Hip joint osteoarthritis is a disabling disease usually attributable to wear and tear processes of aging. To identify characteristics of patients with hip joint osteoarthritis receiving prosthetic hip replacements as this pertains to identifying remediable factors that might prevent the disease or limit it's associated disability, the medical records of all surgical cases treated at the Hospital for Special Surgery between January and September 2000 are being analyzed. Present estimates from 100 cases(or 10 percent of the anticipated cohort), suggests 98 percent of these individuals are white Americans, with females forming 65 percent of the sample. Their ages range from 31-85 years with a mean of 64 years. Over one third have one or more co-morbidities related to cardiovascular insufficiencies and their average Body Mass Index (BMI) of 27 implies many are overweight or obese. Fewer than five percent of cases examined to date show evidence of a simple age related disease pattern. All patients appear to require further remedial therapy after hospital discharge and over half require extended care. The deficient physical activity levels of these patients along with their excessive nutritional intake could affect joint function adversely and delay recovery post-surgery. The importance of combining adequate daily exercise and sound nutritional practices in preventing and treating hip arthritis has not been adequately explored, however, although this strategy would seem highly relevant in view of the current findings and the Healthy People 2010 objectives.
Learning Objectives: 1. To delineate the epidemiology of hip arthritis and its complexity. 2. To highlight the importance of physical activity and nutrition in preventing and treating hip arthritis
Keywords: Arthritis,
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: Hopspital for Special Surgery, New York
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.