Question: my mum had arthritis and had to get her hip replaced.. what is arthritis?

Kirsty Ross answered on 19 Jun 2012:

I’m sorry your mum had to get her hip replaced.

Arthritis is a common condition that causes pain and inflammation within a joint. In the UK, around 10 million people have arthritis. The condition affects people of all ages including children. There are many different symptoms of arthritis and the symptoms you experience will vary depending on the type of arthritis you have. However, common arthritic symptoms include:
• joint pain, tenderness and stiffness
• inflammation in and around the joints
• restricted movement of the joints
• warmth and redness of the skin over the affected joint
• weakness and muscle wasting

There is no cure for arthritis but there are a number of treatments that can help slow down the condition’s progress.
Medication can help relieve the symptoms of arthritis. In severe cases, surgery may be recommended.
For osteoarthritis, analgesics (painkillers), non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and corticosteroids are often prescribed. In severe cases, surgery may be recommended such as:
• arthroplasty (joint replacement)
• arthodesis (joint fusion)
• osteotomy (where a bone is cut and re-aligned)
The aim in treating rheumatoid arthritis is to slow down the progress of the condition and minimise joint damage. Recommended treatments may include:
• analgesics (painkillers)
• disease modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs)
• physiotherapy
• regular exercise

Your mum probably had her hip removed as the drugs no longer helped and the damage to the bones of the joint was too bad. She shouldn’t have any more trouble with arthritis in that joint anymore.