Condition
Hip arthritis
Loss of the smooth cartilage lining the hip joint, so bone moves against bone. Also called osteoarthritis of the hip.
What it usually feels like
- Groin pain that has slowly worsened over months or years
- Pain that now wakes you at night
- A shorter walking distance than a year ago
Common causes
- Age and wear over time
- Previous hip injury or fracture
- Childhood hip conditions
- Family history
Treatment
How this is treated
Treatment starts with the least invasive option that is likely to work.
- Step 1
Weight management and low-impact exercise such as cycling or swimming
- Step 2
Physiotherapy and pain medication
- Step 3
Total hip replacement, which Dr Moagi performs including by the AMIS anterior minimally invasive approach
Do not wait
When to be seen urgently
- Pain no longer controlled by medication
- You are becoming housebound
This page is general health information, not a diagnosis. Only an examination can tell you what is wrong with your joint.
If you need help now
Outside consulting hours, report to the Casualty Department at Netcare Ferncrest Hospital or Life Peglerae Hospital in Rustenburg. If the injury is life-threatening, call 10177 immediately. Please do not use the enquiry form for an emergency.