What causes groin pain from hip arthritis?
The hip joint sits deeper and further forward than many people expect. It is a ball and socket joint lined with smooth articular cartilage. When that cartilage wears, pain is usually felt in the groin rather than over the outer hip. As the surface thins, bone moves against bone, which brings aching, catching and stiffness. Nerve supply to the front of the joint means the discomfort is often referred down into the thigh, and sometimes as far as the knee.
Common contributors include age related wear, previous injury, childhood hip conditions, and shape variations such as femoroacetabular impingement. Groin pain from arthritis is very common, and importantly it is treatable. The NHS describes osteoarthritis as a condition that can usually be managed well with a combination of activity, weight management and pain relief, with surgery reserved for those who need it.
What are the common symptoms?
- Groin or front of thigh pain, sometimes felt in the knee
- Deep hip pain, buttock pain and sometimes lateral thigh pain
- Aching that worsens with walking, standing or hills
- Stiffness getting out of a car or a low chair
- Difficulty putting on socks or cutting toenails
- Pain at night that can disturb sleep
- A catch, click or grind deep in the joint
- A limp, or a sense that the leg feels shorter
Your treatment options
Lifestyle and physiotherapy
Targeted strengthening, activity changes and weight management, the sensible first step.
Joint injections
Image guided injections can settle pain for a time and help confirm the source.
Hip replacement
When simpler care no longer helps, modern implants with small incision options. See Hip Replacement Surgery.
Mini hip replacement
A small incision approach for suitable patients, discussed individually. See Mini Hip Replacement Surgery.
When should I seek help?
If groin pain is limiting your walking, sleep or sport, or you find yourself planning the day around it, it is worth a conversation. Seeing a specialist early does not commit you to surgery. It simply keeps every option open, including the simplest ones.
Get your hip assessed
Treatment Options
Good to know