What does arthritis in hip feel like?

Arthritis in the hip can cause pain, stiffness, and reduced range of motion. The most common symptoms of hip arthritis include:

Pain in the hip joint or groin area
Stiffness and difficulty moving the hip

A crunching or grinding sensation in the hip joint
Difficulty walking or performing daily activities
Swelling and inflammation around the hip joint

The severity of symptoms can range from mild discomfort to severe, debilitating pain. Factors like the type of arthritis, extent of joint damage, and individual pain tolerance all affect the intensity of hip arthritis symptoms.

Table of Contents

What Causes Hip Arthritis?

There are several types of arthritis that can affect the hip joint:

Osteoarthritis: The most common type, caused by wear and tear on the joint over time. More prevalent in older adults.

Rheumatoid arthritis: An autoimmune disease that causes joint inflammation and damage.
Post-traumatic arthritis: Caused by an injury, fracture, or dislocation of the hip.
Avascular necrosis: Loss of blood flow to the femoral head leads to bone cell death.

Septic arthritis: Joint infection that causes severe inflammation and rapid damage.

In osteoarthritis, the cartilage protecting the bones of the hip joint gradually wears away. As the cartilage thins, more pressure is put on the bones. The bones respond by growing abnormal bony projections called bone spurs. All these changes within the joint cause pain and restricted motion.

Common Areas of Hip Pain

Arthritis leads to pain in several parts of the hip region:

Inside of the hip: Pain felt deep within the joint, caused by cartilage breakdown and inflammation.
Groin: Pain radiating to the groin area, may indicate arthritis or a hip labrum tear.
Buttocks: Referred pain from the hip joint that is felt in the buttock muscles.

Outside of hip: Pain on the outer side of the hip joint caused by bursitis or iliotibial band tightness.
Thigh: Pain that radiates down the thigh is called hip radiculopathy, indicating nerve irritation.

The exact location of pain depends on which part of the hip joint is affected. Inside hip pain suggests cartilage damage, while outer hip pain may be from soft tissue inflammation around the joint. Groin and thigh pain can result from arthritis but may also have other causes.

What Does Arthritis Hip Pain Feel Like?

People describe hip arthritis pain in many ways. Here are some of the most common sensations:

Aching: A constant, dull, throbbing pain.
Stabbing: Brief, sharp pains with movement, especially weight-bearing.

Stiffness: Difficulty moving the hip joint after rest causes morning stiffness.
Burning: Can be felt in the hip, groin or thigh areas.
Grinding: Audible and palpable crunching of the damaged joint.

Soreness: Tenderness around the hip joint.

The degree of pain ranges from mild to completely debilitating. Many people report the pain interferes with sleep and daily activities. Pain that comes on suddenly or is accompanied by swelling requires prompt medical attention.

Factors That Influence Hip Arthritis Pain

Several factors affect the amount of pain and disability someone experiences:

Extent of joint damage: More cartilage loss causes more bone-on-bone arthritis pain.
Inflammation: Swelling puts pressure on joint nerves, increasing pain.
Individual pain tolerance: Everyone experiences pain differently.

Activity level: Arthritis worsens with higher levels of activity.
Weather: Cold, damp climates can make pain worse.
Excess weight: More body weight puts extra stress on hip joints.

Muscle weakness: Weak muscles leave the joint less supported.

Managing these factors through medication, activity modifications, weight loss, and physical therapy can help reduce arthritis pain.

How Does Arthritis Change Your Hip Function?

Arthritis alters the mechanics of the hip joint, leading to:

Stiffness: Joint inflammation makes the hip stiff, especially first thing in the morning or after sitting.
Limited mobility: The hip’s range of motion decreases, hampering flexibility.
Loss of strength: Surrounding muscles weaken from disuse and arthritis pain.

Instability: Damaged connective tissues make the joint loose and unstable.
Difficulty walking: Arthritis interferes with smooth gait patterns.
Joint deformity: Severe damage can alter the shape of the joint.

