Hip arthritis is a condition that gradually robs people of mobility, comfort, and independence. The groin pain, the limp, the difficulty putting on shoes or getting in and out of a car — these symptoms can severely affect quality of life. And yet for many patients, particularly those who are not yet ready for hip replacement surgery, there is a meaningful gap in treatment options.
This guide is for patients in Sydney’s north-west and the Southern Highlands who are dealing with hip pain and want to understand what is happening in their joint, what the treatment options are, and whether regenerative therapies like PRP might play a role in their care.
Understanding Hip Osteoarthritis
The hip is a ball-and-socket joint — the ball (femoral head) sits within the socket (acetabulum) of the pelvis. Both surfaces are covered with articular cartilage, which allows smooth, pain-free movement. In osteoarthritis (OA), this cartilage progressively breaks down. The joint space narrows, bone spurs (osteophytes) form, and the joint lining (synovium) becomes chronically inflamed.
Hip OA affects roughly 10% of adults over 60, though it can occur earlier — particularly following hip injuries, developmental conditions like hip dysplasia, or in people with a family history of the condition.
Symptoms of Hip Arthritis
- Groin pain — the most characteristic location for hip OA pain; also common in the outer hip, buttock, or thigh
- Morning stiffness that eases within 30 minutes of getting up and moving
- Reduced range of motion — particularly difficulty rotating the hip inward and outward
- Pain with weight-bearing activities — walking, standing, climbing stairs
- A limp, which may develop gradually as the body compensates for pain
- Pain at rest in more advanced stages, including at night
Diagnosing Hip Arthritis
Diagnosis is made through a combination of clinical assessment and imaging. X-rays typically show joint space narrowing, subchondral sclerosis, and osteophytes in moderate to advanced OA. MRI can identify earlier changes and other coexisting pathology such as labral tears or bone oedema.
It is important to accurately diagnose the cause of hip pain, as groin pain can also arise from the lumbar spine, the hip flexor tendons, the adductor muscles, or the hip labrum — all of which require different management.
Conventional Treatment
- Exercise and physiotherapy — the most evidence-backed first-line treatment; strengthening the hip and core muscles reduces load on the joint and improves function
- Weight management — each kilogram of weight loss reduces the force through the hip during walking by several kilograms
- Pain relief medications — paracetamol and NSAIDs for pain management; used with caution given gastrointestinal and cardiovascular risks with long-term NSAID use
- Walking aids — a walking stick in the contralateral hand can significantly reduce hip joint load
- Cortisone injection — provides short-term pain relief and can help confirm the hip joint as the source of pain; duration of benefit is variable and typically 6–12 weeks
- Total hip replacement (THR) — highly effective surgery for end-stage hip OA; indicated when conservative measures have failed and quality of life is significantly impaired
The Treatment Gap for Moderate Hip Arthritis
Many patients find themselves in a frustrating middle ground — their hip OA is causing significant pain and functional limitation, but they are either too young for a hip replacement, not ready for surgery, or do not yet meet the clinical threshold for surgical intervention. Cortisone injections provide temporary relief that becomes shorter-lived over time. NSAIDs carry too many risks for long-term use.
This is the population for whom regenerative medicine offers a meaningful option.
PRP for Hip Osteoarthritis
PRP therapy for hip arthritis involves injecting a concentration of your own platelets — rich in growth factors — directly into the hip joint under ultrasound or fluoroscopic guidance. The growth factors work to reduce synovial inflammation, support the joint environment, and potentially slow the progression of cartilage breakdown.
Clinical evidence for PRP in hip OA is growing, with studies showing improvements in pain and function that are comparable to, and in some cases superior to, cortisone injections — particularly at longer follow-up timepoints. PRP carries no systemic side effects and does not accelerate joint deterioration, unlike some other interventions.
PRP is not a cure for hip arthritis and will not reverse established structural changes. However, for patients who want to maximise function, delay surgical intervention, and use a treatment that works with their body’s biology rather than simply masking symptoms, it is a well-reasoned choice.
Get Personalised Advice in Sydney’s North-West or the Southern Highlands
Hip pain deserves a thorough assessment to ensure the right diagnosis and the right treatment plan. At Dr John PRP, we see patients from Castle Hill, Norwest, Baulkham Hills, Kellyville, Pennant Hills, Bowral, Mittagong, and throughout the Southern Highlands.
If hip pain is affecting your daily life and you want to explore all your options, book a consultation today.
For further information, visit Healthdirect Australia’s guide to osteoarthritis.