Osteoarthritis of the hip results in pain, stiffness, and joint deformity. If those interventions don’t work, hip replacement surgery often will relieve the pain associated with hip arthritis. While it is not “curable,” it most certainly is treatable using activity modifications, medications, and/or injections. Osteoarthritis is a chronic disease that can takes months to years to appear. Osteoarthritis is the most common of the more than 100 kinds of arthritis and the hip joint is the second most commonly affected large joint in the body. Osteoarthritis of the hip is a serious condition. When the bearing wears away, the result is a roughed joint surface that causes the pain and stiffness that people associate with osteoarthritis ( See Figures 1-4). Under normal conditions, the cartilage bearing is slicker than a hockey puck on ice. The cartilage normally serves as a “pad” or a bearing in the joint. Osteoarthritis occurs when the joint surface cartilage (also called hyaline cartilage or articular cartilage) becomes worn away leaving the raw bone beneath exposed. The most common type of hip arthritis is osteoarthritis, which some people call "degenerative joint disease." Quantitative analysis of subchondral sclerosis of the tibia by bone texture parameters in knee radiographs: Site-specific relationships with joint space width.Many kinds of arthritis can affect the hip joint. Radiographic assessment of osteoarthritis. An in vivo investigation of the initiation and progression of subchondral cysts in a rodent model of secondary osteoarthritis. Subchondral bone in osteoarthritis: Insight into risk factors and microstructural changes. The relationship between subchondral sclerosis detected with MRI and cartilage loss in a cohort of subjects with knee pain: The knee osteoarthritis progression (KOAP) study. The truth behind subchondral cysts in osteoarthritis of the knee. Does subchondral sclerosis protect progression of joint space narrowing in patients with varus knee osteoarthritis? DOI: You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy. Healthline has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical associations. But surgery comes with the risks of side effects and failure to relieve the pain. Hip and knee replacement surgery are now common. Surgery is a last resort when all other treatments fail. Hyaluronic acid is a part of the natural lubricant, called synovial fluid, that surrounds your joints. These are injections of hyaluronic acid into your joint. Corticosteroids aren’t recommended for continuous treatment because of their side effects. These injections into the affected joint can sometimes provide relief. Two types of injections can be used for people with painful arthritis that doesn’t respond to conservative treatment: If you’re overweight, taking off extra weight can help relieve pain. Weight loss can significantly reduce the impact on weight-bearing joints in the knee, hip, and spine. Low-impact exercises such as swimming and biking can also help.Ī physical therapist can work out an exercise program for you that matches your level of strength and endurance. For the knee, this involves the thigh and calf muscles. Physical therapy focuses on strengthening the muscles around a joint to relieve the strain. These over-the-counter medications help to reduce inflammation in the joints and include: The first-line treatment is usually nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). Subchondral sclerosis isn’t treated separately, but as part of your treatment for osteoarthritis.