28/09/2026
Hip Osteoarthritis: Understanding Your Treatment Pathway.
Hip osteoarthritis is a common condition that occurs when the cartilage within the hip joint gradually wears down, causing pain, stiffness and reduced mobility.
Symptoms can include groin or hip pain, stiffness, reduced range of movement, difficulty walking or climbing stairs, and changes to your walking pattern. Diagnosis usually involves a clinical assessment and X-rays, with MRI or CT scans sometimes used when further imaging is required.
Management depends on your symptoms, diagnosis and how much the condition is affecting your daily life. Treatment will often begin with non-surgical options, including physiotherapy, activity modification, weight management, pain relief and, in selected cases, injections.
When symptoms persist despite conservative treatment and significantly affect your quality of life, surgical treatment such as total hip replacement may be considered.
Our hip osteoarthritis management pathway outlines the typical steps from assessment and diagnosis through to treatment.
If you are experiencing ongoing hip pain, speak with your GP about your symptoms and treatment options. If appropriate, your GP can provide a referral to an orthopaedic specialist for further assessment and management.
