Conditions
Hip osteoarthritis: treatment without surgery
Hip osteoarthritis is wear of the cartilage in the joint between the thighbone and the pelvis. It causes pain in the groin, sometimes in the buttock or the front of the thigh down to the knee, and stiffness: putting on socks, tying shoelaces or getting in and out of the car become difficult. In mild and moderate osteoarthritis, exercise, weight control and, when indicated, ultrasound-guided injections or autologous growth factors make it possible to maintain a good quality of life for years. Dr Julio De la Morena assesses it at Hospital Memorial Publio Cordón (Pozuelo de Alarcón, Madrid).
Common symptoms
- Groin pain when walking or getting up.
- Pain spreading to the front of the thigh or to the knee.
- Stiffness in the morning or after sitting.
- Difficulty putting on socks, cutting toenails or crossing the legs.
- Limping when walking long distances.
Not all hip pain is osteoarthritis
Pain on the outer side of the hip usually comes from the gluteal tendons or the trochanteric bursa, and pain in the buttock may come from the lower back. Identifying the source with examination and ultrasound avoids treatments that will not work.
How it is diagnosed
The examination assesses hip mobility and the movements that reproduce the pain. X-rays show the degree of wear. Ultrasound in the consultation shows whether there is fluid in the joint or problems in the surrounding tendons, and guides the injection precisely. MRI is reserved for specific cases.
Non-surgical treatment
- Therapeutic exercise. Strengthening the glutes and thigh and maintaining mobility reduces pain and improves walking.
- Weight control.
- Ultrasound-guided injections. The hip is a deep joint and ultrasound allows the treatment to be placed precisely.
- Autologous growth factors in selected cases of mild or moderate osteoarthritis.
- Assessment for hip replacement with orthopaedic surgery when pain does not respond and seriously limits daily life.
Frequently asked questions
Can a hip replacement be avoided?
In mild and moderate osteoarthritis, many people maintain a good quality of life for years without surgery. When osteoarthritis is advanced and pain does not respond, a hip replacement gives very good results. The key is to decide at the right time.
Is walking good for hip osteoarthritis?
Yes, within what the pain allows. Cycling and exercise in water are good options because they maintain mobility with less load.
Is a hip injection painful?
It causes brief discomfort. Because it is guided by ultrasound, the needle goes straight into the joint and the procedure is quick and precise.
Which doctor treats hip osteoarthritis without surgery in Madrid?
Dr Julio De la Morena, specialist in Sports and Exercise Medicine, at the Regenerative Therapies and Sports Medicine Unit of Hospital Memorial Publio Cordón (Pozuelo de Alarcón, Madrid). Appointments on +34 913 548 990.
Would you like your case assessed?
Examination and ultrasound in the same appointment: you leave with a diagnosis and a plan. First appointment with no commitment to treatment: if nothing is indicated, we tell you.
Hospital Memorial Publio Cordón · Pozuelo de Alarcón · +34 913 548 990 · Mon–Fri, 3 pm to 9 pm
Written and reviewed by Dr Julio De la Morena Garzón, specialist in Sport and Exercise Medicine (Madrid Medical Council no. 281903698). Last reviewed: October 2026. General information that does not replace a medical consultation.