Pain is the most frequent symptom for patients with hip arthritis. The pain is usually described as being in the groin, buttocks, thigh or occasionally the knee. The pain is frequently associated with activity and relieved by rest. It may occur at night and, in severe cases, prevent sleep. Patients also complain of stiffness and often limp when they walk.
Doctors diagnose arthritis with a medical history, physical exam and x-rays of the hip.
Conservative, or non-surgical, treatment is effective in the early stages of arthritis. Conservative care includes weight loss, activity modification, anti-inflammatory medication or cortisone shots. The surgery to implant the prosthesis is termed a total hip replacement. The hip replacement recreates the normal function of the hip. While the idea of getting an artificial hip joint may be frightening to some, it is one of the safest and most effective medical procedures.