Psoriatic Arthritis Hip Pain: Symptoms, Causes, and Treatments – Healthline

Psoriatic arthritis (PsA) is an inflammatory disease that leads to both pain and swelling in your joints. In most cases, people with PsA develop psoriasis first.

Overall, PsA in the hips is less common than other areas of the body. You might notice swelling and pain in smaller joints first, including your fingers and toes. In fact, its estimated that less than 10 percent of people with PsA will experience symptoms in the hips.

Still, if youre experiencing hip pain and also have certain risk factors for PsA, take note of your symptoms and obtain a diagnosis from a doctor. They can help recommend a combination of medications, natural remedies, and other therapies to help reduce underlying inflammation and improve your quality of life.

If you have PsA in the hips, you may experience symptoms on one or both sides (asymmetrical or symmetrical).

PsA in the hip may include the following symptoms in the affected area(s):

If you have PsA, you may notice these symptoms in other affected joints. Additional symptoms of PsA include:

PsA is an autoimmune condition that develops when your body mistakenly identifies healthy cells as invaders, thereby attacking them. Its also possible to have more than one autoimmune disease at once, such as IBD.

Psoriasis is linked to PsA, and many people with this skin disease go on to develop PsA, with some estimates citing a rate of 7 to 48 percent.

Its estimated that PsA can develop in some people 7 to 10 years afterpsoriasis begins. The mean age for the onset of PsA is 39 years old.

You may also be at an increased risk of developing PsA if you:

Like other types of autoimmune diseases, PsA is more common in adults, though anyone can develop it.

Diagnosing hip PsA may be challenging at first. This is because joint pain and swelling arent unique to PsA. These symptoms may also be seen in rheumatoid arthritis (RA), lupus, osteoarthritis (OA), ankylosing spondylitis, and conditions with inflammatory arthritis.

While you shouldnt self-diagnose PsA of the hip, there are some key signs that differentiate this condition from other types of arthritis. For example, hip PsA may cause pain around the buttocks, groin, and outer thigh, while hip OA primarily affects the groin and the frontof the thigh.

Other conditions that can lead to hip pain may include muscle strains and stress fractures. A dislocated hip may occur from a recent accident or injury.

A doctor can help you determine whether your hip pain is attributed to PsA, another autoimmune disease, or a different condition entirely. They may also refer you to a rheumatologist, a specialist trained in diagnosing and treating autoimmune diseases of the joints, bones, and muscles.

While theres no single test to diagnose PsA, a healthcare professional may help identify this condition based on the following criteria:

Theres currently no cure for PsA. Instead, the condition is largely managed with both lifestyle changes and medications. Depending on the extent of pain and inflammation in your hip joints, your doctor may also recommend therapies or surgery.

If your hip pain is significantly impacting your overall quality of life, your doctor may recommend either over-the-counter (OTC) or prescription pain medications to help you manage your symptoms.

Possible medication options for hip PsA may include:

Other medications may also reduce underlying inflammation thats causing your hip pain. These types of medications are called disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs). Along with reducing inflammation, DMARDs can help prevent PsA from progressing.

While theres no natural cure for PsA, there are natural remedies and lifestyle habits that may help alleviate pain, decrease inflammation, and complement your medications. Consider talking with your doctor about:

Your doctor may recommend physical therapy as a complement to medications and natural remedies for PsA. The goal of physical therapy is to help you move better with PsA in the hip, the focus is to help increase your range of motion so you can walk more comfortably.

Each physical therapy program is tailored to the individual, but can include the following:

Surgery may be an option for severe PsA in the hip that isnt responding to other treatment measures. Your doctor might recommend a hip arthroplasty, also known as a total hip replacement.

A hip replacement is considered a major surgery, so your doctor will determine if youre a candidate based on the severity of PsA, along with your age and overall health.

There are numerous causes of hip pain, including PsA. You may be at an increased risk for developing PsA in the hips if you have certain risk factors such as psoriasis. Its important not to self-diagnose this condition so that you arent treating the wrong issue.

Even if your hip pain is notcaused by PsA, its still important to get a correct diagnosis as soon as possible. Letting diseases or injuries of the hip go can worsen your symptoms, and perhaps even affect your long-term mobility.

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Psoriatic Arthritis Hip Pain: Symptoms, Causes, and Treatments - Healthline