Hip Arthritis Causes, Symptoms & Treatment Options

Overview

The hip functions as a “ball and socket” joint, where the rounded head of the femur (thigh bone) fits into the acetabulum of the pelvic bone. The femoral head, acting as the ball, moves smoothly within the socket, aided by a specialized cartilage that lines both surfaces. This firm, rubber-like tissue minimizes friction and allows effortless motion.

Hip arthritis, or hip osteoarthritis (OA), is a degenerative condition that affects millions of middle-aged and older adults. It develops when the joint’s protective cartilage deteriorates, eventually exposing the underlying bone. This leads to pain, stiffness, and inflammation that worsen over time. In athletes, hip OA can significantly hinder mobility and athletic performance.

What causes Plantar Fasciitis?

Multiple factors can contribute to the onset and progression of hip osteoarthritis (OA). These include advancing age, family history, obesity, and congenital or developmental abnormalities affecting the hip joint. Prior injuries and repetitive stress, especially from high-impact or collision sports, also increase susceptibility.

• How the Injury Occurs: Hip arthritis develops gradually as the protective cartilage wears away, increasing friction between bone surfaces. Over time, inflammation and stiffness worsen, making movement painful and restricted.
• Common Everyday Causes: Hip arthritis can also develop in individuals with physically demanding occupations, such as construction workers, military personnel, or farmers, due to repetitive lifting, squatting, or standing. Additionally, sedentary lifestyles and obesity can accelerate joint degeneration by reducing circulation and increasing mechanical stress on the hips.

Hip arthritis is more common in these sports:

• Soccer: Frequent pivoting, sudden direction changes, and high joint load accelerate cartilage wear.
• Hockey: Repetitive hip rotation and impact from skating motions strain the joint over time.
• Football: Forceful tackles and abrupt movements place repetitive stress on the hip joint.
• Lacrosse: Continuous running and twisting motions heighten joint stress and potential cartilage breakdown.
• Long-Distance Running: Repeated impact on hard surfaces contributes to gradual cartilage degeneration.
• Tennis: Rapid lateral movements and sudden stops add pressure and friction within the hip joint.

Symptoms

The primary symptom of hip arthritis is groin pain that worsens with physical activity. The discomfort often begins gradually and intensifies over time. Additional common symptoms include:

• Stiffness: Most noticeable after waking up or following long periods of sitting.
• Limping: Difficulty walking smoothly due to pain or restricted motion.
• Limited Flexibility: Challenges in daily tasks such as putting on shoes, socks, or trimming toenails.
• Reduced Athletic Ability: Decreased comfort and mobility when engaging in sports or physical exercise.

Non-operative treatment

In most cases, your doctor will first recommend non-surgical treatments to manage osteoarthritis of the hip and its symptoms. Hip arthritis pain treatment options could include:

• Substituting high-impact sports that can aggravate and stress the hip (e.g., jogging) with low-impact sports (e.g., swimming, bicycling)
• Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory (NSAID) medication like ibuprofen
• Losing weight to achieve the ideal body weight requires less stress on the hip joint.
• Physical therapy stretches and exercises to strengthen muscles around your hip joint.
• Occasionally, Corticosteroids are administered via injection to reduce inflammation and pain in the joint.

Try these exercises to help address your condition:

Below is a PDF of the Exercise Program

Hip Arthritis

Surgical Treatment

If conservative treatments fail to provide adequate relief, your doctor may recommend surgical intervention for managing hip arthritis. Common surgical options include:

• Total Hip Replacement: This procedure replaces the damaged femoral head with a metal or ceramic ball and resurfaces the acetabulum using a metal shell and a polyethylene liner. Most modern implants are placed without cement, offering improved durability and long-term stability.
• Hip Resurfacing: Hip resurfacing is a bone-preserving alternative to total hip replacement, typically recommended for younger, active patients with strong bone quality. In this procedure, the damaged surface of the femoral head is trimmed and capped with a smooth metal covering, while the acetabulum (hip socket) is fitted with a metal cup. Unlike a total hip replacement, the femoral head and much of the femur are retained, allowing for a more natural load distribution and easier revision if needed in the future.