Hip Muscle Atrophy and Hip Osteoarthritis-Evidence and Continuing Challenges

Background: Hip osteoarthritis, a highly disabling disease with no distinct cause, and a disease associated with high degrees of pain, stiffness, and disability continues to affect the lives of many adults of all ages highly adversely and may be influenced adversely by some forms of muscle dysfunction, such as hip muscle atrophy. Aim: To examine the prevailing research support for a mediating or causative role of muscle atrophy in hip osteoarthritis. Methods: An in-depth literature review focusing on hip osteoarthritis muscle atrophy associations was conducted. Results: A fair number of past and recent research reports indicate efforts to examine and intervene to minimize one or more attributes of hip muscle atrophy appears promising in the context of efforts to foster improved outcomes of hip joint osteoarthritis, regardless of the application of high-tech surgery. Conclusion: Future research efforts are strongly indicated.