Hip Arthritis (Osteoarthritis): Symptoms, Causes & PT Treatment
Updated July 20261 minute read
Hip osteoarthritis is gradual wear of the joint's cartilage, causing groin pain, stiffness, and reduced motion that's worse with weight-bearing and after rest. It's common with age, but it's not a reason to stop moving — exercise and strengthening are first-line treatments that reduce pain and keep you active for many people. PT can delay or help you avoid surgery. Joint replacement is reserved for advanced cases.
What is hip osteoarthritis?
Osteoarthritis is the gradual breakdown of cartilage in the ball-and-socket hip joint. As it thins, the joint gets stiffer and more sensitive. It's a leading cause of long-term hip pain in older adults.
Symptoms
Typical signs are groin or front-of-hip pain (sometimes referring to the thigh or knee), stiffness that's worst in the morning or after sitting, reduced rotation, and pain with walking or stairs. Symptoms often come and go in flares.
What causes it / risk factors
Age, prior hip injury, family history, higher body weight, and certain joint shapes (like impingement) all raise risk.
How it's diagnosed
Diagnosis is from history and exam, sometimes confirmed with X-ray. As elsewhere, imaging findings don't always match pain levels, so treatment targets symptoms and function.
Physical therapy treatment
What a PT does. Your therapist measures strength, motion, and walking ability, then designs a graded exercise plan. Exercises & progression (overview). Glute and hip strengthening, mobility, low-impact aerobic activity, and (where relevant) weight management. Exercise is recommended first-line in every major OA guideline. Recovery timeline. OA is managed rather than cured; many people feel less pain and move better within 6–12 weeks.
Treatment options compared
PT and exercise are first-line. Pain relievers and walking aids support activity. Hip replacement is considered for advanced OA when conservative care no longer controls symptoms — and "prehab" PT improves outcomes.
Red flags
A hot, swollen joint with fever needs urgent evaluation. Inability to bear weight after a fall, or new calf swelling with breathlessness, also warrant prompt care.
Frequently asked questions
Sources (4)
- Cibulka MT, et al. Hip Pain and Mobility Deficits — Hip Osteoarthritis: Revision 2017. Clinical Practice Guidelines. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther. 2017. — PubMed
- Bannuru RR, et al. OARSI guidelines for the non-surgical management of knee, hip, and polyarticular osteoarthritis. Osteoarthritis Cartilage. 2019. — PubMed
- MedlinePlus: Osteoarthritis. — NIH/MedlinePlus
- AAOS OrthoInfo: Osteoarthritis of the Hip. — AAOS OrthoInfo
This article is for education only and isn't medical advice. Always talk to a licensed clinician about your specific situation.