Degenerative Joint Disease (DJD)

About

Degenerative joint diseases (DJDs) are chronic conditions often resulting in pain and the loss of an active lifestyle and quality of life. There are different types of DJD that can affect the hip, see "Types" below:

Types

• Osteoarthritis (OA), in which cartilage wears down over time
• Post-traumatic arthritis, which results from a severe fracture or dislocation of the hip
• Rheumatoid arthritis (RA), an inflammatory arthritis of the joints
• Avascular necrosis (AVN), a condition where the “ball” or femoral head of the hip joint has lost a healthy supply of blood flow, causing the bone to die, and the femoral head to become misshaped
• Hip dysplasia, a condition where bones around the hip joint did not form properly, which may cause misalignment of the hip joint

Risk Factors & Prevention

The risk of developing symptomatic degenerative joint disease is influenced by multiple factors such as age, gender and inherited traits that can affect the shape and stability of your joints. Other factors can include:

• A previous hip or knee injury
• Repetitive strain on the hip or knee
• Improper joint alignment
• Being overweight
• Exercise or sports-generated stress placed on the hip or knee joint