A stiff, aching hip that’s slowly making walking, socks and car journeys harder doesn’t automatically mean a hip replacement is around the corner. Exercise-based treatment is the recommended first-line care for hip osteoarthritis – and whether your goal is to delay surgery, avoid it, or recover brilliantly from it, we can help.
Does this sound familiar?
- “A deep ache in my groin or thigh after walking”
- “Putting on shoes and socks is getting awkward”
- “I’m stiff getting out of the car or up from low chairs”
- “It’s waking me at night”
- “I’ve been told ‘come back when you can’t bear it and we’ll replace it'”
What is hip osteoarthritis?
Osteoarthritis is a gradual change in the hip joint’s cartilage and surrounding bone, typically from midlife onwards. Symptoms often fluctuate – flare-ups don’t mean the joint is rapidly deteriorating. And as with knees, X-ray appearance correlates poorly with pain: we treat how your hip behaves, not just how it looks on film.
How we treat it
- A progressive strength and mobility programme – the most evidence-supported non-surgical treatment for hip OA
- Hands-on treatment to ease pain and stiffness so you can move and train comfortably
- Medical acupuncture as an adjunct for pain where appropriate
- Practical guidance on pacing, walking aids (only if needed) and staying active
- Pre-hab and post-op rehab for hip replacement – patients who go into surgery stronger come out of it faster, and structured rehab afterwards is a core specialism of our physio team
Why choose The Health Hub
- Physiotherapists with specific expertise in hip and knee post-operative rehabilitation
- A realistic, exercise-first approach – no false promises, no scaremongering
- Multidisciplinary support for the back and knee problems that often accompany an arthritic hip
- Rated 5★ on Google from 250+ patients
→Book your hip assessment or call 01444 817851
- Can exercise really help an arthritic hip?
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Yes – it’s the most consistently effective non-surgical treatment, improving pain and function in the majority of people. It needs to be progressive and specific, which is what we build for you.
- Will I definitely need a hip replacement?
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No. Many people manage well long-term. If you do reach that point, hip replacement is one of the most successful operations in medicine – and rehab either side of it improves the result.
- Is walking good or bad for hip arthritis?
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Good, within comfortable limits. We’ll help you find the level that keeps you active without repeated flare-ups.
- What about injections?
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Steroid injections (arranged via GP or consultant) can offer short-term relief and are best used as a window for strengthening. We’re happy to coordinate care around one.