to a great extent.

Causes of Hip Bone Spurs
"What causes bone spurs?" is a question you might want to know the answer to. One of the main causes of hip bone spur is osteoarthritis. Due to arthritis the cartilage, which protects and cushions the tissue is damaged. Over a period of time the cartilage wears away. This leads to friction between the bones, which causes thickened growth between the bone, called bone spurs. Sometimes, the bone bulges out leading to the formation of bone spurs.

The other cause of bone spurs is damage caused to the bones. After the damage is done the bone tries to heal itself. It over heals itself leading to the formation of a bony projection. The bony projection or spurs are also known as osteophytes. This bony projection is actually calcium build up.

Symptoms of Hip Bone Spurs
Very often it is noted that bone spurs go unnoticed for a long period of time, until it becomes too late. The most common symptoms of bone spur is inflammation of the joint and the area surrounding the joint. Pain is another symptom. Joint pain is caused especially after performing some activity which puts pressure on the area. The pain is a dull aching kind of pain. This pain starts early in the morning, and worsens after long walks or after sitting in the same place for a very long time, or after some form of activity. Numbness in the hip is also a symptom, which is often seen in hip bone spur patients.

Treatment of Hip Bone Spurs
It is not possible to reverse the effects of arthritis, if detected earlier some non-surgical methods can prove to be beneficial in the treatment of hip bone spurs. The first step is to rest the hip joint. Exercises like cycling, water aerobics, swimming help in the proper functioning of the joint and at the same time they also help in strengthening it. Anti-inflammatory drugs and medication can be used, if the pain is unbearable. If you are on the overweight side, losing weight will help you in tackling the problem. Very often most of us neglect our sleep. It is important that we take sufficient sleep at night to help the body functions repair themselves while you are asleep.

If the problem has spiraled out of hand then you may need the surgical treatment. In this stage, the hip hurts even while sleeping at night. The other symptom is severe deformity caused to the hip. In such a case, two ball and socket replacement surgeries will have to be carried out to replace the hip joint. The surgery will rid you of the pain and also make movements easier. Immediately after the surgery you may require a support to aid you while walking. Physiotherapy sessions will help you in restoring flexibility in the hip and also get your muscles back into shape.

Hip bone spur can cause a lot of discomfort. At the same time since the hip is a weight bearing joint, it is important that you do not neglect the pain and try to avoid the complications which can later arise. With regular exercise and healthy living, you can keep arthritis and in turn hip bone spurs at bay.