What is hip pain?

If you hip is affected by arthritis you may feel pain in your groin, thighs, lower back and sometimes your pain will also be felt in your knees especially when standing or moving. Hip pain is more commonly due to osteoarthritis (OA), but can also occur if you have long-standing rheumatoid arthritis.

There are many things that can help you manage arthritis of the hip. The first steps are regular exercise, weight loss and using medicines wisely

Should I see a doctor?

About one in 5 people with arthritis may have arthritis involving their hips, generally occurring in people who have had arthritis for several years.

You should talk to your doctor or other healthcare professional if your pain is bothering you or is persisting. They will talk about your symptoms, examine the movement of your hips and assess your arthritis.

What can I do?   

There are many treatments that can be helpful for arthritis of the hip.  Here are some tips.

Weight loss

Being overweight can lead to more pain and damage to hips and knees affected by arthritis. Lose any extra body weight if you are overweight to lighten the load on your sore joints. See a dietitian for help if you are finding it difficult to maintain a healthy body weight.

Exercise

Regular exercise is one of the most important treatments for arthritis of the hip. It helps to reduce pain and maintain your general health. To protect your sore joints, try low-impact activities, where there is less weight going through your hips and knees such as swimming, cycling and walking. You could also try:

• Water exercise: buoyancy of the water takes pressure off your hips and you may find you can move more freely than you can on land. See Water exercise for more information.
• Strengthening exercises: Exercises to strengthen the muscles around your hip can also help reduce pain. See Strength training for more information.
• Tai chi: Studies show that tai chi can help reduce pain and stiffness for people with arthritis. See Tai chi for more information.

If you have hip pain, you are more likely to have weakness and tightness of certain muscles in the hip and leg. If possible, consult a physiotherapist or exercise physiologist for advice about a program to suit you. See Physical activity for more information about exercise.

Medicines

Your doctor may recommend certain medicines to help reduce your hip pain, depending on what type of arthritis you have and your medical history. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist about medicines and the best way to use them for your condition. See Medicines for more information.

Aids or supports

Walking sticks or canes may help reduce the load on your hip and lessen pain. Always use the walking stick on the opposite side to your sore joint (if your right hip is affected, use the walking stick in your left hand). See a physiotherapist for advice about any of these aids or supports.

• CONTACT YOUR LOCAL ARTHRITIS OFFICE FOR MORE INFORMATION AND SUPPORT SERVICES.