Hip osteoarthritis - update on etiopathogenesis, clinical presentation and management

Osteoarthritis is the most frequent form of arthritis, and the hip is the second most frequently affected joint. The effects of osteoarthritis on the hip joint often lead to marked physical impairment that can contribute to increased disability and dependency in everyday activities. Hip osteoarthritis is a degenerative process with progressive loss of articular cartilage, followed by a reparative process such as reactive bone hypertrophy, which causes osteophyte formation and remodelling. The joint responds with subchondral and synovial inflammation. Patients with hip osteoarthritis report pain in the groin area which can develop slowly and worsen over time. With the progression of the disease, the range of motion of the affected hip is reduced, which affects the walking pattern and may cause a limp. Therapeutic options for hip osteoarthritis should be based on the etiopathogenesis of the disease. The approach to treatment for every patient should be multidisciplinary, multimodal and individualised taking into account personal beliefs and preferences, social and psychological factors and prior medical history. It is important to avoid unnecessary delays in referring patients with advanced hip osteoarthritis for surgical treatment, in order to prevent worse outcomes after total hip arthroplasty. The aim of this article is to offer a concise update on etiopathogenesis, clinical presentation, and management options for hip osteoarthritis.