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Hip arthritis
- Care rated as ‘very good’ or ‘excellent’ by 97% of our orthopaedic patients
- No.1 for private orthopaedic care in London
- Appointments confirmed in as little as 24 hours
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Hip arthritis at HCA UK
Why choose us?
We understand that hip pain and mobility can affect your quality of life. That’s why we offer fast access to the latest tests and imaging, so we can diagnose your condition quickly and accurately.
Should you need specialist care, our dedicated hip specialists will recommend a fully tailored treatment package for your specific injury or condition. You’ll be looked after by a team of multidisciplinary clinicians in one of our leading private hospitals or outpatient centres.
No wonder 97% of our patients are likely to recommend HCA UK to their family and friends.
Should you need specialist care, our dedicated hip specialists will recommend a fully tailored treatment package for your specific injury or condition. You’ll be looked after by a team of multidisciplinary clinicians in one of our leading private hospitals or outpatient centres.
No wonder 97% of our patients are likely to recommend HCA UK to their family and friends.
Hip arthritis is a common condition that can affect people of any age. It occurs when the cartilage that cushions the bones in your hip joint becomes damaged, preventing your joint from moving smoothly and causing pain and stiffness.
There are several different types of hip arthritis, including:
- Osteoarthritis: The most common form, caused by gradual wear and tear to the hip joint
- Rheumatoid arthritis: Caused by the immune system attacking healthy tissue in the joint and damaging the cartilage in the hip
- Psoriatic arthritis: Affects those with psoriasis, a skin condition that can cause inflammation in the joints
- Post-traumatic arthritis: This typically occurs after suffering an injury to the hip - for example, as a result of a fall or a car accident
- Arthritis due to avascular necrosis: Caused by the bone collapsing due to a lack of blood supply
The symptoms of arthritis in the hip vary but can include:
- Groin pain, which can radiate down the thigh or to the buttock
- Reduced tolerance to exercise
- Limping
- Tenderness when pressure is applied to the joint
- A grating or popping sound when moving the hip
- Stiffness, particularly after periods of inactivity
- Difficulty performing everyday tasks, such as putting on shoes and socks
- Pain at night
- Swelling
- Bone spurs, which feel like hard lumps around the joint
- Lack of flexibility
Arthritis in the hip is caused by the cartilage in the joint being damaged or worn away. The following can increase your risk of developing the condition:
- Ageing: While hip arthritis symptoms can show up at almost any age, they are more likely to do so as you get older
- Being overweight: Carrying extra weight can put additional strain on your joints
- Injuries: If you've hurt your hip in an accident or playing sport, you may be more likely to develop arthritis in the joint
- Repetitive strain: Similarly, if you regularly place the hip joint under stress, the cartilage is likely to deteriorate at a faster rate
- Genetic factors: Some people are born with bone and cartilage issues, meaning they are at a greater risk of developing arthritis
No.1
in London for private orthopaedic care
10
specialist orthopaedic fields offering personalised treatment
97%
of our patients are likely to recommend us to family and friends
Fast access to specialists
appointments bookable online or by phone
Expert orthopaedic treatments
from specialist hip and pelvis consultants
State-of-the-art diagnostics
with results in as little as 48 hours
Worried about hip arthritis?
Get in touch and book a same or next-day GP appointment
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You can book a test, scan or treatment today
Unsure of your diagnosis?
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Hip arthritis tests and scans at HCA UK
Rapid access to diagnostics
If you think you might be suffering from arthritis in the hips and your symptoms are causing you pain and discomfort, you can make an appointment to see one of our hip consultants.
Your consultant will take your full medical history and perform a physical examination to determine whether you have hip arthritis.
They may arrange blood tests to check for certain markers, such as rheumatoid arthritis antibodies.
And X-rays can identify bone spurs and cysts and show the spaces between the bones in your joint, which can suggest if some of your cartilage has been lost.
Your consultant will take your full medical history and perform a physical examination to determine whether you have hip arthritis.
They may arrange blood tests to check for certain markers, such as rheumatoid arthritis antibodies.
And X-rays can identify bone spurs and cysts and show the spaces between the bones in your joint, which can suggest if some of your cartilage has been lost.
