Hip topic
Hip Osteoarthritis
Osteoarthritis is a type of arthritis. In the hip, it involves changes to the cartilage, ligaments, bone and muscles around the joint.
- SocketThe acetabulum forms the socket side of the joint.
- Joint surfaceCartilage covers the surfaces where the joint moves.
- Femoral neckThe neck links the ball to the upper femur.
What it is
Osteoarthritis affects joints, most often in the hands, knees, hips, neck and lower back.
Pain tends to come with movement and often eases with rest.
Everyday moments people describe
These are times when symptoms may show up.
Getting up after sleeping or sitting
Stiffness is worse after sleeping or sitting.
Getting dressed
Everyday tasks, such as dressing, can get harder.
Moving the hip
Movement is when pain tends to show up.
Pain in the hip joint or groin, and weakness in the leg muscles, can also be part of it.
What may raise the risk
Risk factors include:
- Age, since risk rises over the years.
- Obesity, which may raise the risk.
- A past hip injury, or hip dysplasia, which can also raise the chance of hip osteoarthritis.
What is often suggested
For osteoarthritis in general, options include:
- Exercises to improve strength, flexibility and balance.
- Weight loss, if needed.
- Surgery, which may be an option if other treatments do not help enough.
What Physical Therapy may involve
Physical Therapy starts with a full assessment of movement problems. A plan may use:
- Exercise.
- Changes to activities.
- Hands-on therapy.
- Guidance on ice or heat.
The aim is to lower pain and return you to activities. Imaging is not needed to diagnose hip osteoarthritis, though a provider may order it to check for other causes.
When surgery comes up
For some people with more advanced hip osteoarthritis, pain can make exercise very hard and a hip joint replacement may help. A physical therapist can help after surgery. Read more on total hip replacement.
What an evaluation may look at
An evaluation may include:
- A full assessment of movement problems.
- A history, and questions about your symptoms.
- Tests of hip range of motion, strength, walking and balance.
How Physical Therapy may fit
A Shanti physical therapist begins with an evaluation. If Physical Therapy looks like a good fit, the plan is built around what the evaluation shows. Depending on the findings, a plan may use some, all or none of these approaches:
Safety note
When to seek medical care
Seek urgent medical care after a serious injury if you cannot put weight on the leg, or if the leg or joint looks deformed. Contact a medical professional for severe or worsening symptoms, fever, or concerns after an operation.
See the full safety checklist
When to get medical care first
Get emergency care right away if:
- you have had a serious fall or injury;
- your leg looks deformed, badly bruised or bleeding;
- you cannot move the hip or put weight on it; or
- worsening hip pain comes with trouble urinating or having a bowel movement.
Contact a medical professional if:
- hip pain continues after 1 week of home treatment;
- you also have a fever or rash;
- hip pain starts suddenly and you have sickle cell anemia or take steroids for a long time;
- both hips and other joints hurt; or
- you start limping or have trouble with stairs or walking.
If you are unsure what is causing your symptoms, ask a medical professional. Information online is not a diagnosis.
Request an appointment
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