How is hip osteoarthritis treated?

Treatment depends on how much the joint affects walking, sleep and daily tasks. A clinician may assess hip movement, strength and the way you walk; limping or pain into the thigh can help describe the pattern. The aim is to keep the hip moving, reduce strain and support the muscles around it.

Exercise Therapy and Physiotherapy can build strength and improve hip control. Weight Management for Joint Pain may reduce load through the joint when this is relevant to you. A Cortisone Injection may provide temporary relief for selected people. These options do not rebuild worn cartilage, but they can make movement easier.

Start with a plan that matches your current ability: gentle range-of-motion work, strengthening and low-impact activity are often progressed gradually. Break up long periods of sitting, use supportive footwear and choose a walking aid only after guidance on fit and use. If symptoms continue to limit ordinary activities despite non-surgical care, discuss Hip Resurfacing or Total Hip Replacement and what each operation would mean for you.

Arrange an assessment if hip pain, stiffness or limping is worsening, disturbs sleep or makes stairs and dressing difficult. Seek urgent medical help after a fall with severe pain, a new inability to stand, a visibly shortened or rotated leg, fever with a hot swollen hip, or sudden severe pain.

Which movements should I practise, and which should I modify? How will we judge whether an injection is suitable? What findings would make hip replacement more appropriate, and what recovery support would I need?