OSTEOARTHRITIS OF THE HIP (OA HIP)
What is Hip Osteoarthritis?
Hip osteoarthritis is the inflammation and wearing away of the cartilage of the hip joint, a condition that is more likely to develop as people age. It can develop at any age, although it is more commonly diagnosed in older adults. Osteoarthritis results when injury or inflammation in a joint causes the soft, shock-absorbing cartilage that lines and cushions the joint surfaces to break down. When the cartilage is damaged the joint can become painful and swollen. Over time, this condition can cause stiffness, muscle weakness, and increasing pain, leading to limited function.
There is no one reason to develop hip OA. The incidence of developing symptoms from hip OA increase with age and in people who have injured their hip in the past. The lifetime risk, the probability of developing symptomatic hip OA over the lifetime, is 25%.222222222
Signs and Symptoms
Hip OA may cause symptoms including:
- Sharp, shooting pain or dull, achy pain in the hip, groin, thigh, knee, or buttocks
- Stiffness in the hip joint, which is worse after sleeping or sitting
- Weakness of the muscles in the lower extremity
- A “crunching” sound when the hip joint is moved, caused by bone rubbing on bone
- Difficulty and pain when getting out of bed, standing up from a sitting position, walking, or climbing stairs
- Difficulty performing normal daily activities, such as putting on socks and shoes
Treatment we offer
Ultrasound-Guided Cortisone Injections
Ultrasound-guided cortisone injections for hip osteoarthritis help reduce inflammation within the hip joint, leading to significant pain relief and improved mobility. By delivering the medication directly into the affected area, cortisone works quickly to calm irritation and ease stiffness, making daily activities more manageable.
Ultrasound-Guided Hyaluronic Acid Injections
Ultrasound-guided hyaluronic acid injections for hip osteoarthritis help improve joint lubrication and cushioning within the hip. This reduces friction between the bones, supports smoother movement, and helps relieve pain and stiffness, enhancing overall joint function and comfort.
Ultrasound-Guided PRP Injections
Ultrasound-guided PRP injections for hip osteoarthritis use concentrated growth factors from your own blood to support natural healing within the joint. PRP helps reduce inflammation, improve the joint environment, and may gradually decrease pain while enhancing hip function and mobility over time.
Your Care Pathway with us
- To book an appointment you can call our normal reception line, 0142084487, email direct to info@altonpainclinic.co.uk or click the button given below.
- Comprehensive Musculoskeletal examination and testing.
- Same day Ultrasound Guided Injection for pain relief.
- Discussion of your treatment plan; Treatment Plans can include i.e advanced treatments for ex. Cortisone Injections, Hyaluronic injections and various other options tailored for your specific needs.
Pain Reduction with Ultrasound-Guided Cortisone Injections
- Rapidly decreases inflammation within the hip joint, which is a major source of osteoarthritis pain
- Helps reduce swelling and irritation around the joint lining (synovium)
- Provides relatively quick pain relief, often within days of treatment
- Improves comfort during walking, standing, and other weight-bearing activities
- Particularly useful for flare-ups or moderate to severe pain episodes
Pain Reduction with Ultrasound-Guided Hyaluronic Acid Injections
- Restores lubrication within the hip joint, reducing bone-on-bone friction
- Improves the shock-absorbing properties of the joint, reducing stress during movement
- Helps decrease mechanical pain associated with walking and joint loading
- Provides gradual improvement in pain and stiffness over time
- Supports smoother, more comfortable joint movement in daily activities
Pain Reduction with Ultrasound-Guided PRP Injections
- Works by modulating inflammation within the hip joint environment
- Releases growth factors that support tissue repair and joint healing processes
- May help improve the condition of surrounding joint tissues over time
- Provides gradual, progressive pain relief rather than immediate effects
- Aims to improve overall joint health, which can contribute to longer-term pain reduction and improved function
Diagnosis
Your clinician at Alton Pain Clinic in Alton, Hampshire will conduct a full examination that includes your medical history and will ask you questions such as:
- When and how frequently do you feel pain and/or stiffness?
- What activities in your life are made difficult by this pain and stiffness?
Your clinician will perform special tests to help determine whether you have hip OA, such as:
- Gently moving your leg in all directions (range-of-motion test)
- Asking you to resist as the physiotherapist tries to gently push your leg and hip in different directions (muscle-strength test)
- Watching you walk to check for limping
- Asking you to balance while standing (balance test)
- Testing the mobility of the hip joint
- Watching how you climb stairs, how you move from one position to another, etc.
Your clinician may use additional tests to look for problems in other parts of your body, such as your lower back. The therapist may recommend that you consult with an orthopaedic specialist, who can order diagnostic testing such as an X-ray or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to confirm the diagnosis.