hip conditions
Hip Arthritis
hip conditions
Hip Arthritis is a common cause of groin pain, stiffness and difficulty walking.
Symptoms often develop gradually and can affect daily life, from getting dressed in the morning to longer walks or stairs. Many people also notice aching pain around the thigh or buttock, or discomfort after periods of sitting.
Hip Arthritis
What is Hip Arthritis?
The hip is a ball-and-socket joint lined with smooth articular cartilage. Over time, this cartilage can thin, split or wear away. When the underlying bone becomes exposed, the joint becomes inflamed and painful.
You may notice:
Groin pain, often radiating down the thigh
Stiffness after sitting or resting
Difficulty putting on shoes or socks
Reduced walking distance
Clicking or grinding sensations
Pain at night
Arthritis may result from age-related wear, previous injury, childhood hip conditions, subtle hip shape differences, or inflammatory disease.
Hip Arthritis
How your hip is assessed
During your assessment, we will examine hip movement, strength, and patterns of pain. X-rays help determine the degree and location of cartilage wear.
When symptoms are complex or the diagnosis is unclear, MRI may be arranged.
Routine arthritis care is supported by the wider multidisciplinary team, especially physiotherapy and imaging colleagues.
Hip Arthritis
Treatment options
Non-surgical
Physiotherapy (strengthening, gait modification, mobility work)
Lifestyle and activity changes
Medication
Steroid injections for acute flares
Surgical
Total hip replacement
Minimally invasive approaches
Personalised implant positioning
Hip Arthritis
FAQs
Do I need a Hip Replacement
Only when symptoms significantly impact daily life and non-surgical options no longer help.
Can hip arthritis improve without surgery?
Yes — many patients benefit from physiotherapy, injections and targeted lifestyle changes.
Why does hip arthritis cause knee pain?
Hip arthritis often refers pain down the thigh to the knee because the nerves overlap.