Hip arthritis is one of the most common causes of persistent hip pain, particularly in adults over the age of 50.

It occurs when the smooth cartilage that cushions the hip joint gradually wears away, leading to pain, stiffness and reduced mobility. Everyday activities such as walking, climbing stairs or putting on shoes can become increasingly difficult.

While hip replacement surgery can be an excellent treatment for advanced arthritis, many patients benefit from non-surgical options such as physiotherapy, lifestyle modifications, pain management and joint injections before surgery becomes necessary.

Hip and groin pain can arise from a wide range of conditions affecting the hip joint, muscles, tendons, ligaments or surrounding structures.

Symptoms may develop gradually through overuse or appear suddenly following an injury, and can affect people of all ages. Because pain in this region can have many different causes, it’s really important to seek a specialist review, to get a clear and accurate diagnosis.

Following a thorough assessment and, where appropriate, imaging investigations, I will work with you to identify the underlying cause of your symptoms and recommend the most effective treatment plan.

Pain on the outside of the hip is often caused by inflammation of the bursae (small fluid-filled sacs that reduce friction) or irritation of the gluteal tendons.

Collectively known as Greater Trochanteric Pain Syndrome (GTPS), these conditions can make walking, climbing stairs, exercising or lying on the affected side uncomfortable.

Most patients respond well to non-surgical treatments such as physiotherapy, activity modification and targeted image-guided injections, with surgery only required in a very small number of cases.

Hip dysplasia occurs when the hip socket is shallower than normal, meaning it does not fully support the ball of the hip joint. This can lead to instability, increased stress on the joint and premature wear of the cartilage.

Although some people are diagnosed during childhood, many do not develop symptoms until adulthood, when they experience groin pain, reduced mobility or early arthritis.

Treatment depends on the severity of the condition and may range from physiotherapy and activity modification to hip preservation surgery or joint replacement in more advanced cases.

Hip impingement, also known as femoroacetabular impingement (FAI), occurs when the shape of the hip causes the bones to come into contact during certain movements. This can irritate or damage the labrum – the ring of cartilage around the hip socket – leading to groin pain, stiffness, clicking or discomfort with activities such as running, squatting and prolonged sitting.

Labral tears can also occur without impingement and do not always require treatment, even when they are seen on an MRI scan. Many patients can manage their symptoms successfully with physiotherapy, activity modification and, where appropriate, joint injections.

Surgery is usually only considered when symptoms persist despite appropriate rehabilitation, particularly when a labral tear is associated with significant hip impingement. In these cases, hip arthroscopy can address both the damaged labrum and the underlying cause of the impingement.

Femoral stress fractures are small cracks in the thigh bone (femur) that develop gradually due to repetitive loading and insufficient recovery time, rather than a single traumatic injury.

They are most commonly seen in runners, endurance athletes and military personnel, particularly when training loads increase rapidly or recovery is inadequate.

Symptoms often include deep, persistent pain in the groin or thigh that worsens with weight-bearing activity and improves with rest.

Early diagnosis can make a huge difference to management and recovery, as continuing to train on a femoral stress fracture can lead to progression of the injury - sometimes then requiring surgical intervention.

In most cases, treatment typically involves a period of relative rest or non-weight bearing, followed by a carefully structured rehabilitation programme to safely return to activity.

Avascular necrosis (AVN), sometimes referred to as osteonecrosis of the hip, occurs when the blood supply to part of the femoral head is reduced or interrupted, causing the bone to weaken and, in some cases, collapse.

The condition can develop for a variety of reasons, including previous injury (untreated stress fractures), long-term steroid use, excessive alcohol consumption or certain underlying medical conditions, although in some patients no obvious cause is identified.

Symptoms usually begin with gradually increasing groin or hip pain and stiffness, which may progress over time.

Early diagnosis is important, as treatment in the initial stages may help preserve the natural hip joint.

Depending on the severity of the condition, management may include activity modification, medication, joint-preserving procedures or, where significant joint damage has occurred, total hip replacement surgery may be the best way forwards.

Although modern hip replacement surgery is highly successful, some patients may experience ongoing pain, instability, infection, implant loosening or wear over time.

Revision hip surgery involves assessing and, where necessary, replacing part or all of an existing hip replacement to restore function and relieve pain. Revision procedures are often more complex than primary hip replacement surgery, requiring careful planning and specialist expertise.

I provide a full, comprehensive assessment of painful or failed hip replacements and will guide you through the most appropriate treatment options to help you achieve the best possible outcome.