Hip Arthritis

Symptoms of hip arthritis often develop gradually and may worsen over time. They can vary depending on the type and severity of arthritis.

Common symptoms include:

• pain in the hip, groin, thigh or buttock

• stiffness in the hip, especially in the morning or after resting

• reduced range of movement, making it harder to bend or rotate the hip

• difficulty walking, standing, or climbing stairs

• a grinding or clicking sensation in the joint

• pain that worsens with activity and improves with rest

• limping due to discomfort or reduced mobility

In more advanced cases, pain may be present even at rest or during the night, which can affect your sleep and overall wellbeing.

Hip arthritis can develop for several reasons. The underlying cause depends on the type of arthritis.

The most common causes include:

• osteoarthritis – gradual wear and tear of the joint cartilage over time

• rheumatoid arthritis – an autoimmune condition where the immune system attacks the joint lining

• post-traumatic arthritis – arthritis that develops after a hip injury, such as a fracture or dislocation

• avascular necrosis – reduced blood supply to the hip bone, leading to bone damage

• childhood hip conditions – such as hip dysplasia or slipped capital femoral epiphysis, which can increase the risk later in life

Risk factors for hip arthritis

Some factors can increase your risk of developing hip arthritis:

• increasing age

• being overweight or obese

• previous hip injuries or surgery

• family history of arthritis

• certain occupations or activities that place repeated stress on the hip

• underlying inflammatory conditions

If you’re experiencing hip pain or stiffness, it’s important to seek medical advice. At Welbeck, you’ll begin with an initial consultation with one of our specialist orthopaedic consultants.

During your appointment, your consultant will:

• ask about your symptoms and medical history

• assess how your symptoms affect your daily activities

• perform a physical examination of your hip

In many cases, this assessment alone provides a strong indication of hip arthritis. However, further tests are often used to confirm the diagnosis and assess the severity.

These may include:

• X-ray – to show joint space narrowing, bone changes and cartilage loss

• MRI scan – to provide detailed images of soft tissues, cartilage and early joint damage

• CT scan – occasionally used for more detailed bone assessment

• blood tests – to check for inflammatory or autoimmune causes, such as rheumatoid arthritis

Your consultant may recommend tests even if a diagnosis seems likely, to ensure the most appropriate treatment plan is chosen.

Hip arthritis cannot always be prevented, especially when linked to ageing or genetics. However, there are steps you can take to reduce your risk or to slow progression.

These include:

• maintaining a healthy weight to reduce pressure on the hip joint

• staying physically active with low-impact exercises, such as swimming or cycling

• strengthening the muscles around the hip to support the joint

• avoiding repetitive strain or overuse injuries

• seeking prompt and appropriate treatment for any hip injuries

• maintaining good posture and joint alignment

If you already have early symptoms, swift management can help delay progression and improve long-term outcomes.

Hip arthritis can affect more than just the joint itself. If left untreated, it may lead to several complications.

These can include:

• worsening pain and stiffness, limiting daily activities

• reduced mobility and independence

• muscle weakness due to reduced use of the joint

• changes in posture or gait, which can affect other joints like the knees or back

• sleep disturbance due to pain

• reduced quality of life

In severe cases, the joint may become significantly damaged, and surgery may be needed to restore function.

It’s important to remember that many people manage hip arthritis successfully with the right treatment and support. Early diagnosis and a tailored treatment plan can help reduce the risk of complications.

Treatment for hip arthritis focuses on relieving pain, improving movement, and slowing the progression of the condition. Your consultant will recommend a personalised treatment plan based on your symptoms and overall health.

Treatment options may include:

• lifestyle changes – weight management and activity modification to reduce joint strain

• physiotherapy – exercises to strengthen muscles and improve flexibility and mobility

• pain relief medication – such as paracetamol or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)

• injections – such as steroids to reduce inflammation and provide temporary pain relief, and hyaluronic acid, which may slow down arthritis progression

• activity aids – such as walking aids to support mobility and reduce pressure on the joint

• biologic medications – for inflammatory arthritis, to control the immune response

• hip replacement surgery – in severe cases, where the damaged joint is replaced with an artificial one

Many people find that a combination of treatments provides the best results. At Welbeck, your consultant will guide you through your options and support you at every stage of your care.

At Welbeck, our orthopaedic specialists are experts in their field and are dedicated to providing world-class care to every patient.

With access to colleagues across other specialties, our consultants are also able to refer within the Welbeck ecosystem if required to ensure you receive the treatment you need as quickly as possible, all under one roof.

All appointments, testing, treatment, and follow-up appointments take place within our state-of-the-art facilities, enabling us to deliver accurate diagnostics and advanced treatments.

Your health is important to us, so we strive to offer same-day appointments whenever possible.

Our consultants are recognised by the major health insurance companies. If you have private health insurance, your treatment at Welbeck can begin once you have obtained authorisation. We also provide care to self-paying patients. Learn more about the different payment options at Welbeck.

Get in touch today to book an appointment.