These physical changes make it harder to move the hip properly during daily activities. Something as simple as putting on shoes can become difficult.

How Does Arthritis Progress Over Time?

Arthritis is a degenerative condition that tends to progressively worsen. Without treatment, osteoarthritis progresses through these stages:

Early: Mild, intermittent pain; X-rays may appear normal.

Moderate: Stiffness, muscle weakness, and pain during activities.
Severe: Persistent pain even at rest, significant difficulty walking.
End-stage: Severe joint deformity, limited mobility, and chronic pain.

The rate of arthritis progression varies. Controlling inflammation and limiting high-impact activities helps slow the degeneration. Total hip replacement is often necessary in end-stage osteoarthritis.

How Can You Tell If Hip Pain Is From Arthritis?

Hip arthritis has some distinct symptoms, but shares features with other causes of hip pain. See your doctor if you have:

Hip pain present most days, worsens with activity

Stiffness in the hip joint lasting over 30 minutes
Limited ability to move the hip through its range of motion
Pain, crunching, or popping noises when moving the hip

Difficulty putting on shoes and socks due to hip pain
X-ray shows decreased joint space, bone spurs or cysts

However, many conditions can cause similar hip symptoms. Your doctor will examine the hip and order imaging tests to confirm arthritis.

Imaging Tests Used To Diagnose Hip Arthritis

Doctors use imaging studies to evaluate hip arthritis:

X-rays: Show loss of joint space, bone spurs, and bone cysts.
MRI: Evaluates cartilage, labrum, and soft tissues around the hip.

CT scan: Provides 3D view and detailed anatomy.
Ultrasound: Assesses soft tissues and guides joint injections.
Bone scan: Tracks inflammation in the joint.

These tests create images of the hip anatomy. The amount of joint space narrowing, bone damage, and cartilage loss helps classify arthritis severity.

How Is Hip Arthritis Diagnosed?

Doctors use a combination of methods to diagnose hip arthritis:

Medical history to check for injury, overuse, and risk factors.

Physical exam assessing hip mobility and sites of pain.
Imaging tests like x-rays, MRI, and ultrasound.
Lab tests to rule out inflammatory types of arthritis.

Injecting numbing medicine into the joint to confirm it as the pain source.

Diagnosing the exact type of arthritis helps guide appropriate treatment. Early diagnosis is key to controlling progression and symptoms.

Treatment Options for Hip Arthritis

Hip arthritis has many treatment options to manage pain and retain function:

Medications: Acetaminophen, NSAIDs, corticosteroid injections
Weight loss: Reduces stress on the damaged joint
Physical therapy: Stretches, strengthens muscles, improves mobility

Assistive devices: Canes, walkers, raised toilet seats
Alternative therapies: Yoga, tai chi, massage, acupuncture
Surgery: Joint repair, osteotomy, partial or total joint replacement

Treatment aims to relieve pain, improve function, delay surgery, and enhance quality of life. A combination approach works best for most people.

Medications for Hip Arthritis Pain Relief

Medications that help manage hip arthritis pain include:

Acetaminophen (Tylenol)

NSAIDs like ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) or naproxen (Aleve)
Stronger prescription NSAIDs
Tramadol

Capsaicin creams
Duloxetine (Cymbalta)
Joint injections with corticosteroids

Oral and topical medications reduce inflammation. Joint injections provide direct, concentrated pain relief. Cymbalta treats chronic musculoskeletal pain.

Physical Therapy for Hip Arthritis

Physical therapy helps retain hip mobility and function. PT treatments for hip arthritis include:

Stretching and range of motion exercises

Muscle strengthening
Low-impact aerobic conditioning
Training for daily activities

Assistive device fitting and training
Manual therapy techniques
Therapeutic ultrasound

Electrical stimulation

PT allows people with arthritis to stay active and independent. It can delay the need for surgery.

