Hip arthritis can make walking, working and even getting out of a chair uncomfortable, but surgery is not always the first step. Several non-surgical approaches can help manage symptoms, maintain movement and improve function, depending on the cause and severity of your arthritis.

Exercise and Lifestyle Changes

For osteoarthritis, exercise is one of the most important non-surgical treatments. Although moving a painful hip can seem counterintuitive, appropriate activity can strengthen the muscles supporting the joint, maintain mobility and improve symptoms over time.

A physiotherapist can create an exercise programme around your current mobility and symptoms. This may include strengthening exercises alongside lower-impact cardiovascular activities that help you stay active without unnecessarily overloading the hip.

Weight management may also form part of hip arthritis treatment when appropriate. Maintaining a healthy weight can reduce the overall load placed on weight-bearing joints and support general health.

Changes to everyday activities can help as well. Suitable footwear, walking aids and other assistive devices may make movement easier and reduce strain on the affected joint.

Medicines and Pain Management

Pain relief can make it easier to remain active and participate in rehabilitation.

The medication recommended will depend on your symptoms and wider medical history. The NHS notes that non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, or NSAIDs, may be considered for osteoarthritis, although oral NSAIDs are not suitable for everyone and their benefits need to be balanced against potential risks.

Some people may also be offered a corticosteroid injection when other treatments have not provided sufficient relief. These injections can reduce pain for a limited period, but they are generally used for temporary symptom management rather than as a cure for arthritis.

Medication should ideally support a broader management plan rather than replace movement and rehabilitation. Your clinician can help determine which approach is appropriate based on your health, other medicines and the severity of your symptoms.

What About PRP or Stem Cell Therapy?

Regenerative treatments are increasingly discussed as non-surgical options for joint problems, but the evidence needs to be considered carefully.

Platelet-rich plasma, or PRP, uses a preparation derived from the patient's own blood. Research into PRP for osteoarthritis has reported potential short-term symptomatic benefits, but studies use different preparation methods and the evidence for hip osteoarthritis remains less established than for some other joints. NICE's evidence review has highlighted limited and variable research involving hip osteoarthritis.

Stem cell-based treatments are also being investigated as a potential hip arthritis treatment. A 2025 review identified nine clinical studies of intra-articular stem cell-based therapies for hip osteoarthritis. The studies reported improvements in pain and function, but evidence of cartilage repair was limited and inconsistent, and the authors called for stronger randomised trials.

Another systematic review similarly found promising improvements but emphasised the limited number of high-quality studies and the need for further research before definitive treatment guidance can be established.

These treatments should therefore not be described as proven methods for regrowing an arthritic hip or permanently reversing osteoarthritis. A specialist consultation can help determine whether a regenerative approach is worth considering and explain the evidence relevant to your individual condition.

When Might Surgery Become Necessary?

Non-surgical management can help many people control their symptoms, but it cannot always prevent arthritis from becoming more limiting.

If pain remains severe despite appropriate treatment, significantly affects sleep or everyday life, or makes normal movement increasingly difficult, your healthcare team may discuss surgical options. The NHS notes that surgery may be considered when other treatments have not helped or joint damage is particularly severe.

Choosing surgery is not simply about an X-ray result. Your symptoms, function, general health, treatment history and quality of life all matter.

It is also important to confirm what is actually causing your hip pain before deciding on treatment. Osteoarthritis is only one possible cause, and inflammatory arthritis, tendon problems and referred pain may require different approaches.

Explore Your Hip Arthritis Treatment Options

Non-surgical hip arthritis treatment can include appropriate exercise, physiotherapy, weight management where relevant, medication, supportive devices and selected injection treatments. Regenerative approaches such as PRP or stem cell-based therapies may also be discussed in some cases, although their evidence and suitability vary.

If hip pain is limiting your mobility or everyday life, contact Regenesis for a specialist assessment to understand the cause of your symptoms and discuss which non-surgical treatment options may be appropriate for you.