What is the first treatment tried for hip osteoarthritis?

Hip osteoarthritis involves changes in the joint surfaces and surrounding tissues that can cause pain, stiffness and reduced movement. Early treatment aims to keep the hip moving, strengthen supporting muscles and make daily activities more manageable. Exercise Therapy may include strength, flexibility, balance and low-impact conditioning selected for your symptoms. Physiotherapy can also help with walking technique, pacing and a home programme.

Weight Management for Joint Pain may be useful when body load contributes to symptoms, and a Cortisone Injection may be considered for short-term symptom relief in selected situations. If pain and disability remain substantial despite non-surgical care, Hip Resurfacing or Total Hip Replacement may be discussed according to age, bone quality, joint damage and activity needs.

Ask for a personalised exercise plan and begin with movements that cause no sharp pain or prolonged flare. Break demanding tasks into smaller periods, use supportive footwear if helpful, and balance activity with recovery. Keep track of walking distance, stairs, sleep and daily tasks so your clinician can see what is changing.

Do not stop all movement because the hip feels stiff; complete rest can make function harder to regain. Discuss medication choices, weight-related load, or an injection with a qualified clinician rather than selecting treatment from a general rule. [Exercise Therapy](/treatments/physiotherapy-and-rehabilitation/exercise-therapy/) and [Physiotherapy](/treatments/physiotherapy-and-rehabilitation/physiotherapy/) provide further reading.

Seek urgent care for sudden severe pain after an injury, inability to bear weight, a hot swollen hip with fever, or new weakness or numbness. Arrange a review when stiffness is rapidly worsening, pain repeatedly wakes you, or ordinary walking becomes difficult despite following the plan.

Ask which exercises match your joint findings, how to adjust activity during a flare, and whether weight-related load is relevant. Ask what signs would prompt an injection, resurfacing or total replacement discussion.