What is hip arthritis?
The smooth cartilage lining your hip joint gradually wears away, leaving bone rubbing on bone. The result is pain, stiffness and — over time — a shrinking world: shorter walks, disturbed sleep, giving up the things you enjoy. It is not simply “wear and tear to put up with”; it is a treatable condition.
Common symptoms
- Groin or thigh pain — sometimes felt in the knee
- Stiffness putting on shoes and socks, or getting out of a car
- Pain at night that disturbs sleep
- A limp, or walking shorter distances than you used to
- Grinding, clicking or a feeling the hip may “catch”
How it is diagnosed
A careful history and examination usually tell most of the story. A standing X-ray — often taken the same visit — confirms the diagnosis and grades severity. An MRI is occasionally added when the picture is less clear, or when a labral tear or early arthritis is suspected in a younger patient.
Your treatment options
When should I seek help?
If hip pain is limiting your walking, your sleep or your sport — or you find yourself planning your day around it — it is worth a conversation. Seeing a specialist early does not commit you to surgery; it simply means every option, including the simplest ones, is still on the table.