Hip Osteoarthritis

 
 

Mr Kosuge’s Patient Information Booklet on Hip Osteoarthritis. Please click on image to access the leaflet.

What is Hip Osteoarthritis?

Osteoarthritis of the hip is the most common reason for hip replacement surgery in the United Kingdom. It is a condition in which the smooth articular cartilage covering the surfaces of the hip joint gradually wears away, leading to pain, stiffness, and progressive difficulty with movement. Whilst the condition is often described as 'wear and tear', this is an oversimplification — the underlying process involves changes to the cartilage, bone, and surrounding soft tissues.

Mr Dennis Kosuge is a Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon with a specialist interest in hip conditions, including osteoarthritis. He sees patients at The Rivers Hospital in Sawbridgeworth (private) and The Princess Alexandra Hospital, Harlow (NHS), drawing patients from across Essex and Hertfordshire.

What does hip osteoarthritis feel like?

The symptoms of hip osteoarthritis can develop gradually over months or years and vary in severity. Common symptoms include:

  • Pain in the groin, hip, or referred to the thigh or knee

  • Stiffness of the hip, particularly after periods of rest or first thing in the morning

  • A reduced range of movement, making activities such as putting on shoes and socks more difficult

  • A limp or altered gait

  • A grating or grinding sensation in the hip joint

  • Pain that worsens with activity and, in more advanced cases, is present at rest or at night

 

Mr Kosuge’s Patient Information Booklet on Hip Joint Injection. Please click on image to access the booklet.

How is hip osteoarthritis diagnosed?

Diagnosis is based on a careful clinical history and examination, supported by imaging. Plain X-rays of the hip typically demonstrate narrowing of the joint space, osteophyte (bone spur) formation, and subchondral sclerosis — all hallmarks of osteoarthritis.

Mr Kosuge will examine your range of motion and review your imaging. MRI is occasionally used to exclude other causes of pain.

What is the difference between hip osteoarthritis and other types of hip pain?

Hip osteoarthritis typically causes groin pain worsening with activity. Other causes include trochanteric bursitis (outer hip), referred pain from the lumbar spine, labral tears and avascular necrosis. Mr Kosuge will assess the source of your pain carefully at your consultation.

Can hip osteoarthritis be treated without surgery?

Mr Kosuge's approach to hip osteoarthritis begins with non-surgical management wherever possible. Treatment options include:

  • Activity modification and education about the condition

  • Physiotherapy and targeted exercise programmes to improve strength and joint stability

  • Pain relief medication, including anti-inflammatory drugs

  • Weight management advice, as excess body weight increases joint loading

  • Hip injection to provide symptomatic relief

When non-surgical measures are no longer providing adequate relief and your quality of life is significantly affected, Hip replacement surgery may be recommended. Mr Kosuge is highly experienced in total hip replacement and will guide you through all available options.

Mr Kosuge’s Patient Information Booklet on Hip Replacement surgery. Please click on image to access the booklet.

What injections are available for hip osteoarthritis?

Corticosteroid injections can provide effective short-term pain relief, typically lasting weeks to months. If appropriate, Mr Kosuge will be happy to discuss this as an option at your consultation.

More Frequently Asked Questions:

  • The rate of progression varies significantly between individuals and cannot be reliably predicted from X-ray findings alone. Some patients remain stable for years; others deteriorate more quickly. Regular review with a specialist allows any significant progression to be identified and managed appropriately. The X-ray appearance does not always correlate with the degree of symptoms — some patients with advanced X-ray changes have relatively little pain, and vice versa.

  • You should seek a specialist assessment if your hip pain is significantly affecting your sleep, daily activities or mobility, or if conservative treatments such as physiotherapy and pain relief are no longer providing adequate benefit. Mr Kosuge offers private consultations at The Rivers Hospital, Sawbridgeworth, and can usually arrange an appointment within a few days. A GP referral is not required for self-pay patients.

Book a Consultation

If you are experiencing hip pain and suspect you may have osteoarthritis, Mr Kosuge offers expert assessment and a full range of treatment options at The Rivers Hospital, Sawbridgeworth, and The Princess Alexandra Hospital, Harlow. Private consultations are available for self-pay and insured patients.

To book an appointment, please call 01279 602675 or use the online booking link below.

NHS referrals to The Princess Alexandra Hospital, Harlow are also accepted via your GP.

BOOK AN APPOINTMENT