Although it may be hard to appreciate in the moment, your body has a sophisticated way of communicating with you through pain. Each ache, throb, or sharp sensation serves as a unique signal, helping you understand what might be happening beneath the surface.
Hip pain is no exception—the specific sensations you experience can reveal important clues about the underlying condition affecting your joint. The way your hip hurts can indicate not only that arthritis is present, but also which type you’re dealing with and how severe it has become.
And if you’re afraid the pain in your hip is something you’ll have to live with from now on, we’re here to help you with knowledge and treatment options that allow you to keep living as normally as possible.
Symptoms of arthritis hip pain
A lot of things can cause your hip to hurt, but arthritis has a few distinct pain signals that set it apart from injuries or bone fractures.
First of all, arthritis pain typically develops gradually rather than appearing suddenly after an incident. Additional characteristics of hip arthritis can vary from person to person, but often include:
- Deep aching sensation
- Persistent hip pain
- Pain that worsens with movement
- Stiffness
- Burning sensations
- Pain that worsens with weight-bearing activities
- Pain that seems to be sensitive to weather changes
- Clicking or grinding noises from the joint
Differences between osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis
There is more than one type of arthritis that can cause hip pain. Knowing the difference between them can help you self-diagnose some of the commonly avoidable issues with one or the other.
Osteoarthritis, the more common form of arthritis, results from wear and tear on the hip joint over time. This creates pain that typically follows a predictable pattern: worse with activity and better with rest. The discomfort usually develops slowly over months or years, often affecting one hip more than the other.
Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune condition that causes inflammation in affected joints. This creates pain that often feels more intense and burning compared to osteoarthritis. The inflammation typically affects both hips simultaneously and may fluctuate unpredictably—sometimes better, sometimes worse, regardless of activity level.
What to do about hip pain from arthritis
Unfortunately, arthritis cannot be cured. The good news is that you have numerous options available to you to help you live with less pain, ranging from simple at-home tips to professional physical therapy plans of care.
At-home steps for treatment
Several straightforward strategies can help manage your arthritis hip pain from the comfort of your home. These approaches focus on reducing inflammation, maintaining joint mobility, and protecting your hip from further damage.
- Heat and cold therapy are staple pain relief options for people with arthritis. You can treat your hips with heat through warm baths, heating pads, or warm compresses to help relax muscles and reduce stiffness, particularly in the morning. On the other hand, ice packs may help reduce inflammation from rheumatoid arthritis and numb sharp pain, especially after activity.
- Gentle, low-impact exercise plays a crucial role in managing symptoms. Swimming, water aerobics, and stationary cycling can help maintain joint mobility without placing excessive stress on your hip. Even simple stretching routines performed daily can help preserve flexibility and reduce stiffness.
- Weight management significantly impacts hip arthritis symptoms since excess weight increases pressure on the joint. Even modest weight loss can provide noticeable pain relief and slow the progression of arthritis.
- Modifying your daily activities can also make a substantial difference. Using assistive devices like grab bars in the bathroom, raised toilet seats, and chair lifts can reduce hip stress during routine tasks. Choosing supportive footwear and avoiding prolonged sitting or standing helps minimize discomfort.
- Over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medications may provide temporary relief for the worst bouts of pain. Talk to your doctor before using medications for extended periods of time.
What to expect from physical therapy
Physical therapy offers a more targeted approach to managing arthritis hip pain, especially at the beginning of your experience of arthritis pain. Having a skilled physical therapist to assess your movement patterns, identify triggers, and teach you how to live and manage arthritis pain on your own is a great foundation to start with.
Even though everyone’s treatment protocol will be different, your physical therapy program will likely include exercises designed to strengthen the muscles supporting your hip joint. Stronger muscles help stabilize the joint and reduce stress on damaged cartilage. Your therapist will teach you specific exercises targeting areas like the glutes, hip flexors, and core muscles that support proper hip function.
Manual therapy techniques may help improve joint mobility and reduce pain. Your therapist might use gentle joint mobilization, soft tissue massage, or other hands-on approaches to address stiffness and muscle tension around your hip.
Finally, education forms a crucial component of physical therapy. You’ll learn proper body mechanics for daily activities, helping you move in ways that protect your hip while maintaining function. This might include techniques for getting in and out of cars, climbing stairs, or performing work-related tasks.
Step into treatment for less pain at Whatcom PT
Living with arthritis hip pain doesn’t mean accepting permanent limitations on the activities you love. With a positive understanding of your symptoms and appropriate treatment strategies, you can maintain an active, fulfilling lifestyle while managing your condition effectively.
Learn more about how our physical therapists can help you live handle hip pain by calling one of our NW Washington clinics or by requesting an appointment online today.