On April 5, 2017, the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons (AAOS) published its first guidelines relating to the treatment of hip osteoarthritis in an effort to “systematically evaluate the evidence and provide recommendations on clinically relevant topics for practicing orthopedic surgeons.” The Pediatric Orthopedic Society of North America, the America Physical Therapy Association, and the American College of Radiology have all endorsed the AAOS guidelines.

An Introduction to Hip Osteoarthritis

Hip osteoarthritis, one of the many forms Dr. William Bennett treats, is the painful and debilitating condition caused by the “wear and tear” of joints. As one of the body’s largest joints, the hip is composed of a ball and socket that work together to maintain easy movement. When osteoarthritis forms, the cartilage and lubrication that normally enable smooth and painless movement become worn down. This leads the bones to rub together and trigger pain and inflammation.

Hip osteoarthritis becomes worse over time. Symptoms include pain in the groin or thigh that radiates outward, pain that becomes worse with activity, stiffness, grinding noises, and decreased range of motion.

Details of the AAOS Guidelines

The AAOS now recommends that orthopedic doctors focus on presurgical treatments to reduce pain and increase mobility in patients with osteoarthritis of the hip. Specifically, the AAOS suggests the use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, physical therapy, and corticosteroid injections to help patients experience pain relief.  

However, orthopedic surgeons like William F. Bennett, MD of Bennett Orthopedics and Sportsmedicine offer presurgical treatments that provide many benefits compared to NSAIDs and corticosteroid injections. Dr. Bennett utilizes cutting edge platelet-rich plasma (PRP) treatments that can generate as much as 85 percent improvement in the joint. PRP accelerates and enhances the body’s natural healing processes with power growth factors that resolve the root causes of hip osteoarthritis. In fact, many of Dr. Bennett’s patients have been able to utilize PRP in order to avoid joint replacement surgery.

You can contact Bennett Orthopedics and Sportsmedicine in Sarasota, Florida at (941) 953-5509 to learn more about how Dr. Bennett helps patients achieve dramatic levels of healing using PRP treatments and schedule your first appointment today.