DEGENERATIVE HIP JOINT PATHOLOGY

The association between degenerative hip joint pathology and size of the gluteus medius, gluteus minimus and piriformis muscles.

Osteoarthritis (OA) of the hip poses a considerable problem for modern society. As the incidence of OA of the hip increases with the aging population it has been declared by March and Bagga (2004) that ‘primary and secondary programs aimed at improving rehabilitation and physical activity are urgently required’ in the management of OA. Therapeutic exercise programmes designed to improve muscle function around the affected hip will only be maximally effective when we have further information available on both normal muscle function, and changes occurring in association with joint disease.