The main symptoms of hip arthritis are pain. Other symptom pain and stiffness of the hip

Pain is worsened after activity such as walking and climbing stairs. You may find that you struggle to put your shoes on and have discomfort/ stiffness getting into your car.

Cold weather frequently exacerbates symptoms of pain. You can suffer pain whilst at rest and night pain often reflects significant osteoarthritis.

The classical pain that patients complain of is pain in the groin, although it can be felt in the buttock and radiating into the knee.

Diagnosis

Your doctor will ask you a few questions (take a history) and examine your hip and also take x-rays of your hipto confirm the diagnosis of arthritis.

Treatment can be non-surgical or surgical.

Non-surgical treatment should always be considered at first as it may be effective.

Lifestyle change: includes weight loss, minimising activities that exacerbate the painful symptoms.

Exercise/ Physiotherapy: these help with maintaining range of movement and muscle strength.

There are a number of different types of painkiller that are helpful in the management of osteoarthritis.

Your GP will be able to advise you best on the types of painkiller, but typically patients start with regular Paracetamol and Ibuprofen. If this is ineffective then stronger painkillers like Codeine and Tramadol can be prescribed by your family doctor.

Anti-inflammatory gel (Ibuprofen) can also provide significant pain relief.

If you have trialled non-operative treatment of your hip arthritis and have significant pain then joint replacement surgery is an effective surgical option to consider Total Hip Replacement.