"Once the arthritis is established within the joint there's not a lot you can do short of replacing it." Doctor Thomas P. Sculco, Surgeon-in-Chief at the Hospital for Special Surgery in New York, reviews some common non-surgical treatment options for hip arthritis but notes that surgery is usually required for established arthritis.

Dr. Sculco



Once the arthritis is established within the joint there's not a lot you can do short of replacing it.



Alternative methods of treatment break down into a number of different areas. Weight reduction to reduce the load on the joint thats failing, muscle exercise programs to maintain power about the joint, and motion. So for a hip for example I like the use of a bicycle, stationary bicycle. Allows mobility and allows strength. Anti-Infammitory medications to reduce the inflammation from the arthritis. And then injections. Hyaluronic acid injections can help. Cortisone injects may help short term. But again once the arthritis is established within the joint there's not a lot you can do short of replacing it.