Hip osteoarthritis
Understanding this condition
Hip osteoarthritis is the progressive wear of the cartilage of the hip joint. Cartilage is the thin, smooth, slippery layer that covers the ends of the bones inside the joint. When it is intact, the femoral head rotates without friction in its bony socket in the pelvis (the acetabulum).
Over time — through natural wear, after a birth abnormality, or following a trauma — this cartilage thins, cracks, and eventually disappears in places. The two bones end up rubbing directly against each other. It is this bone-on-bone contact that triggers pain and stiffness.
Symptoms
The typical pain is located in the groin crease, sometimes on the side of the hip, and often radiates down the thigh towards the knee. It is mechanical in nature: present when walking, climbing stairs, or rising from a chair, and relieved by rest.
At first, the discomfort is intermittent. Then walking becomes more difficult, the walking distance shortens, and a limp develops. Putting on socks or cutting toenails becomes complicated: the hip loses flexibility, especially in rotation. Sleep may be disturbed when turning over at night.
How can it progress?
Without management, hip osteoarthritis always progresses in the same direction: gradual worsening over several years. Pain becomes more frequent, walking distance shrinks, and independence diminishes. Eventually, everyday activities (putting on shoes, driving, walking 5 minutes) become impossible.
The wear can also cause limb shortening, compensatory muscle contractures, and secondary lower back pain.
Treatment options
When symptoms are moderate, simple measures are tried first: painkillers, anti-inflammatory drugs during flare-ups, physiotherapy to maintain mobility and strengthen the muscles around the hip. Ultrasound-guided injections can provide temporary relief.
When pain becomes daily, disturbs sleep, or walking distance diminishes despite medical treatment, total hip replacement (THA) is the gold-standard solution. It replaces the worn area with an artificial joint and allows a rapid return to an active life. A consultation can assess the right time to intervene.