Which finding is typical of hip osteoarthritis during history taking and examination?

Which finding is typical of hip osteoarthritis during history taking and examination?

• A. Pain and stiffness in the hip worsened by movement and weight bearing
• B. Acute chest pain with coughing
• C. Erythema and warmth over the hip
• D. Pain relieved only by rest and immobilization

Answer: (A)

Pain and stiffness in the hip that worsen with movement and weight bearing reflect the mechanical, degenerative nature of hip osteoarthritis. As the joint undergoes cartilage loss and osteophyte formation, use of the hip becomes painful, especially during activities like walking or climbing stairs. Patients commonly have a gradual onset in older adults, with morning stiffness that is brief, and on examination you’d expect limited range of motion—particularly reduced internal rotation and flexion—with possible a mild limp. This pattern—pain aggravated by activity and relieved by rest—fits hip OA best. Other findings listed would point to different problems: acute chest pain with coughing implies a thoracic or pulmonary issue; erythema and warmth over the hip suggests inflammatory or septic arthritis or soft-tissue infection; pain that is relieved only by rest and immobilization is not typical for degenerative OA, which is characteristically activity-related rather than requiring immobilization for relief.

Pain and stiffness in the hip that worsen with movement and weight bearing reflect the mechanical, degenerative nature of hip osteoarthritis. As the joint undergoes cartilage loss and osteophyte formation, use of the hip becomes painful, especially during activities like walking or climbing stairs. Patients commonly have a gradual onset in older adults, with morning stiffness that is brief, and on examination you’d expect limited range of motion—particularly reduced internal rotation and flexion—with possible a mild limp. This pattern—pain aggravated by activity and relieved by rest—fits hip OA best.

Other findings listed would point to different problems: acute chest pain with coughing implies a thoracic or pulmonary issue; erythema and warmth over the hip suggests inflammatory or septic arthritis or soft-tissue infection; pain that is relieved only by rest and immobilization is not typical for degenerative OA, which is characteristically activity-related rather than requiring immobilization for relief.