Hip Arthritis: Symptoms, Treatment and Exercise for Pain Relief

Arthritis is certainly common enough—especially as you get older—but it’s not easy to identify if you’re not a medical professional.

So, if you’re suffering from hip pain, how do you know if your pain comes from arthritis or if it’s something else?

The short answer, of course, is “Ask your doctor.” While you should talk to a hip specialist, here’s some helpful advice about how to identify whether the pain in your hip comes from arthritis, and how your doctor might treat it.

How does arthritis affect the hip?

Arthritis in the hip happens when cartilage in your hip joint becomes damaged or worn down, causing your bones to grind against each other and become rough. The resulting pain and stiffness make it difficult to move your leg.

There are several kinds of arthritis that can cause hip pain, with osteoarthritis being the most common. Osteoarthritis results from normal wear and tear of the joint over time, and usually occurs in people 60 and over. Other types of arthritis that affect the hip include rheumatoid arthritis (a chronic inflammatory disease), psoriatic arthritis (PsA, which is usually connected to the skin disease psoriasis), and reactive arthritis (which can follow a urinary, genital or gastrointestinal infection).

How can you tell if your pain comes from arthritis?

While arthritis is the most common cause of hip pain, it’s certainly not the only one. Muscle strains, stress fractures and hip dislocation can all cause hip pain, along with arthritis-related conditions like myositis, polymyalgia rheumatica, tendonitis and bursitis.

Unfortunately, arthritis is difficult to self-diagnose, but for osteoarthritis of the hip, symptoms may include aching pain in the groin area, outer thigh and buttocks; reduced range of motion (difficulty putting on shoes and socks, for example); and joint stiffness.

If you’re experiencing these symptoms, the best thing to do is contact your doctor. They can help diagnose the cause of your pain and help you treat it.

How is hip arthritis treated?

There are a variety of treatments for hip arthritis, most of which do not involve surgery.

A common first step is modifying your activity to reduce or eliminate movements that cause pain. In some cases, weight loss may be recommended to reduce strain on the hip joint.

In addition to therapy and exercise, people suffering from arthritis can often find relief with pain medications. These include several NSAIDS (nonsteroid anti-inflammatory drugs), like ibuprofen, naproxen and Cox-2 inhibitors like celecoxib (Celebrex). Corticosteroids, delivered via injection, are also an option.

If medications and modified activity do not produce the desired results, your doctor may recommend surgery, some to prevent your cartilage from wearing down further, and others to rebuild it.

How surgery can help

There are several types of surgery to treat hip arthritis. Hip surgeries like osteotomy, arthrotomy and arthroscopy help preserve the existing joint. A total or partial joint replacement surgery can also be an option, along with hip resurfacing, which replaces the hip cartilage and joint socket while preserving the natural head of the femur bone.

Need to find the best treatment for your hip arthritis or other pain? Orlin & Cohen offices across Long Island are open seven days a week for immediate, personalized arthritis care from fellowship-trained hip specialists, with options that include pain management and physical therapy. Request an in-person or telehealth appointment now.