Hip arthritis is a progressive degenerative condition of the hip joint. It is a result of the cartilage that covers the femoral head (ball) and acetabulum (socket) wearing out, resulting in the rough bony surface of the hip joint rubbing. This leads to pain, inflammation, stiffness and loss of function over time.

Hip anatomy

The hip is a ball and socket joint made up of the pelvis and femur. The acetabulum (socket) has a strong ring of cartilage called the labrum surrounding it which helps stabilise the joint and create a tight seal to allow smooth movement.

Causes

Hip arthritis may occur as part of the normal ageing process with cartilage becoming softer and eventually failing, or because of an underlying difference in the shape of the hip ball or socket.

Childhood hip conditions such as hip dysplasia, Perthes disease, SCFE and infection all change the shape of the hip joint and cause increased pressure on the hip cartilage. Anatomical differences in the shape of the hip from femoroacetabular impingement (FAI) can result in early arthritis from either a CAM or Pincer lesion, or damage to the labrum.

Several medical conditions may hasten hip arthritis including rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis or seronegative arthritis cause inflammation within the hip joint which will cause early cartilage damage.

Non-operative treatment

Hip arthritis can be managed non-surgically if symptoms are mild and the hip is not interfering significantly with your function. It is important to understand that hip arthritis is a progressive condition, meaning that over time it will get worse and symptoms such as pain and stiffness are likely to progress.

Physiotherapy and weight loss are essential in non-operative treatment to strengthen the muscle around the hip and to reduce the force on the already damaged cartilage. The use of a walking stick in opposite hand reduces force on the hip and will reduce pain.

Medications can be taken for pain relief such as paracetamol and NSAIDS (celebrex, voltaren etc) are useful for flair ups of pain, however caution should be taken with regular use, and you should always consult your GP. There is no scientific evidence for stronger pain medications such as opiates, or natural treatments such as glucosamine or chondroitin.

Operative treatment

The only surgery available for hip arthritis is a hip replacement. There are many variations on this surgery with different surgical approaches, implant design and bearing surfaces.

The decision to undergo a hip replacement is ultimately a decision for you and should be made understanding all the risks and benefits of the procedure. Total hip replacement has reliably been shown to have excellent results in most patients and is consistently rated as one of the most successful surgical procedures in terms of patient satisfaction and functional improvements.

For more information please see the surgical information summary