Aiming to help you move more comfortably when hip osteoarthritis begins to affect daily life.
The hip joint is one of the body’s major weight-bearing joints. It supports movement when you walk, bend, stand, climb stairs, and carry out everyday tasks. This means that when this joint is affected by hip osteoarthritis, even simple activities may become difficult.
Hip osteoarthritis is the most common form of arthritis affecting the hip. It is a type of degenerative joint disease, sometimes called degenerative joint disease, where the articular cartilage and cartilage lining that cushion the joint gradually wear down over time.
As the hip joint gradually wears, movement may become stiffer and more uncomfortable. Many people notice hip pain, groin pain, thigh pain, morning stiffness, or a limited range of motion. For some, symptoms progress slowly. For others, severe pain may begin to interfere with sleep, walking and independence. This is where seeing a hip surgeon for a hip replacement may be worthwhile.
The hip is a ball-and-socket joint made up of the femoral head (the ball at the top of the thigh bone) and the hip socket. Healthy cartilage creates a smooth joint surface that helps joints be flexible and move comfortably.
When cartilage wears away, the affected joint may become inflamed, irritated, and stiff. The joint space may narrow, damaged articular cartilage may expose bone underneath, and bone spurs can develop around the joint.
The disease affects everyone differently. Some patients experience mild stiffness, while others experience severe pain confined to the groin or thigh and increasing difficulty with movement.
Common factors that may contribute to hip osteoarthritis include:
A careful assessment is often the first step in understanding what may be causing your symptoms. Dr Hagop Kiyork will discuss your concerns, perform a physical examination, and review how pain is affecting your daily activities.
Investigations may include:
Many patients may improve with nonsurgical treatment and conservative treatment options, such as:
When symptoms persist despite these measures, hip joint replacement surgery, or a total hip replacement, may be discussed. This is considered only after careful assessment and a detailed conversation about suitable options. Seeing an orthopaedic surgeon does not automatically mean replacement surgery is required.
Not everybody feels hip osteoarthritis in exactly the same way. However, some common symptoms people report include hip pain, groin pain, thigh pain, morning stiffness, difficulty climbing stairs, and a limited range of motion. Some people also notice pain at night or after activity.
Diagnosis usually involves discussing your symptoms, a physical examination, and imaging such as X-rays. In some cases, additional diagnostic tests or blood tests may be recommended.
Yes, in some cases. Many patients report a reduction in pain after conservative treatment such as lifestyle modifications, medication, physiotherapy, assistive devices, and strategies to reduce stress on the affected joint. However, results vary from person to person. Dr Hagop Kiyork will discuss your likely outcomes with you and work with you to develop your path forward.
We may discuss hip replacement when hip pain becomes persistent, movement is significantly limited, and nonsurgical treatment is no longer providing enough relief.
Hip osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis are different conditions, although both tend to cause hip pain, stiffness, and reduced movement. Hip osteoarthritis is a form of degenerative joint disease that develops when the cartilage lining of the hip joint gradually wears down. Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune condition where the immune system attacks the lining of the joints, causing inflammation. Osteoarthritis can also occur in the presence of rheumatoid arthritis. Because symptoms can sometimes feel similar, a physical examination, imaging, and occasionally blood tests may help clarify the cause. If rheumatoid disease is suspected, a review with a rheumatologist may be recommended.
Dr Hagop Kiyork cares for patients with hip and knee conditions across Sydney, including the Northern Beaches and Upper North Shore.
He assesses every patient individually, taking the time to explain findings and discuss appropriate options clearly.
When hip joint replacement surgery is appropriate, he may recommend robotic-assisted planning to support precision and individualised care.
Living with an arthritic hip may gradually affect your mobility and overall quality of life. If hip osteoarthritis is making everyday movement harder than it should be, early assessment may help clarify your options.
Dr Hagop Kiyork consults in Wahroonga, Frenchs Forest, and Mona Vale, caring for patients across Sydney’s Upper North Shore and Northern Beaches. Contact us today to arrange your consultation.
