Hip arthritis

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Arthritis of the hip is a painful condition, where the cartilage in the hip joint wears away, leaving bone rubbing on bone within the joint. The symptoms are normally an aching or burning pain within the joint, with stiffness. The pain is often felt in the groin or down the front of the thigh (referred pain). Arthritis of the hip can even sometimes cause pain to be felt in the region of the knee.

Sometimes there may also be cartilage tears or loose pieces of cartilage or bone within the joint, and these may cause sudden sharp pains, locking (when the hip becomes fixed) or giving way of the hip.

In severe arthritis, the leg can become slightly shortened, with the hip joint becoming severely stiff. Walking becomes painful and daily activities such as reaching down to put on socks can become increasingly difficult.

Non-surgical treatment of early hip arthritis includes:-

• walking aids
• glucosamine and/or chondroitin sulphate tablets
• simple painkillers
• anti-inflammatories
• physiotherapyWhen the various non-operative measures have failed to control the symptoms of hip arthritis, surgical treatment becomes an option for those patients with significant symptoms.

  Potential surgical treatments for hip arthritis include:-

  • injection of cortisone/steroid into the hip joint (in theatre under X-ray control)
  • hip arthroscopy (keyhole surgery) 
  • hip replacement
  • hip resurfacing
  • custom made hip replacements

  Article written by

  Mr Ian McDermott

  Consultant Hip Surgeon and Knee Surgeon, London & Northwood

  Last updated 13/01/10

  
  

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