Hip Osteoarthritis Physiotherapy in Amman

What is hip osteoarthritis?

The hip is a ball-and-socket joint where the top of the thigh bone meets a socket in the pelvis. In osteoarthritis the whole joint changes slowly: the cartilage, the bone beneath it and the tissues around it. It becomes more common with age, and it may appear earlier after previous hip problems or injuries. It is not simply irreversible wear and tear: the joint keeps adapting, and an X-ray does not always match how bad the pain is.

Common signs

Pain mainly in the groin or at the front of the hip, sometimes at the side, which may spread down the front of the thigh towards the knee
Pain that increases with walking, standing for long or climbing stairs, and usually eases with rest
Stiffness in the morning or after sitting, which usually eases soon after you start moving
Difficulty bending the hip, for example when putting on shoes and socks

Common misunderstandings

"Moving and exercising wear the hip out faster, so rest is better": the right, gradual exercise is the core treatment recommended in the guidelines, and long rest weakens the muscles and adds to stiffness
"More pain when I start exercising means I am damaging the joint": joint pain may increase a little when you start, but regular, consistent exercise benefits the joint, and the benefit grows as you keep it up
"A hip replacement is the only real solution": many people improve with exercise and weight management; an operation is considered when symptoms greatly affect your life despite non-surgical care, the decision is the orthopaedic surgeon’s, and rehabilitation is part of recovery afterwards

What usually helps?

NICE guidance puts exercise, and weight management where relevant, at the core of treatment, together with clear information about the condition. Types of exercise that usually help include strengthening the hip, thigh and buttock muscles; exercises that keep the hip moving and flexible; and aerobic activity such as walking, a stationary bike or exercise in water, all built up gradually to suit you. A walking stick may help when walking is painful, and it helps to adjust the activities that flare the pain for a while and then build them back gradually, rather than sudden heavy load or stopping completely. Manual therapy and joint mobilisation are used to ease pain and stiffness alongside exercise, not instead of it. NICE advises against acupuncture and dry needling for osteoarthritis, so we do not use them for it. Medicines, injections and joint replacement are decisions for your doctor and the orthopaedic surgeon.

How we treat it at Revibe

We listen: where you feel the pain, what has become hard for you, such as walking, stairs, prayer, putting on shoes or sleep, and what your goals are
We examine hip and lower-back movement, muscle strength, walking and balance, and recognise what needs a doctor’s review
We identify what keeps the pain going, such as joint stiffness, weak hip muscles or sudden changes in load
We treat: an exercise programme tailored to you for strength and movement as the core of the plan, with manual therapy, joint mobilisation (including the Mulligan Concept) and soft-tissue techniques alongside exercise
We progress with a graded home programme, help you pace your daily activities, and advise on a walking stick when it would help

When do you need urgent medical care?

Sudden severe hip pain after a fall, being unable to stand or put weight on the leg, or a leg that looks shorter or turned outwards — go to the emergency department or call an ambulance: 911 in Jordan or 122 in Iraq and Kurdistan
A hot, swollen hip with fever or feeling unwell, or sudden severe hip pain without a fall — see a doctor the same day
Severe constant night pain that does not change with position, with unexplained weight loss or a history of cancer
Pain and stiffness that get worse quickly over weeks, or long morning stiffness with pain or swelling in other joints — this may be another condition that needs a doctor’s examination
A child or teenager who limps or has hip, groin, thigh or knee pain — see a doctor, as the causes in children are different; go to the emergency department straight away if the pain came on suddenly, they cannot put weight on the leg, or they have a fever and seem unwell

In these cases go to the nearest emergency department or a doctor straight away — instead of booking physiotherapy.

FAQ

Do I need an X-ray before treatment?

In most cases no. Hip osteoarthritis is usually diagnosed from the symptoms and an examination, without imaging. A doctor may request an X-ray if there are unusual signs or when surgery is being considered, and we refer you when needed.

Will a walking stick help?

A stick may take some load off a painful hip and help you walk more comfortably. It is usually held in the hand opposite the painful hip, and we check its height and how you use it.

Does losing weight help?

If your weight is above the healthy range, losing some of it usually reduces the load on the hip and can help movement and quality of life, and any amount may help. We help you combine it with a suitable exercise plan, and your doctor or a dietitian can support you with it.

How many sessions will I need?

It depends on your condition and its stage; after the first assessment we explain the plan and the expected number of sessions.

More common questions: Hip, pelvis and thigh questions — 12 questions