Understanding the Connection: Can Hip Arthritis Cause SI Joint Pain?

Arthritis is a leading cause of hip pain. Arthritis is a progressive illness, which means it usually develops gradually and worsens with time. Arthritis literally means “inflammation of the joint.” 

One bad thing about inflammation in one joint is it spreads to the other joint and causes severe pain. Let’s know about Hip arthritis and SI joint pain and the relation between them.  

What is Hip Arthritis?

Hip arthritis occurs when the cartilage in the hip joint wears out or is injured, causing the bone surfaces of the joint to grind together and become rough. This causes discomfort and stiffness, making it difficult to move your leg.

Hip arthritis can take many forms, but they all entail cartilage loss in the hip joint, which eventually leads to bone grinding on bone and joint destruction.

Causes

People with arthritis may have hip stiffness and reduced motion as a result of cartilage degeneration. People may experience a catching or clicking feeling within their hips. The discomfort frequently worsens when the hip joint is stressed from walking long distances, standing for an extended period of time, or climbing stairs. The pain is typically felt in the groin, although it can also be felt on the side of the hip, in the buttock, and occasionally in the knee. 

Symptoms 

Hip arthritis typically develops in persons in their 60s and 70s. This changes according to your weight, exercise intensity, and the nature of your individual hip joint. Arthritis can be caused by a variety of circumstances, including normal wear and tear, inflammatory illnesses like lupus or rheumatoid arthritis, infections, or injuries.

What is SI Joint Pain?

The sacroiliac joints are positioned in the lower back, where the sacrum and ilium connect. The sacrum is a triangle-shaped bone at the base of your spine, immediately above your coccyx, or tailbone. The ilium, one of the three bones that comprise your hip bones, is the highest part of your pelvis.

The SI joints distribute the weight of your body across the pelvis. They work as a shock absorber, reducing the pressure that movement places on your spine. When the bones of the SI joint are out of position, or when the cartilage breaks down and the bones come into contact, it can be painful.

Causes

Causes of sacroiliac joint problems include:

• Injury: A sudden impact, such as a car accident or a tumble, can injure the sacroiliac joints.
• Arthritis: Wear-and-tear arthritis, often known as osteoarthritis, can affect sacroiliac joints. Ankylosing spondylitis is a kind of arthritis that affects the spine.
• Pregnancy: The sacroiliac joints relax and stretch during labor. During pregnancy, the increased weight and altered walking pattern might put stress on these joints.
• Infection: A sacroiliac joint may become infected on rare occasions.

Symptoms

Lower back pain is the most prevalent symptom of sacroiliitis. The discomfort might be:

• It Gets worse after sitting or standing in the same position for an extended period of time.
• It gets worse as you turn or rotate your hips.
• Feel sharp and stabbing. You may also experience a more continuous dull aching.
• Radiate (spread) from your lower back to your buttocks, hips, and thighs.

People with sacroiliitis frequently feel stiff first thing in the morning. It is normal to feel stiff after sleeping or sitting in one position, but the stiffness caused by sacroiliitis typically lasts longer than an hour each time you wake up.

Can Hip Arthritis Lead to SI Joint Pain?

As a synovial joint, sacroiliac joints can be impacted by any arthritic ailment that affects other joints, such as the hips and knees. These conditions include osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, gout, ankylosing spondylitis, and so on. The sacroiliac joint can also be damaged by post-pregnancy instability and modest pelvic injuries during difficult childbirth. Sacroiliac joint dysfunction is also frequent as a result of blunt damage to the pelvis and low back, particularly from a mechanical fall. These joints can also become uncomfortable as a result of subsequent involvement or arthritis caused by high velocity pelvic ring injuries. More recently, sacroiliac joint difficulties have been linked to previous hip surgery, namely fusion of the lower lumbar spine due to subsequent stress transfer.

Treatment Options

Hip arthritis can be addressed in a variety of methods, depending on the severity of the arthritis and your age, including any or all of the following:

• Conservative care
• Pain management
• Losing weight might lower the stresses on your hip joint
• Change your activities to avoid tension on your hip
• Using assistance aids, such as a cane in the opposite hand
• Surgery
• Hip replacement

Do it yourself to get rid of hip arthritis

Following activities can help you to ease the symptoms of arthritis, You can do it at your home by yourself. 

• Stay active: When your arthritis bothers, you may want to avoid exercise. However, several studies have found that physical activity is one of the most effective methods to improve your quality of life. Exercise increases your energy. It can also strengthen your muscles and bones while keeping your joints supple.

• Eat a balanced diet: According to studies, several kinds of minerals can help relieve arthritis symptoms. Foods high in vitamin C, particularly fruits and vegetables, may assist. Fish and fish oil include omega-3 fatty acids, which may help reduce pain. 

• Lose eight: Being overweight puts unnecessary strain on weight-bearing joints such the knees, spine, hips, ankles, and feet. Weight loss can help alleviate arthritic symptoms.

• Sleep well: A good night’s sleep can help you deal with the pain and stress of arthritis. To improve your sleep quality, try going to bed at the same time every night. 

• Talk to your doctor: Share your improvement and current situation to a good and experienced doctor. Follow his instructions and the process to get rid of it.

Conclusion

It’s really important to grasp how hip arthritis and SI joint pain interact because it can make a big difference in managing these issues and feeling better overall. Whether you’re dealing with symptoms from hip arthritis or SI joint problems, getting diagnosed early and finding the right treatment is crucial. There are different approaches, from simpler treatments to more serious ones like hip replacement surgery, that can help ease pain and get you moving comfortably again. Dr. Joe can be a great solution to your joint health. So, schedule a consultation with us today to find personalized treatment options that fit your needs and lifestyle.