Injections for Hip Arthritis: What Are Your Choices?

Osteoarthritis is the most common form of hip arthritis. Cartilage in the joint progressively wears away, exposing bone and causing inflammation and pain. Most cases occur after 50, but some people develop hip arthritis in their 20s and 30s. Simple treatments come first. When they fail, injections for hip arthritis offer real relief without surgery. Dr Masci performs every hip injection under ultrasound guidance at his London clinics as a one-stop visit — consultation, diagnostic ultrasound, and injection in a single appointment. This guide compares your options for injections for hip arthritis, their costs, and the evidence.

What causes hip arthritis?

Age and weight lead the list. Other causes include previous hip fractures or trauma, abnormally shaped joints such as hip impingement or hip dysplasia, and genetics — osteoarthritis often runs in families.

Symptoms of hip arthritis

women with greater trochanteric pain syndrome and hip arthritis

Hip arthritis causes pain in the hip or groin, typically worse in the morning and after activity. Pain sometimes appears in the knee or upper thigh instead, which frequently confuses doctors. The hip stiffens and loses range of motion, and a limp can develop as the disease progresses.

Progression is not inevitable. Some cases never worsen, and staying fit and active reduces the chance of deterioration.

See a doctor for a full assessment, because other conditions mimic hip arthritis: pain referred from the lumbar spine, sacroiliac joint degeneration, hip tendonitis, hip impingement, and frozen hip. A plain X-ray usually confirms the diagnosis. If the X-ray looks normal, an MRI sometimes helps — but most people do not need one.

What to do for arthritis in the hip

Treatment starts simple and escalates only if needed:

  • Weight loss: the most underrated treatment. Less weight means less load on the joint, and losing fat mass lowers joint inflammation.
  • Activity modification: reducing aggravating activities, such as football or running, can help settle pain.
  • Exercise: strengthening the muscles around the hip and pelvis offloads the joint. Over 12 high-level studies show that a structured programme of aerobic, resistance, and balance training improves hip symptoms. Resistance work, yoga, tai chi, swimming, cycling, and golf all help.
  • Diet: A diet rich in antioxidants supports weight loss and lowers inflammation.

Can I run with hip arthritis?

Often, yes. Treat running like any other exercise: we allow it if pain during or after stays low-level and settles within 24 hours. Flare-ups in the first six weeks of a new programme are common — don’t let short-lived, low-level pain discourage you.

Injections for hip pain: your options compared

When simple measures fail, hip joint injections reduce pain and improve function — far less invasively than surgery. Dr Masci performs each of the options below under ultrasound guidance. Prices apply to his Chelsea clinic; other locations cost more.

Cortisone injection — £400

Cortisone is a potent anti-inflammatory. A UK study found that an ultrasound-guided cortisone shot into the hip improved pain for four months compared with education alone, with a good safety record in skilled hands. Responses vary, though: in another study, half of the patients gained only short-term benefit, 30% medium-term relief, and 20% none.

Use cortisone sparingly. Concerns are growing that it can worsen arthritis, and multiple cortisone injections increase the risk of more severe hip arthritis. Reserve it for severe pain needing immediate relief — and never have one within three months of a hip replacement, because recent research shows an increased risk of infection when surgery follows within three months of an injection.

Hyaluronic acid (Durolane) — £490

Hyaluronic acid occurs naturally in joints. Injected into an arthritic hip, it reduces inflammation and improves function — without harming the joint surface, unlike cortisone.

Product choice decides the result. The debate about hyaluronic acid for the hips largely reflects studies of low-molecular-weight products. High-molecular-weight, highly cross-linked hyaluronic acid is more effective. A Durolane study in hip arthritis reported excellent results after a single ultrasound-guided injection, and a large study found that 75% of patients were satisfied after a Durolane injection for arthritis. Durolane is our preferred first long-term injection for hip arthritis.

One caution: hyaluronic acid injected outside the joint can trigger a severe reaction. The hip joint sits deep, so accuracy matters even more than in the knee. Always insist on ultrasound guidance.

Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) — ACP Max £1,350

PRP comes from your own blood, spun to concentrate the platelets, then injected into the hip joint. The evidence in the hips trails the knee data. Still, it is building: a recent review found that a single PRP injection provides at least two months of pain relief, with better results from leucocyte-poor preparations.

Platelet dose matters. Second-generation systems deliver far higher platelet doses, and knee studies show better outcomes with higher doses. Arthrex ACP Max delivers 5–12 billion platelets in one injection — Dr Masci’s preferred PRP system for hip arthritis.

Stem cells — not recommended.

Stem cells attract hype and high fees. No substantial evidence supports them for hip arthritis. Save your money for options with data behind them.

What about Arthrosamid for the hips?

Arthrosamid is currently licensed only for knee osteoarthritis. For hips, the ladder runs cortisone → Durolane → ACP Max.

What about surgery for hip arthritis?

Surgery suits people whose pain persists despite proper non-invasive treatment. Total hip replacement remains the gold standard, with over 90% success. Hip resurfacing appeals to some younger patients — it carries a lower risk of dislocation and a simpler revision — but women, the over-60s, and people with inflammatory arthritis should choose a standard replacement. Avoid keyhole surgery (arthroscopy) for hip arthritis: patients do worse and reach replacement sooner.

Frequently asked questions about hip injections for arthritis

What is the best injection for hip arthritis?

It depends on your pain. For severe, excruciating pain needing fast relief, cortisone works best in the short term. For long-standing, grumbly pain, we recommend a high-molecular-weight hyaluronic acid such as Durolane — 75% of patients report satisfaction, from a single £490 injection.

How much does a hip injection for arthritis cost?

At Dr Masci’s Chelsea clinic: cortisone £400, Durolane £490, and ACP Max PRP £1,350 — each as a one-stop visit including consultation and diagnostic ultrasound. Other clinic locations cost more. Full fees here.

Can you have a steroid injection before a hip replacement?

Avoid it within three months of surgery. Recent studies show that a cortisone injection close to a hip replacement increases the risk of infection after the operation, and a hip replacement infection is devastating. Tell your surgeon about any recent injections.

Can hip arthritis cause pain outside the hip or groin?

Yes. Hip arthritis can refer pain to the upper thigh, buttock, or knee. See a doctor experienced in musculoskeletal conditions to ensure the hip is not overlooked.

Can you drive after a hip injection?

Not immediately. Avoid driving straight after a hip joint injection; most people can drive the next day if they move without pain.

Are you put to sleep for a hip joint injection?

No. An ultrasound-guided hip injection needs no sedation. X-ray-guided injections, by contrast, usually involve sedation or occasionally general anaesthesia — another advantage of the ultrasound approach.

How soon can I exercise after a hip injection?

Rest the hip for a few days and limit walking for 72 hours. From day seven, resume more intense exercise such as cycling and cross-training. From day ten, most people can return to running.

What should I wear for a hip joint injection?

Loose-fitting trousers and underwear. Sterility is paramount, so clothing must stay clear of the injection site.

Final word from Sport Doctor London about injections for hip arthritis

Hip arthritis can be debilitating, especially for active people. Try simple treatments first — we recommend at least three months of structured rehab before injections. When you need more, the ladder is clear: cortisone for severe, short-term pain; Durolane as the first long-term option; and ACP Max PRP for the next step. Every injection is performed under ultrasound guidance during a single one-stop visit.

To book a one-stop hip injection in London, contact Dr Masci’s team here or call +44 (0) 203 488 0350. The admin team replies within 1–2 working days. 

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