Hip osteoarthritis treatment usually starts without surgery. For most people with early or moderate hip arthritis, a combination of movement, weight management, physical therapy by referral, activity changes, oral pain relievers, image-guided injections, and supportive bracing can ease pain and protect function.
At Regenerative Joint Clinics in Riverdale, GA, our non-surgical hip osteoarthritis treatment plans are built around your diagnosis and your goals, so surgery becomes a last resort rather than a first step.
Hip osteoarthritis is common. Research suggests about 1 in 4 people who live to age 85 will develop symptomatic hip OA, and the hip is the second most affected joint after the knee. A well-designed hip osteoarthritis treatment plan can help many patients stay active and delay or avoid a hip replacement.
This guide walks through what hip osteoarthritis is, how to recognize it, and eight non-surgical hip osteoarthritis treatment options our Riverdale clinic uses to relieve pain and improve mobility.
What Is Hip Osteoarthritis?
Hip osteoarthritis (hip OA) is the gradual wearing down of the smooth cartilage that cushions the ball-and-socket hip joint. As that cartilage thins, the bones move with more friction, which leads to pain, stiffness, and reduced range of motion. Over time the joint can develop bone spurs and inflammation.
Doctors typically confirm hip OA with a physical exam and imaging such as digital X-ray. On imaging, hip OA is often graded by joint-space narrowing and other changes, and it is considered symptomatic when it comes with pain, aching, or stiffness on most days. Because the pain often shows up in the groin rather than the outer hip, hip OA is sometimes mistaken for a muscle strain, which is one reason an accurate diagnosis matters before starting any hip osteoarthritis treatment.
What Are the Symptoms of Hip Osteoarthritis?
Hip OA symptoms tend to build slowly over months or years. The most common signs include:
- Groin, thigh, or buttock pain that may radiate toward the knee
- Stiffness after sitting, resting, or first thing in the morning
- Reduced range of motion, making it harder to bend, rotate, or turn the leg
- Difficulty with daily tasks like climbing stairs, putting on shoes and socks, or getting in and out of a car
- A limp or altered walking pattern as the joint becomes more painful
- Grinding, catching, or clicking sensations in the joint
Symptoms that flare with activity and improve with rest are typical of hip OA. If pain wakes you at night or limits how far you can walk, it is worth having the joint evaluated so you can begin a hip osteoarthritis treatment plan early, when conservative care tends to work best.
Can Hip Osteoarthritis Be Treated Without Surgery?
Yes. For most patients, hip osteoarthritis can be managed without surgery for a long time. Major clinical guidelines, including the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS) clinical practice guideline for hip osteoarthritis, recommend non-surgical care first: exercise, education, weight management, physical therapy, and appropriate pain relief. Hip replacement is very effective, but it is generally reserved for advanced arthritis when non-surgical hip osteoarthritis treatment no longer controls symptoms and quality of life is affected.
There is no cure that reverses cartilage loss, so the realistic goal of hip osteoarthritis treatment is to reduce pain, improve movement, and slow the impact of the disease on your daily life. Regenerative Joint Clinics is a non-surgical practice, and when a patient does need surgery, we help coordinate the right referral.
8 Non-Surgical Hip Osteoarthritis Treatment Options
Here are eight evidence-informed, non-surgical hip osteoarthritis treatment options, from foundational lifestyle care to advanced in-office procedures. Most plans combine several of these rather than relying on any single one.
1. Targeted Exercise and Movement
Staying active is one of the most consistently recommended parts of hip osteoarthritis treatment. Low-impact movement such as walking, swimming, and stationary cycling helps maintain strength and joint mobility without heavy loading. Strengthening the muscles around the hip and core can improve stability and take pressure off the joint. If you are not sure where to start, our team can guide you toward safe options, and many of the same principles in our exercises for knee osteoarthritis guide apply to the hip. Best for: nearly every stage of hip OA.
2. Weight Management
Extra body weight increases the load on weight-bearing joints, so reaching or maintaining a healthy weight can ease hip pain and support function. Even modest weight loss may reduce day-to-day symptoms. Pairing gentle activity with an anti-inflammatory eating pattern gives this piece of hip osteoarthritis treatment the best chance to help. Best for: patients carrying extra weight who want a low-risk first step.
3. Physical Therapy (By Referral)
Physical therapy focuses on range of motion, strengthening, and gait, and the benefits can last for months after a program ends. Regenerative Joint Clinics coordinates physical therapy through referral and can provide home-exercise guidance so your progress continues between visits. A structured therapy program is a core part of most non-surgical hip osteoarthritis treatment plans. Best for: stiffness, weakness, and difficulty walking.
4. Activity Modification and Assistive Devices
Small changes to how you move can protect a painful hip. Using a cane in the hand opposite the sore hip, spacing out demanding tasks, and swapping high-impact activities for low-impact ones all reduce joint stress. Assistive devices are a simple, well-supported tool within hip osteoarthritis treatment. Best for: pain that spikes with walking or standing.
5. Oral Pain Relievers
Over-the-counter options such as acetaminophen and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are commonly used to manage arthritis pain and are supported by treatment guidelines. These medications can make movement and therapy more comfortable. Because NSAIDs carry risks for some people, talk with your provider about what is safe for you before making them a regular part of your hip osteoarthritis treatment. Best for: flare-ups and short-term symptom control.
