What are the symptoms of Hip Osteoarthritis?

Common symptoms include: Hip or groin pain that often can worsen with activity and improve with rest; Stiffness that typically can be more noticeable after sitting or in the morning; Reduced range of motion that can affect walking, bending, or putting on shoes; Limping or altered gait that often can develop as discomfort increases; Pain that may radiate to the thigh, buttock, or knee.

How is Hip Osteoarthritis diagnosed?

Diagnosis typically involves: Medical history and symptom review; Physical examination (gait assessment, range of motion, pain provocation tests); X-ray imaging to assess joint-space narrowing and osteophytes; MRI imaging when soft tissue or early cartilage changes may need evaluation.

Hip Osteoarthritis

Also known as: Degenerative hip disease, Hip OA, Arthritic hip, Wear and tear arthritis of hip, Coxarthrosis, Hip joint degeneration

Last updated: December 18, 2024

Hip osteoarthritis is a condition in which the cartilage in the hip joint gradually breaks down. As cartilage is lost, the joint space can narrow and bone changes and inflammation may occur, often leading to pain and reduced function. Common symptoms include hip or groin pain that can worsen with activity and ease with rest, and stiffness that may be more noticeable after sitting or in the morning. Symptoms often progress over time at a variable pace.

Key Facts

•Hip osteoarthritis involves gradual breakdown of the articular cartilage in the hip joint
•Hip or groin pain that worsens with activity and improve with rest
•Diagnosed through history, physical exam, and imaging
•First-line treatment includes exercise, weight management, and activity modification

What It Is

Hip osteoarthritis typically involves gradual breakdown of the articular cartilage in the hip joint. Cartilage loss can lead to joint-space narrowing, bone changes, and inflammation that often can contribute to pain and reduced function.

Affected Anatomy

This condition affects several structures in and around the joint:

•Articular cartilage of the femoral head
•Articular cartilage of the acetabulum (hip socket)
•Subchondral bone (bone beneath cartilage)
•Synovium and joint capsule
•Acetabular labrum

Common Symptoms

Symptoms can vary in intensity and may change over time. Common experiences include:

•Hip or groin pain that often can worsen with activity and improve with rest
•Stiffness that typically can be more noticeable after sitting or in the morning
•Reduced range of motion that can affect walking, bending, or putting on shoes
•Limping or altered gait that often can develop as discomfort increases
•Pain that may radiate to the thigh, buttock, or knee
•Crepitus or a grinding sensation that can occur with movement
•Sleep disturbance that may occur when pain typically can flare at night

Causes and Risk Factors

Multiple factors can contribute to the development of this condition:

Causes

•Age-related (primary) degenerative changes
•Prior hip injury (post-traumatic osteoarthritis)
•Abnormal hip shape or development (for example, hip dysplasia)
•Femoroacetabular impingement (FAI)
•Avascular necrosis of the femoral head
•Inflammatory arthritis (for example, rheumatoid arthritis) contributing to secondary degeneration

Risk Factors

•Older age
•Excess body weight
•Family history or genetic predisposition
•Prior hip injury or surgery
•Hip structural differences (for example, dysplasia or impingement morphology)
•Repetitive high-impact loading from certain sports or occupations

How It's Diagnosed

Diagnosis typically involves a combination of clinical assessment and imaging studies:

•Medical history and symptom review
•Physical examination (gait assessment, range of motion, pain provocation tests)
•X-ray imaging to assess joint-space narrowing and osteophytes
•MRI imaging when soft tissue or early cartilage changes may need evaluation
•Laboratory tests when other causes of hip pain (for example, inflammatory arthritis) may need consideration
•Diagnostic intra-articular injection when pain source may need clarification

Treatment Options

Treatment approaches range from conservative measures to surgical interventions, often starting with the least invasive options:

Self-Care and Activity Modification

•Education and activity modification that may help reduce symptom flares
•Weight management strategies that may reduce mechanical load on the hip
•Assistive devices (for example, a cane) that may improve stability and reduce joint loading

Physical Therapy and Exercise

•Physical therapy and targeted exercise that can improve strength, mobility, and function

Medications

•Oral or topical pain-relieving and anti-inflammatory medicines that can be used for symptom control

Injections and Office-Based Procedures

•Intra-articular corticosteroid injections that can provide temporary pain relief for some people

Surgery

•Total hip arthroplasty (hip replacement) that typically can improve pain and function in advanced disease when other options may not provide adequate relief

Prognosis and Recovery

The course of this condition varies between individuals:

•Symptoms often can progress gradually over time, although the pace typically can vary between individuals
•Pain and mobility limitations can increase during flare-ups, and function generally can decline if joint degeneration advances
•Non-surgical treatments may reduce pain and improve function for many people, although symptoms often can recur
•Hip replacement surgery typically can provide substantial pain relief and functional improvement for many people with advanced hip osteoarthritis, although outcomes can vary

Total Hip Arthroplasty (Total Hip Replacement)(Procedure)
Hip Resurfacing Arthroplasty(Procedure)
Knee Osteoarthritis(Condition)
Hip Labral Tear(Condition)

Frequently Asked Questions

Treatment options range from conservative measures to surgical interventions, including: Education and activity modification that may help reduce symptom flares; Physical therapy and targeted exercise that can improve strength, mobility, and function; Weight management strategies that may reduce mechanical load on the hip; Oral or topical pain-relieving and anti-inflammatory medicines that can be used for symptom control; Assistive devices (for example, a cane) that may improve stability and reduce joint loading.