Abstract
Pain and debilitating symptoms due to hip osteoarthritis (OA) can significantly compromise
quality of life in young, active patients. The management of the young adult with
hip OA presents a unique set of challenges, with symptoms that originate from a variety
of underlying hip pathologies, and patient age spanning from youth through middle
age. Early options for hip OA include nonoperative treatment with anti-inflammatory
medications, physical therapy, and injections. For patients with structural hip abnormalities
(femoroacetabular impingement or dysplasia), arthroscopy or reconstructive osteotomy
are acceptable treatment options. In advanced disease, joint-preserving techniques
are often ineffective, and patients may require joint resurfacing or replacement.
The treatment strategies for early hip OA continues to evolve with the development
of new and refined surgical techniques, especially in the setting of underlying hip
pathology, and a growing popularity of utilizing biologic agents. The purpose of this
manuscript is to review current conservative and surgical management and to describe
an algorithm for treatment of early-onset hip OA.
Keywords
hip arthroscopy - hip arthroplasty - early-onset hip osteoarthritis - femoroacetabular
impingement - intra-articular injection