When Is Surgery Needed for Hip Arthritis?

If nonsurgical treatments no longer manage symptoms, hip arthritis surgery options include:

Debridement to smooth rough cartilage
Osteotomy to redistribute weightbearing forces
Partial hip replacement (hemiarthroplasty) if the joint is only partly damaged

Total hip replacement to remove and replace the damaged joint

Surgery relieves pain and restores mobility in severe, end-stage arthritis. Candidates for surgery have exhausting hip pain and disability despite other treatments.

Exercises To Improve Hip Arthritis Pain

Specific exercises can relieve hip arthritis pain and stiffness. Try these beneficial moves:

Hip Flexor Stretch

Stand near a wall for balance. Raise your leg and rest your foot on a chair behind you.
Gently press your hips forward until you feel a stretch in the front of your hip.
Hold for 30 seconds, then lower your leg and repeat on the other side.

This stretch elongates tight hip flexors that can increase strain on the joint.

Bridge

Lie on your back with knees bent and arms at your sides.
Tighten your abdominal muscles and lift your hips off the floor.

Avoid arching your back as you lift your hips. Hold for 5 seconds.
Slowly lower back down and repeat 10 times. Rest and do a second set.

Bridging strengthens your gluteal and hip muscles to support the joint.

Clamshell

Lie on your side with knees bent at 90 degrees, heels together.
Keep feet touching and open your knees like a clamshell.
Hold 5 seconds then close back together. Repeat 10 times.

This move targets the muscles around the hip to improve stability.

Hip Abduction

Stand with feet hip-width apart. Slide your leg straight out to the side.
Keep your toes facing forward. Only move your leg, not your torso.

Slide your leg back to the starting position. Perform 2 sets of 10 reps.

Abducting the hip strengthens the gluteus medius muscle that supports the joint.

Lifestyle Changes To Help Hip Arthritis

Along with medical treatment, making certain lifestyle adjustments helps relieve hip arthritis:

Lose excess weight: Reduces stress on weightbearing joints.
Exercise regularly: Improves flexibility, strength and function.
Change movement patterns: Avoid pivoting or twisting motions.

Use assistive devices: Canes, walkers and raised chairs reduce pain.
Modify activities: Avoid high-impact sports, use ice after activity.
Perform gentle stretches: Prevents excessive tightness and stiffness.

Simple changes make daily tasks easier. Balance rest periods with gentle activity. Proper body mechanics protects the arthritic hip joint.

What Kind of Doctor Treats Hip Arthritis?

There are several types of doctors who treat hip arthritis:

Primary care physician: Initial doctor who diagnoses hip arthritis and coordinates treatment.

Rheumatologist: Specializes in arthritis and autoimmune joint diseases.
Orthopedic surgeon: Performs hip arthroscopy or replacement surgery.
Physical therapist: Provides rehabilitation to retain mobility and strength.

Occupational therapist: Trains for modifications in daily tasks like dressing.

Your primary doctor will assemble a care team based on your individual arthritis needs. Specialists provide targeted treatments for maximizing your hip function.

When To See A Doctor for Hip Pain

See your doctor promptly if you have hip pain with:

Limited ability to move your hip normally
Pain at rest or at night that interferes with sleep
Stiffness lasting over an hour in the morning

Sudden swelling, warmth or redness in the hip
Trauma like a fall or injury to the hip
Pain, numbness or tingling down your leg

Severe or worsening hip pain may signify osteoarthritis or another serious condition requiring medical attention. Don’t delay seeking care.

Conclusion

Arthritis causes the hip joint to gradually degenerate, leading to pain, stiffness and loss of function. The discomfort ranges from mild aches to severe, debilitating pain. Medical imaging tests detect joint damage from arthritis. While there is no cure, many treatments help manage symptoms. Losing weight, physical therapy, anti-inflammatory medications, joint injections and surgery can help people remain active despite hip arthritis. With proper care, most people live comfortably with this common joint condition.