The joints in the hip are prone to wear and tear. The articular cartilage is a smooth cartilaginous covering present between the femoral head and the socket of the joint. This permits the bones to glide together smoothly when you move.

Hip osteoarthritis occurs when the articular cartilage in the hip joint wears out. This cause extreme pain, stiffness and discomfort. People with osteoarthritis experience pain or discomfort in the hip region, groin, buttocks and thigh when they wake up in the morning. The pain flares up when they are active but eases when they rest. As the condition progresses, inflammation in the hip joint worsens and bone structure may begin to change as the bones rub against each other.

This can cause spurs to form at the edges of the bone. These are clearly visible on X-rays. Doctors usually prescribe painkillers and drugs to ease inflammation. This will help reduce pain, swelling and discomfort. People with osteoarthritis of the hip are advised to get plenty of rest and engage in exercises like cycling, swimming, aerobics etc. If the condition is very severe and impairs mobility, doctors may recommend a hip joint replacement surgery. This will reduce pain to a great extent and improve mobility.