Hip Arthritis

 

Hip Arthritis Treatment in Princeton and Lawrenceville, NJ

Hip arthritis—most commonly hip osteoarthritis—is a degenerative condition in which the cartilage of the hip joint gradually wears down. This can lead to pain, stiffness, reduced mobility, and difficulty with walking, stairs, or prolonged standing.

While hip arthritis becomes more common with age, it is not “just something you have to live with.” Many patients can reduce pain, improve function, and delay progression with the right combination of movement, strength training, weight management, and targeted medical care.

At Princeton Sports and Family Medicine, P.C., we help patients across Princeton, Lawrenceville, West Windsor, Plainsboro, Hopewell, Pennington, and Robbinsville manage hip arthritis with a practical, stepwise approach focused on preserving mobility and quality of life.

Quick Takeaways

• Hip arthritis causes groin pain, stiffness, and reduced mobility.
• Symptoms often worsen gradually over time.
• Most patients improve with structured non-surgical treatment.
• Strength training and load management are central to care.
• Sudden inability to bear weight or severe worsening pain requires evaluation.

At Princeton Sports and Family Medicine, P.C., PSFM Wellness, and Fuse Sports Performance, we don’t believe in guessing your way through training. We believe in building resilient, durable athletes who arrive at race season strong, confident, and healthy. In addition to problem-focused visits, we offer sports performance evaluations to stop problems before they start. Plan your visit today.

WHO THIS AFFECTS + WHY IT HAPPENS

Hip arthritis most often affects:

• Adults over 50
• Individuals with prior hip injury
• Patients with structural hip differences
• Individuals with obesity
• Those with family history of osteoarthritis

Why It Happens

The hip is a ball-and-socket joint. Over time, the protective cartilage that cushions the joint can thin and wear down. This leads to:

• Joint inflammation
• Bone-on-bone contact
• Reduced shock absorption
• Progressive stiffness

Contributing factors include:

• Age-related cartilage changes
• Prior trauma
• Hip impingement (FAI)
• Repetitive high-load activity
• Muscle weakness and imbalance

Active adults in Princeton and West Windsor often notice symptoms when stiffness begins limiting walking speed or exercise tolerance.

Risk Factors

• Aging
• Previous hip fracture or labral injury
• Obesity
• Sedentary lifestyle
• High-impact occupational or athletic history
• Genetic predisposition

SYMPTOMS + WHAT’S NORMAL VS NOT

Common Hip Arthritis Symptoms

• Deep groin pain
• Stiffness, especially in the morning
• Pain with prolonged standing or walking
• Reduced range of motion
• Difficulty putting on shoes or socks
• Clicking or grinding sensation

Symptoms typically worsen gradually over months or years.

Seek Urgent Care Now If:

• Sudden inability to bear weight
• Severe pain after a fall
• Fever with joint pain
• Rapid swelling or deformity

These may indicate fracture, infection, or another acute issue.

DIAGNOSIS

At Princeton Sports and Family Medicine, P.C., hip arthritis evaluation includes clinical exam and imaging when appropriate.

What We Assess

• Pain location and pattern
• Range of motion limitations
• Gait mechanics
• Muscle strength
• Functional limitations
• Impact on daily activities

Imaging

X-rays are commonly used to assess:

• Joint space narrowing
• Bone spurs
• Structural changes

Advanced imaging is not always necessary unless other conditions are suspected.

What to Expect at Your Visit

• Confirmation of diagnosis
• Discussion of arthritis severity
• Personalized treatment plan
• Activity modification guidance
• Clear next steps

TREATMENT OPTIONS

Most patients begin with conservative treatment.

Lifestyle & Activity Modification

• Avoid prolonged high-impact activity
• Use low-impact alternatives (cycling, swimming)
• Maintain regular movement

Rehabilitation Focus

• Glute strengthening
• Core stabilization
• Hip mobility work
• Gait retraining
• Progressive resistance training

Strong surrounding muscles reduce joint stress.

Weight Management

Even modest weight reduction can reduce hip joint load significantly.

Medications

• Short-term anti-inflammatory medications
• Topical treatments
• Pain management tailored to medical history

Medication decisions should consider cardiovascular, kidney, and GI health.

Injections / Procedures

For some patients:

• Corticosteroid injections
• Other injection therapies (when appropriate)

These are considered on an individualized basis.

Surgery

When conservative treatment no longer provides adequate relief and function is severely limited, referral for hip replacement evaluation may be appropriate.

RETURN TO ACTIVITY GUIDANCE

Early Phase

• Maintain gentle daily movement
• Avoid prolonged sitting

Strength Phase

• Begin progressive strengthening
• Add low-impact cardiovascular work

Functional Phase

• Gradually increase walking distance
• Return to recreational activity as tolerated

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Complete inactivity
• Over-reliance on passive treatments
• Ignoring progressive stiffness
• Delaying strengthening
• Resuming high-impact sports abruptly

Adults in Plainsboro and Hopewell often benefit from structured strength progression to maintain independence.

PREVENTION

While arthritis cannot always be prevented, progression may be slowed by:

• Maintaining healthy body weight
• Staying physically active
• Building glute and core strength
• Avoiding repetitive high-impact overload
• Addressing hip mechanics early
• Managing metabolic conditions

HOW WE HELP

At Princeton Sports and Family Medicine, P.C., we provide structured evaluation and non-surgical management of hip arthritis focused on improving function, reducing pain, and preserving long-term mobility.

FAQs

What does hip arthritis pain feel like?

It is often felt as deep groin pain with stiffness, especially in the morning or after prolonged sitting.

Is hip arthritis the same as hip bursitis?

No. Arthritis involves joint cartilage degeneration, while bursitis involves inflammation of fluid-filled sacs around the joint.

Do I need surgery for hip arthritis?

Not necessarily. Many patients manage symptoms successfully for years with non-surgical treatment.

Can exercise make hip arthritis worse?

Appropriate exercise usually improves symptoms. High-impact activity may worsen pain if not modified.

Is hip arthritis common in active adults in Princeton?

Yes. Active adults may notice symptoms when joint cartilage changes combine with high activity levels.

Will weight loss help?

Yes. Reducing body weight decreases stress on the hip joint.

How do I know if I need imaging?

Imaging is often used to confirm diagnosis and assess severity, but treatment decisions are guided by symptoms and function.

Can younger adults develop hip arthritis?

Yes, especially with prior hip injury or structural impingement.

RELATED PAGES

• Hip Pain — https://www.princetonmedicine.com/contents/hip-pain
• Hip Bursitis — https://www.princetonmedicine.com/contents/hip-bursitis
• Hip Labrum Tear — https://www.princetonmedicine.com/contents/hip-labrum-tear
• Tight Hip Flexors — https://www.princetonmedicine.com/contents/tight-hip-flexors
• Arthritis — https://www.princetonmedicine.com/contents/arthritis
• Joint Pain — https://www.princetonmedicine.com/contents/joint-pain
• SI Joint Pain — https://www.princetonmedicine.com/contents/si-joint-pain
• When to Be Seen — https://www.princetonmedicine.com/contents/when-to-see-a-clinician

Contact Princeton Sports and Family Medicine, P.C., at our Lawrenceville office. Book an appointment online or call us directly to schedule your visit today.

Schedule online: https://www.princetonmedicine.com/schedule

Disclaimer

This content is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. If you experience sudden inability to bear weight, severe worsening pain, or concerning red flag symptoms, seek prompt medical evaluation.