Mild narrowing of hip joint does it mean I have osteoarthritis

I would suggest you go back to your dr and ask. Perhaps he'll send you for an MRI.

Hi John,

I would suggest you look online for some assistance. Look at other options rarher than OA because I did and I am on my way to full recovery without any operation. I was diagnosed with Hip OA and had the same symptoms as you have now. I got to the point I was limping while walking. I don't have the pain and stiffness in the front of the legs now nor the butt pain. I have bone on bone in right hip but no pain anymore. Just weigh your options and don't believe everything you are told. Including me. Check it out for yourself.

Good luck.

Teresa

It depends upon which definition of OA you use.

1. Radiographic OA is evidence of 'wear and repair' that shows up on x-ray. This includes narrowing of the joint space. If it's been observed on x-ray, then unless the person interpreting the x-ray is mistaken you do have radiographic OA. The good news is that most people that have radiographic OA do not have any symptoms. The other good news is that past middle age most people have radiographic OA and are blissfully unaware of it. In other words, it's usually harmless.

2. Symptomatic OA isn't really a condition. It's a catch all label given to unexplained joint pain. It used to be the case that OA was thought to be a joint disease - a consequence of that degeneration that shows up on x-ray. Research has since shown there is no correlation between x-ray findings and symptoms, so the health pros have got themselves into a bit of a muddle! In the UK, NICE now recommend that in over 40's OA is routinely diagnosed (without bothering to get x-rays/mri) if there is unexplained joint pain. [Which I personally think is nothing short of criminal, but hey-ho].

Short answer - your doctor is right. The xray findings are pretty meaningless. Most likely cause of your symptoms (I'd bet my house on it) is muscle imbalance. A complex, whole body muscle imbalance that everyone with a hip OA diagnoses is guaranteed to have. 

I had it. I was told by a doctors less smart than yours that I definitely had OA, and would need a hp replacement in a few years. I was told by many specialists that I could not get better and that I should accept it. Instead, I corrected the muscle imbalance and now I'm symptom free - and I'm not the only one that's had this result! 

 

For anyone interested I agree with John completely. Had similar symptoms and on a road trip in the US went to the gym almost daily spending time on a recumberent bike. Within a month all symptoms were reduced to mild pain and with continued exercise (3 times a week now) all symptoms have disappeared. Worked it out myself in the end re balancing of the muscles. Am totally medication free, no visits to physios etc. I was in pain for about 10 to 15 years. I am 70.

If your hip X-ray shows narrowing of the socket at  the ball joint then it is osteo.