Common alternatives to a hip replacement
There are other treatments you can try first before having a hip replacement.
Treatments that may be tried first
Before having a hip replacement, your GP or doctor will talk to you about non-surgical treatments to help with your hip pain and stiffness.
These may include lifestyle changes and some types of pain relief, such as:
- weight loss to reduce the strain on your hip if you’re overweight (find out about managing your weight)
- low-impact exercise such as swimming, walking or cycling, and muscle strengthening in the hips – a physiotherapist may advise and support you with exercising
- using walking aids
- wearing special footwear or insoles for your shoes
- pain relief medicines, gels or creams
- hydrocortisone (steroid) injections – an injection into the hip joint to help with pain and swelling
If you’ve tried these and they have not helped, your doctor may talk to you about having a hip replacement.