Hip Pain

Hip pain is typically experienced around the groin, buttock, the side of the hip, and front of the thigh. Sometimes hip problems give pain in the knee without any discomfort around the hip. The pain can be associated with activity and walking and can also be severe enough to be present at rest or disturb sleep.

You may find it difficult to walk, climb stairs or have difficulty with leaning forward when you’re sitting down such as tying shoelaces.

The pain can be associated with a limp, stiffness around the hip or even cause you to fall.

What can the causes of hip pain be?

There are several causes of pain around the Hip:

• Arthritis  - a common cause of pain. It can be due to wear and tear (Osteoarthritis) or due to inflammation (conditions like Rheumatoid arthritis)
• Bursitis - Several pockets of fluid exist around the hip joint called bursae; inflammation of these can cause pain
• Muscle or ligament Sprain or inflammation
•  Pain from causes outside the Hip joint: pain can be ‘referred’ from other sources, most commonly from the back or other problems around the groin.

Hip arthritis

Osteoarthritis, or degenerative joint disease is the most common form of arthritis. It is common in older people. The disease affects the tissue lining the joints (articular cartilage). In osteoarthritis this cartilage becomes damaged and worn away. This causes pain, stiffness and restricted movement in the joint. It is commonest in the weight bearing joints of the hip and knee.

Certain factors can predispose to the development of Osteoarthritis:

• Increasing age
• Family history of osteoarthritis
• Previous injury or fracture to the Hip joint or Pelvis
• Obesity
• Abnormal formation of the hip joint at birth (DDH) or other childhood hip diseases like Perthe’s disease.
• Impingement of the hip due to abnormal hip formation and shape or injuries to the cartilage and labrum.

Treatment options

Hip pain doesn’t necessarily mean hip replacement surgery. There are many options for you to consider to help your pain.

Exercise and weight loss – Research shows that exercise is one of the best treatments for osteoarthritis. Exercise may help decrease pain, improve movement and maintain or achieve a healthy weight.

Physio - You may be prescribed physical therapy as a treatment. It is important to work with a physio and learn specific exercises that are designed to help in your condition. These can be effective in strengthening supporting muscles and increasing flexibility in stiff muscles that cause pain.

Medication –Medicines commonly used in treating osteoarthritis include: paracetamol, NSAIDs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen), topical pain-relieving creams, strong painkillers like codeine and morphine

Walking aids: Using aids like crutches, a walking stick or frame can improve mobility and reduce pain by reducing the weight on the hip.

Injections – Hip injections under x-ray or ultrasound control may be beneficial in improving symptoms for a period of time. These do not ‘cure’ the arthritis.

Hip Replacement – when none surgical options fail to relieve symptoms adequately surgery can be considered

The National Joint Registry has an online tool (Patient Decision Support Tool) that can estimate the benefit you could gain after surgery, the risk of a revision procedure and the risk of death one year after the operation, which you may find helpful. To access this, please click here