6. Image-Guided Injections
When pain limits daily life, precise injections can calm inflammation and provide relief. At Regenerative Joint Clinics we use image and fluoroscopic guidance so the medication reaches the joint accurately. Corticosteroid (cortisone) injections have the strongest short-term evidence for hip OA and can quickly reduce inflammation, though they are used on a limited schedule.
For patients interested in regenerative options, platelet-rich plasma (PRP) uses components from your own blood and is an emerging approach that may help some people, with research still developing. Hyaluronic acid (“gel”) injections are a mainstay for the knee and are used selectively in the hip based on your clinical picture. Our guide comparing cortisone versus PRP injections explains how we choose. Injections are one of the more advanced tools in non-surgical hip osteoarthritis treatment. Best for: moderate to severe pain that has not responded to lifestyle care.
7. Bracing and Offloading Support
Supportive bracing and offloading strategies can reduce pressure across an arthritic joint and improve comfort during activity. We fit patients with appropriate bracing when it fits the plan, the same offloading principle we use with an unloader-style approach for other joints. Combined with activity changes, bracing rounds out a conservative hip osteoarthritis treatment plan. Best for: patients who want extra joint support during daily tasks.
8. Hako-Med Horizontal Therapy
Hako-Med horizontal therapy is an electrotherapy modality we offer to help manage joint pain and support the body’s response to treatment. It is non-invasive and can be paired with other parts of your hip osteoarthritis treatment. This kind of in-office therapy gives patients another drug-free option alongside exercise and injections. Best for: patients looking to complement other conservative care.
How Regenerative Joint Clinics Approaches Hip Osteoarthritis Treatment in Riverdale, GA
Our approach begins with an accurate diagnosis. We use physical exams, digital X-ray and fluoroscopy, and diagnostic musculoskeletal ultrasound to understand exactly what is driving your hip pain. From there we build a personalized, non-surgical hip osteoarthritis treatment plan through our Targeted Restoration Protocol, which may combine movement, image-guided injections, bracing, and physical therapy referral.
Because we focus only on non-surgical care, our goal is to help you avoid or delay surgery whenever possible. If you are weighing your options, our overview of how to avoid surgery for chronic joint pain is a helpful companion to this guide. Many of the same tools apply to related conditions such as hip bursitis and a hip labral tear. Most major medical insurance and Medicare cover the core components of our program, and flexible payment plans are available; note that PRP is typically elective and not covered by most plans.
You can reach our Riverdale clinic at 483 Upper Riverdale Road SW, Suite F, Riverdale, GA 30274 or call (470) 895-0610 to ask about a hip osteoarthritis treatment consultation.
When Should You See a Doctor for Hip Pain?
See a provider if hip pain lasts more than a few weeks, wakes you at night, or limits walking, stairs, or everyday tasks. Getting evaluated early gives conservative hip osteoarthritis treatment the best chance to work and helps rule out other causes of hip and groin pain. You do not need to wait until the pain is severe to start a plan. If you are also managing broader joint discomfort, our non-surgical knee osteoarthritis care and joint health supplement guide offer additional support.
Frequently Asked Questions About Hip Osteoarthritis Treatment
Can hip osteoarthritis be reversed?
No treatment currently reverses the cartilage loss of hip OA. However, a consistent hip osteoarthritis treatment plan can reduce pain, improve mobility, and help many people stay active and delay surgery. The aim is to manage the condition and protect function, not to cure it.
What is the best non-surgical treatment for hip arthritis?
Guidelines point to exercise, weight management, and physical therapy as the foundation of non-surgical hip osteoarthritis treatment, with oral pain relievers and image-guided injections added as needed. The best plan is individualized, which is why an in-office evaluation matters.
Do cortisone injections work for hip osteoarthritis?
Corticosteroid (cortisone) injections have the strongest short-term evidence among injections for hip OA and can quickly reduce inflammation and pain. They are used on a limited schedule because relief is temporary, and they are often combined with other parts of a hip osteoarthritis treatment plan for longer-lasting results.
Does PRP help hip osteoarthritis?
Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) is an emerging option that uses components from your own blood. Some patients report improved pain and function, though the research is still developing and results vary. We discuss whether PRP fits your goals as part of a personalized hip osteoarthritis treatment plan.
How do I know if I need a hip replacement?
Hip replacement is usually considered when advanced arthritis no longer responds to non-surgical hip osteoarthritis treatment and pain significantly affects your quality of life. Because Regenerative Joint Clinics is non-surgical, we focus on conservative care first and coordinate a surgical referral if it becomes necessary.
Start Your Non-Surgical Hip Osteoarthritis Treatment Plan
You do not have to live with hip pain or rush toward surgery. A personalized, non-surgical hip osteoarthritis treatment plan may help you move more comfortably and get back to the activities you enjoy. To learn more or schedule an evaluation, book a consultation or contact our Riverdale team at contact@regenerativejointclinics.com or (470) 895-0610.
Medical disclaimer: This article is for general educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Individual results vary. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider about your specific condition before starting any new treatment. Sources include the AAOS clinical practice guideline for hip osteoarthritis and peer-reviewed research on the lifetime risk of symptomatic hip osteoarthritis.
