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Hip Osteoarthritis
Hip osteoarthritis is one of the most common causes of hip pain in adults, caused by gradual wear of the cartilage that cushions the joint. It develops at different rates in different people — some live with mild symptoms for years, while others notice their mobility affected more quickly.
Mr George offers a thorough, individual assessment to understand exactly where you are, and what's genuinely the right next step for you.
Stages of Hip Osteoarthritis
Normal hip joint
Healthy cartilage to the ball (femoral head) and socket (acetabulum)
Mild osteoarthritis
Early cartilage thinning
Moderate osteoarthritis
Progressive cartilage loss
Severe osteoarthritis
Near-complete cartilage loss
Groin or thigh pain, often worse with activity or at the end of the day
Stiffness, particularly first thing in the morning or after sitting
A grinding or catching sensation in the joint
Reduced range of movement
A limp that has developed gradually over time
Symptoms
For many patients, especially in earlier stages, non-surgical management can meaningfully reduce symptoms:
Physiotherapy - strengthening the muscles around the hip to improve stability and reduce joint load
Activity modification - adjusting how and when you do higher-impact activity
Medication - appropriate use of anti-inflammatory or pain relief medication to manage flare-ups
Non-Surgical Treatment
If the joint has significantly worn down and non-surgical options no longer provide meaningful relief, a total hip replacement is one of the most effective and well-established procedures in orthopaedic surgery — replacing the damaged joint with an artificial implant designed to restore smooth, pain-free movement.
This isn't a decision to rush into. Mr George will talk through whether you're at that stage, and what a realistic outcome would look like for your specific situation.