Hip osteoarthritis

What it is

Osteoarthritis of the hip is wearing of the cartilage in the hip joint. Pain is usually felt in the groin or the front of the thigh, and sometimes the buttock. It can make walking, stairs, and putting on shoes and socks harder.

Common symptoms

• Groin or thigh pain, worse with walking or standing
• Stiffness getting going after rest
• Reduced movement, for example difficulty with socks and shoes
• A limp when the pain is bad

What can help

• Exercise to keep the hip moving and the muscles strong
• Weight management
• Pain relief and topical anti-inflammatories
• A cane held in the opposite hand to offload the hip

Where an injection fits

The hip is a deep joint, so a corticosteroid injection here is usually done with ultrasound or X-ray guidance to place it accurately. It can give short-term relief for a flare. Exercise and weight management remain the foundation, and a hip replacement is very effective for advanced disease.