Fast treatment for hip arthritis at HCA UK
Options for pain management and treatment
If you're diagnosed with hip arthritis, your consultant will discuss all the available treatment options. They'll offer recommendations as to which treatment they think will be most effective for you, so you can decide how you wish to move forward. This may include:
- Physiotherapy and regular physical exercise to keep your muscles strong and reduce pressure on your joints
- Reducing high-impact activities that may cause painful flare-ups, such as running and jumping
- Modifications to your lifestyle, such as losing weight
- A walking stick to reduce the weight and strain on your hip
- Anti-inflammatory medications and injections, such as corticosteroids, will depend on which type of hip arthritis you have
- If non-surgical options don’t provide the desired relief, hip replacement surgery should allow you to eventually return to normal activities without pain
Accessing private healthcare
Self-pay
You don’t need health insurance to be seen quickly. If you’re looking for a diagnosis or treatment and don’t want to wait, all our private healthcare services – from private GP appointments through to surgery and aftercare – can be paid for as and when you need them.
And to give you peace of mind from the start, we’ll offer you a clear and transparent quote outlining exactly what treatments you’re paying for.
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Hip arthritis FAQs
Surgery is not always required for arthritis in the hip. If you're experiencing symptoms, your GP may be able to prescribe a course of pain management. This could be in the form of anti-inflammatory medication, through making changes to your lifestyle, with physiotherapy, or with a combination of treatments.
This will typically be the first course of action, but if you see minimal improvement in your condition then you may be referred to see one of our orthopaedic specialists.
This will typically be the first course of action, but if you see minimal improvement in your condition then you may be referred to see one of our orthopaedic specialists.
During your first appointment, your consultant will usually request same-day diagnostic imagery to find out exactly what is happening in your hip joint. This imaging may include:
An expert musculoskeletal radiologist reports on every scan, ensuring your consultant has all the information required. They'll then be in a better position to recommend the most effective course of hip arthritis treatment.
An expert musculoskeletal radiologist reports on every scan, ensuring your consultant has all the information required. They'll then be in a better position to recommend the most effective course of hip arthritis treatment.
Yes, throughout our network we have teams of specialist musculoskeletal physiotherapists who can help you. They'll assess your condition and come up with a treatment plan to help you manage your hip arthritis. Together, you'll set goals that are tailored to your circumstances and needs.
If your symptoms are severe, your arthritis could be treated with a hip replacement. It is one of the most common replacement surgeries. At HCA UK, we perform more than 1,000 hip replacements each year. The benefits of this procedure include:
- Reducing or eliminating pain and stiffness in the joint
- Improving your range of movement
- Enhancing your quality of life
- Improving your ability to exercise and perform other everyday tasks
- Initial pain and stiffness post-surgery, improving with time
- Infection near the incision or in deeper tissue nearer the implant. Most infections can be treated with antibiotics, but severe infections near the implant may require further surgery
- Blood clots in the veins of your leg. You may be prescribed blood thinning medication to reduce this risk
The cost of your treatment will depend on the package of care your consultant recommends. Prices for hip replacement surgery start from around £15,000. This includes your pre-assessment, private accommodation at one of our hospitals for an expected stay of three nights, meals and your take-home medication. If you are a self-pay patient, your consultant will provide details on our fixed-price hip replacement packages.
Patient stories
How hip replacement changes after a decade: Eric’s story
Eric went from playing tennis frequently - and playing well - to barely being able to put his socks and shoes on in the morning.
Yvette's story: From back pain to hip replacement surgery
Yvette (54) a journalist from Kent, started experiencing pain in her hip seven years ago in 2015. An ex-national gymnast who had been incredibly active and flexible her whole life, Yvette felt concerned about the growing discomfort impacting her quality of life, and so sought help from her GP.
A new hip and straight back into the spin of things
David’s gym video shows him repeatedly pushing up to 100kg on a single leg press – not particularly unusual for this keen cyclist, former competitive squash player and all-round fitness enthusiast. What is unusual is that 52-year-old David had hip surgery just 12 weeks earlier.
“From the second I went in to the second I left it was like a finely tuned Swiss watch. I was up the next day, just like they’d said, moving about with just one crutch. I couldn’t believe it.”
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This content is intended for general information only and does not replace the need for personal advice from a qualified health professional.