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Advanced RA in the hips resembles OA, but the joints are
narrowed symetrically unlike OA. The hips look like they
will almost move right right into the middle of the pelvis.
This condition is called protrusio acetabulae.
Rheumatoid Arthritis is a
disease of the immune system. The joint becomes inflamed feeling
hot, swollen and painful. After time, stiffness and deformity occur.
The cause of Rheumatoid Arthritis is unknown, but is thought to be
an allergic reaction against one's own body's defense. It causes
degeneration of the joint as well, resulting in pain and disability
of the joint.
RA starts in the synovium and eventually
destroys the joint cartilage. The bone next to the cartilage is also
damaged and becomes very soft. RA affects many joints at one time
and also affects internal organs.
Lupus is another form of arthritis that affects the hip and is
mainly inflammatory. Read more about the symptoms of Lupus at the
Lupus Website.
There are blood tests for rheumatoid arthritis, but they are
often not very accurate. Test results for older people over 70 often
show positive for the rheumatoid factor, but often the people don't
have rheumatoid arthritis. The test, by itself, is often not very
reliable.
Additional References about Arthritis:
Arthritis Foundation
Osteoarthritis by the Mayo Clinic
Osteoarthritis at Wikipedia
Rheumatoid Arthritis at the Arthritis Foundation
Rheumatoid Arthritis by the Mayo Clinic
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