Worldwide, the number of people suffering from arthritis is approximately 355 million, including more than 151 million with osteoarthritis (OA). In the US alone, about 10 million people have reported a diagnosis of osteoarthritis of the hip. While osteoarthritis may develop without any apparent risk factors, it is often seen in patients with a family history of the disease, and those who are elderly, obese, or have an injury that causes stresses the hip joint. 1
Avascular necrosis (AVN), also known as osteonecrosis or aseptic necrosis, is a painful condition that often results in debilitating osteoarthritis. While it can affect any bone, AVN most often occurs in the hip joint(s). In the US, over 20,000 people are admitted to hospitals for treatment of osteonecrosis every year. 2
Hip dysplasia, also known as Developmental Dysplasia of the Hip (DDH), is typically hereditary and can affect either hip of the patient. DDH often occurs in the left hip and is more prevalent in females, first-born children, and those born in the breech position (babies exiting the pelvis buttocks or feet-first, as opposed to head-first). Dysplasia is reported to occur in about 1 out of 1,000 births. 3
Despite these numbers, there are great treatment options available for conditions or injuries that affect the hip joint. Many patients have found hip replacement surgery to be a viable solution for eliminating pain and getting back to an active lifestyle. Nearly 2.9 million joint replacement procedures take place annually worldwide, including more than 1.4 million hip replacements. 4
1 American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS)
2 American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS)
3 MedLine Plus
4 Orthopaedic Industry Annual Report 2012
