Hip Osteoarthritis Injections
Ultrasound-Guided Hip Joint Injections

Hip osteoarthritis is “wear and tear” arthritis of the hip joint. The smooth cartilage that lines the ball-and-socket joint gradually thins and roughens, so the bones no longer glide easily. This causes pain, stiffness and reduced movement, often felt in the groin, the outer hip or the buttock, and sometimes referred to the thigh or knee.

A hip osteoarthritis injection places medication directly into the joint to calm inflammation and ease pain. It does not reverse the arthritis, but it can give meaningful relief, helping you move, sleep and stay active more comfortably. In some cases it can delay the point at which surgery is considered.

It is most useful when pain is limiting daily life and simpler measures such as painkillers, weight management and physiotherapy are not enough on their own.

Typical symptoms of hip osteoarthritis include:

• Groin or outer-hip pain that worsens with walking, standing or stairs.
• Stiffness, especially first thing in the morning or after sitting.
• Reduced range of movement, difficulty putting on socks or shoes.
• A grinding or catching sensation, and pain that disturbs sleep

This injection is for people with a confirmed diagnosis of hip osteoarthritis, whose pain is affecting daily life. It is often a good option if you want targeted relief, are not yet ready for or suitable for hip replacement, or wish to stay mobile while you consider longer-term options. Your consultant confirms the diagnosis on the day before recommending treatment.

At the Harley Street Ultrasound Group, your appointment begins with a diagnostic ultrasound assessment, performed by your specialist consultant doctor. Ultrasound shows the joint and surrounding soft tissues in real time, confirms the osteoarthritis and helps rule out other causes of hip pain such as trochanteric bursitis or tendon problems, which can feel similar but need different treatment.

The hip is a deep joint, sitting beneath thick layers of muscle, so a “blind” injection guided only by surface approximations is unreliable. Image guidance is essential here: under real-time ultrasound your consultant can see the needle travel into the joint space and confirm the medication is delivered exactly where it is needed, with nearby nerves and blood vessels identified and avoided.

If the assessment shows that a different treatment would serve you better, your consultant will tell you on the day. See “What if I don’t need an injection?” below.

A hip osteoarthritis injection delivers medication directly into the hip joint under ultrasound guidance to reduce inflammation and relieve pain. Two main options are used:

• Steroid (cortisone) injection, a powerful anti-inflammatory, usually combined with local anaesthetic, that calms the inflamed joint and can give relief for weeks to several months.
• Hyaluronic acid (viscosupplementation), a gel-like substance that supplements the joint’s natural lubricating fluid, aiming to ease friction and improve comfort, sometimes with longer-lasting benefit.

Because the procedure is performed under real-time ultrasound, your consultant can ensure the injection reaches the exact location and confirm the medication is going precisely to where it is needed. This precision is what makes the treatment both effective and safe. Your consultant will recommend the option best suited to your hip and your goals.

Most patients find the injection far more comfortable than expected. Local anaesthetic is used, so you typically feel a small sting as it goes in, followed by a sensation of pressure as the medication enters the joint. This is normal and settles quickly.

The appointment usually takes around 20–30 minutes from assessment to completion:

• Your consultant scans the hip to confirm the diagnosis.
• The skin is cleaned and local anaesthetic is applied.
• The injection is delivered into the deep hip joint under live ultrasound guidance.
• You rest briefly and are given aftercare guidance before you leave.

There is no general anaesthetic and no overnight stay. It is sensible to arrange a lift home, as the hip may feel sore for a day or two afterwards.

Your injection is performed by a consultant specialist doctor, not a physiotherapist, nurse or GP. This matters, as the majority of MSK injections in the UK are delivered by non-consultant practitioners, often without ultrasound image guidance.

At the Harley Street Ultrasound Group, you receive both the clinical judgement of a senior specialist and the precision of real-time ultrasound in a single appointment, which is especially important for a deep joint like the hip. Your consultant assesses the hip, confirms the source of pain, performs the procedure and explains your aftercare personally.

We will never give you an injection you do not need. If, after your ultrasound assessment, your consultant decides an injection is not the right treatment for you, the procedure simply won’t go ahead. You will be charged at our standard diagnostic ultrasound rate, not the full treatment price.

This is a deliberate commitment to clinical integrity. Some providers treat every appointment as a guaranteed procedure; we don’t. You can book knowing that you will receive a genuine specialist assessment first, and that treatment only proceeds when a senior clinician believes it is genuinely warranted.

If an injection isn’t appropriate, your consultant will explain why and set out the alternatives. This may include physiotherapy, a different injection, such as PRP, or onward referral, meaning you still leave with a clear plan.

With a steroid injection, many patients notice improved comfort within a few days to two weeks, as the local anaesthetic wears off and the anti-inflammatory takes effect. A hyaluronic acid injection tends to build benefit more gradually over a few weeks.

How long relief lasts varies. A steroid injection often helps for several weeks to a few months; hyaluronic acid can last longer for some patients. Results depend on the severity of your arthritis and individual factors, and a hip injection manages symptoms rather than curing the underlying wear. For many people it provides a valuable window of reduced pain and better movement. Your consultant will give you a realistic picture based on your own assessment.

There is no significant downtime. You can return to everyday activities the same day, though it is sensible to avoid strenuous activity, long walks and heavy lifting for 24–48 hours. Some mild soreness in the hip or groin for a day or two is normal.

To get the most from your injection, your consultant will usually recommend gentle activity and targeted exercises to maintain hip strength and mobility, and many patients benefit from a short course of physiotherapy alongside the treatment. Weight management and staying active also help protect the joint over the longer term.

You will receive clear written aftercare guidance, and our team remains available if you have any questions as you recover.

Both injections aim to reduce hip pain, but they work differently. A steroid (cortisone) injection is a strong anti-inflammatory that often gives faster relief and is well suited to a painful, inflamed flare-up. Hyaluronic acid (viscosupplementation) supplements the joint’s natural lubrication and may suit patients seeking a longer-acting, non-steroid option. Your consultant will recommend the best choice for your hip after assessment.

Injections sit between conservative care and surgery. They can be an excellent option if you are not ready for, or not suitable for, a hip replacement, or if you want to manage pain and stay mobile while you weigh up your options. They do not replace surgery for advanced arthritis, but they can provide meaningful relief and, for some, delay the point at which replacement is considered.

If your hip needs surgical input, your consultant will discuss this honestly and arrange onward referral.

An ultrasound-guided hip osteoarthritis injection at The Harley Street Ultrasound Group is £525, all fees inclusive. There are no extra charges for the consultant assessment, the diagnostic ultrasound, the procedure itself, or your written report.

What’s included in the price:

• Consultant specialist assessment and diagnostic ultrasound
• Ultrasound-guided injection into the hip joint
• Local anaesthetic and all consumables
• Written report and tailored aftercare guidance

There is no referral required and no waiting lists. Importantly, if your consultant assesses you and decides an injection is not clinically appropriate, you will only be charged at our standard diagnostic ultrasound rate, not the procedure price. We accept self-pay and most major UK private health insurers; please confirm cover with your insurer before booking.

Coming to us privately does not affect your NHS care. Our goal is to get you answers and treatment quickly, without the long waits often involved in accessing injection therapy on the NHS.

You are seen by a consultant specialist who can assess, diagnose and, where appropriate, treat your hip osteoarthritis in a single visit. Your report and images can be shared securely with your NHS GP or any specialist, and if your situation needs onward NHS care your consultant will write to your GP accordingly.

We don’t want you waiting months in pain when effective treatment is available now.