Hip osteoarthritis
Stiffness and groin or buttock ache from a wearing hip joint, well helped by guided strength work.
By Andrew Ellis, AHPRA registered physiotherapist · Reviewed July 2026
What it is
Hip osteoarthritis is a gradual change in the cartilage and joint surfaces of the hip. It usually shows up as stiffness in the morning, an ache in the groin or buttock after activity, and growing difficulty with socks, stairs and getting out of the car.
A diagnosis of osteoarthritis is not a sentence to stop moving. Australian and international guidelines put guided exercise and strength work first, before injections or surgery, and many people find the right program improves pain and function considerably.
Signs and symptoms
Everyone is different, but these are common with hip osteoarthritis. You may have some and not others.
How physiotherapy helps
We assess your hip range, strength and walking pattern, then build a progressive strength program targeted at the muscles that unload the joint, alongside hands on therapy for comfort and advice on pacing and activity. The aim is a hip that does more with less pain, and if a joint replacement is ever needed, going in strong and rehabilitating well afterwards makes a real difference to the result.
- Hip strength and movement assessment
- Progressive strengthening program
- Hands on therapy for comfort
- Activity pacing and load advice
How we treat it
The right mix depends on your assessment. These are the services we most often draw on for this.
Exercise and rehabilitation
Tailored programs to rebuild mobility, strength and confidence in the movements that matter to you.
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Spinal and joint mobilisation
Gentle, controlled movement to improve a stiff joint and ease the pain that comes with it.
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Chronic pain physiotherapy
A broader, paced approach for pain that has stayed past the normal healing time.
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Trigger point dry needling
Fine needles into trigger points to release muscle tension and ease referred pain. A core focus at PACT.
Learn more →
What you pay, with or without cover
Every appointment is a full, unhurried session with the time to work through complex, persistent problems. The fee is $165 for an initial visit and $142 for a follow up, and if you have Medicare, private health extras or an accepted claim, here is what you pay.
Paying privately
No referral or paperwork needed. Every visit is a full, unhurried session with the time it needs.
With a Medicare plan
A GP Chronic Disease Management referral rebates $61.80 on every visit, up to 5 a year.
With private health extras
Claim on the spot through HICAPS. The gap depends on your fund and level of cover. See all health funds
Workers comp & CTP
Accepted workers compensation and CTP claims are billed straight to your insurer, and we handle the paperwork.
Every bar is drawn to the same scale, from $0 to the standard fee. Private health gaps vary with your fund and your level of extras cover.
Other problems we help with
Pain rarely sits in one neat box. These are commonly linked, and we treat them all.
Good to know before you book
Will I end up needing a hip replacement?
How much will it cost?
Do I need a referral?
Can it be managed by telehealth?
Read more on this
Plain English articles from our physiotherapist, written to answer the questions we get asked most.
Sources and further reading
Written and reviewed by Andrew Ellis, AHPRA registered physiotherapist. Last reviewed July 2026.
This page is general information about hip osteoarthritis, not a diagnosis or a substitute for an assessment. If you are concerned about your symptoms, book an appointment or see your GP.
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Same day appointments often available at our Miranda clinic, or by telehealth across Australia.