The most common hip condition seen at The Joint Injection Clinic is osteoarthritis of the hip joint.
This is more frequently seen in women, particularly over the age of 60 and is also seen following hip injuries in younger age. This classically causes pain in the groin, although sometimes pain can be seen in the outer hip and into the deep buttock region.
Pain is worse with rotation and classically noted when putting on socks and shoes or getting into or out of a car. Hip osteoarthritis is initially managed with avoidance of aggravating activity and optimisation via rehabilitation. An injection can be an effective way of reducing pain and inflammation and is frequently performed in the clinic. Other hip conditions include femoral-acetabular impingement, where a younger individual suffers with pinching discomfort in the front of the hip in certain positions, particularly when the knee is pulled up towards the chest. Greater trochanteric pain syndrome describes discomfort in the outer hip over the bony prominence which can be seen in both younger and older populations and can result in pain when walking uphill and when lying on the side at night.
