Hip arthritis

Hip arthritis is a common condition affecting the hip joint, which can result in pain, swelling and problems with mobility.

What is hip arthritis?

Osteoarthritis is a common condition affecting the joints. The protective cartilage on the ends of your bones weakens, resulting in pain, swelling, and problems moving the joint.

The chances of developing the condition increase:

  • As you get older due to general wear and tear of the joints
  • If you are a woman
  • If you have a family history of the condition
  • If you have rheumatoid arthritis.

Osteoarthritis in your hips causes pain in the groin or outside the hip, stiffness, and difficulty moving which is often worse after a period of inactivity.

In addition, some people experience swelling, tenderness, or a crackling sound when moving the affected joints.

The severity of symptoms varies among individuals with some experiencing continuous issues even when resting or sleeping.

Diagnosing hip arthritis

The symptoms which differentiate this condition are joint pain that gets worse the more you use your joints and if the stiffness in your joints is not there in the morning when you wake.

Additional tests such as an X-ray or blood tests may be required to rule out other conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis.

Hip arthritis treatment

Depending on the severity of your symptoms, your orthopaedic consultant may recommend lifestyle changes including diet and exercise, followed by pain relief and physiotherapy.

If hip pain hasn’t improved with non-surgical treatments such as physiotherapy, your orthopaedic consultant may suggest a steroid injection or a hip replacement depending on the severity of the arthritis. Your orthopaedic consultant will explain the benefits of each option and give their recommendation based on your individual circumstances.

Find out more about orthopaedic care >

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