Hip Arthritis

What Is Hip Arthritis?

Hip osteoarthritis occurs when the cartilage covering the hip joint wears down, leading to bone-on-bone contact. It's one of the most common causes of hip pain and disability, especially in older adults.¹

Risk Factors

Age (>50)
Previous hip injury
Hip abnormalities (dysplasia, impingement)
Obesity
Family history
Repetitive stress

Symptoms²

Groin pain (classic location)
Thigh or buttock pain
Morning stiffness (<30 minutes)
Difficulty with stairs
Limping
Reduced range of motion
Pain with prolonged sitting

Diagnosis

Clinical examination
X-rays show joint space narrowing
MRI usually not needed

Treatment³

Conservative

Exercise (strengthening, flexibility)
Weight management
Physical therapy
NSAIDs or acetaminophen
Walking aids if needed
Corticosteroid injections

Hip Replacement

When conservative treatment fails
Significant impact on quality of life
Very successful surgery
Prosthetics last 15-25 years

Exercise Recommendations

Low-impact activities (swimming, cycling)
Avoid high-impact sports
Hip strengthening exercises
Gentle stretching

References

Murphy LB, Helmick CG, Schwartz TA, et al. One in four people may develop symptomatic hip osteoarthritis in his or her lifetime. Osteoarthritis Cartilage. 2010;18(11):1372-1379.
Lespasio MJ, Sultan AA, Piuzzi NS, et al. Hip osteoarthritis: a primer. Perm J. 2018;22:17-084.
Kolasinski SL, Neogi T, Hochberg MC, et al. 2019 American College of Rheumatology/Arthritis Foundation guideline for the management of osteoarthritis of the hand, hip, and knee. Arthritis Rheumatol. 2020;72(2):220-233.