Hip Conditions (Overview)

Overview

The hip is a large weight-bearing joint that allows your leg to move in many directions. When the hip is healthy, cartilage covers the bone surfaces, allowing smooth, pain-free movement. The hip joint also contains muscles, tendons, and ligaments that provide stability and control.

Hip problems can develop from wear and tear, injury, or disease, and may cause pain, stiffness, and reduced mobility. Common hip conditions range from arthritis to fractures to impingement syndromes. Understanding your hip condition is an important first step in finding relief.

Our surgeons treat a wide range of hip conditions, from non-surgical management to advanced surgical techniques. This page introduces some of the most common conditions affecting the hip.

When to Seek Evaluation

If you experience any of the following, a hip evaluation may be helpful:

• Pain in your hip, groin, or buttock
• Stiffness or reduced range of motion
• Clicking, catching, or grinding sensations
• Weakness or instability when walking
• Night pain or pain at rest
• Pain that limits your daily activities or exercise
• Recent hip injury or trauma

A consultation with an orthopaedic surgeon will include physical examination, imaging studies (such as X-rays or MRI), and discussion of your symptoms. This helps identify the cause of your problem and guide treatment decisions.

Treatment Approaches

Treatment for hip conditions varies widely depending on the specific diagnosis, severity, and your individual circumstances. Your surgeon will recommend an approach tailored to your needs.

Non-surgical options may include physiotherapy and exercise, weight management, activity modification, pain-relieving medications, and corticosteroid injections to reduce inflammation.

Surgical options depend on the specific condition:

• Hip replacement is used for advanced arthritis when non-surgical treatments have failed
• Hip resurfacing is a bone-preserving alternative to hip replacement for younger, active patients
• Hip arthroscopy is a minimally invasive procedure used to treat labral tears, impingement, and other intra-articular problems
• Fracture repair may involve internal fixation with screws and plates or hip replacement, depending on fracture location and severity

Your surgeon will discuss which approach is most appropriate for your condition.

Recovery Expectations

Recovery depends entirely on which hip condition you have and what treatment is recommended.

Non-surgical management typically requires consistent physiotherapy and patience as your body adapts to activity modifications. Improvements may take several weeks to months.

Surgical recovery varies significantly:

• Hip arthroscopy: Usually 1–2 weeks to resume light activities, 4–8 weeks for normal daily activities
• Hip resurfacing: Usually 4–8 weeks to resume light activities, 3–6 months for full return to activities
• Hip replacement: Usually 1–3 weeks in hospital, 3–6 months to resume light activities, 6–12 months for full recovery
• Fracture repair: Recovery depends on fracture type and fixation method; typically 3–6 months to full weight-bearing

Physiotherapy is important for all hip conditions. Your surgeon or physiotherapist will guide your rehabilitation program.

Risks & Complications

Risks vary depending on your specific condition and chosen treatment. Non-surgical management carries minimal risk but may not provide complete pain relief. Surgical treatments carry general surgical risks including infection, blood clots, and nerve injury, along with condition-specific risks. Your surgeon will discuss all relevant risks during your consultation.

Frequently Asked Questions

What causes hip pain? Hip pain can result from many conditions, including osteoarthritis (wear and tear), rheumatoid arthritis (autoimmune disease), hip fractures, femoroacetabular impingement (bone growth pinching soft tissue), labral tears, osteonecrosis (bone death from poor blood supply), developmental dysplasia (shallow hip socket), and hip dislocation. A thorough evaluation helps identify the specific cause.

When should I see an orthopaedic surgeon for hip pain? You should see a specialist if you have persistent hip pain lasting more than a few weeks, if pain is limiting your activities significantly, or if conservative treatment (rest, physiotherapy, medication) has not helped. Early evaluation can help identify problems before they worsen.

Are there age restrictions on hip surgery? No. Age alone is not a barrier to hip surgery. Your overall health, bone quality, and functional needs are more important. Many people in their 80s and 90s have successful hip surgery. Your surgeon will assess your fitness for surgery based on your medical history and current health.

How do I know if I need surgery or can manage with physiotherapy? Your surgeon will help you decide based on the severity of your condition, your pain level, your functional goals, and how well you’ve responded to conservative treatment. Many hip conditions respond well to non-surgical management initially, but if pain significantly affects your quality of life, surgery may be the most effective option.

Can hip conditions be prevented? Maintaining a healthy weight, staying physically active, avoiding high-impact repetitive activities, protecting yourself from falls and injuries, and addressing hip problems early can all help reduce risk. If you have a family history of arthritis, discuss preventive strategies with your doctor.