Primary Osteoarthritis of the Hip

• Primary Osteoarthritis is a diagnosis of exclusion
• Prevalence = 3-6% in Caucasians (<1% in Asians, Indians, Blacks)
• Generalised Osteoarthritis = >3 joints involved
• Osteoarthritis preferentially affects DIP + 1st CMC + hip + knee + 1st MTP

Aetiology

• Body Weight
  • Conflicting reports on body weight + Osteoarthritis Hip
  • Immobility from Osteoarthritis hip may predispose to weight gain
• Occupation
  • Manual work + sports may exacerbate hereditary predisposition
• Family Studies
  • Strong evidence for hereditary factors
• Anatomic Considerations
  • Anatomic deformity is not the main aetiologic factor in Osteoarthritis
  • SUFE contributes only a small part to primary Osteoarthritis. The adult tilt deformity seen in Osteoarthritis is due to remodeling + progression of osteophytes
  • DDH accounts for only a small percentage of hip Osteoarthritis