There are no live seminars scheduled, but we want to remind you that the entire educational seminar "Joint Arthritis - What's New, What Works" is available for viewing online, either in its entirety or in segments.

Approximately 1 in 4 people develop osteoarthritis of the hip over the course of their lifetime. Osteoarthritis (OA) is sometimes referred to as degenerative, or wear-and-tear, arthritis. It affects the articular cartilage in your hip. Articular cartilage is the smooth lining that covers the surfaces of the ball-and-socket joint of the hip. When the articular cartilage degenerates, or wears away, the layer of bone just beneath it, called the subchondral bone, is exposed, creating a "bone on bone" condition in the hip. Hip alignment problems, hip injuries, medical conditions affecting the subchondral bone, and even genetics can contribute to the development of OA.

The symptoms of hip OA usually begin as pain while putting weight on the affected hip. You may limp, which is the body's way of reducing the amount of force that the hip has to deal with. The changes that happen with OA cause the affected hip to feel stiff and tight due to a loss in its range of motion. Bone spurs will usually develop, which can also limit how far the hip can move. Finally, as the condition becomes worse, pain may be present all the time and may even keep you awake at night.

The diagnosis of hip OA starts with a complete history and physical examination. X-rays will be required to determine the extent of the cartilage damage and suggest a possible cause for it. Other tests may be required if there is reason to believe that other conditions are contributing to the degenerative process. Blood tests may be required to rule out systemic arthritis or infection in the hip.

There is no cure for OA, but therapies are available to ease symptoms and to slow down the degeneration of the joint. Some lifestyle changes may be in order, as excess weight will exacerbate the condition. Regular exercise will alleviate some of the symptoms.  The non-surgical treatment options for hip OA include non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medicines (NSAIDS like ibuprofen or acetaminophen); cortisone injections; physical therapy and the use of mechanical aids such as canes or walkers.

We begin with the least intrusive of these remedies, recommending hip replacement surgery only when your OA interferes with your ability to function well or the pain becomes so intense that you can no longer tolerate it, preventing you from performing even simple daily activities. Because living with pain isn't really living!

Naples orthopaedic surgeon Robert J. Zehr, M.D., of The Zehr Center for Orthopaedics, has  once again been named one of America's Most Compassionate Doctors by PatientsChoice.org.  

Of the nation's 870,000 active physicians, only 3% were accorded this honor by their patients in 2013.  

The award recognizes "faithful service to patients" as determined by online patient ratings.  

Dr. Zehr has received at least 200% more patient evaluations upon which to base this award than any other orthopaedic surgeon in the Southwest Florida area.