MR KHALDOUN BITAR

01902 936 690

alison.whitehouse@nuffieldhealth.com

Booking & Fees

Hip Osteoarthritis

What is Hip Osteoarthritis?

Hip osteoarthritis is a common condition where the protective cartilage in the hip joint wears down over time, leading to pain, stiffness, and reduced mobility.

Symptoms

Pain in the hip, groin, or thigh, worsening with activity
Stiffness, especially after rest
Difficulty walking, bending, or putting on shoes

Treatment Options

Non-Surgical

Pain relief (medication, steroid injections), physiotherapy, lifestyle modifications, and weight management can help with symptoms.

Surgical

If symptoms are severe and persistent, hip replacement or resurfacing surgery may be recommended to restore function and relieve pain.

Patient Reviews

When to See a Specialist

If hip pain is affecting your daily activities or does not improve with self-care, you can book a consultation by filling in your details below or by contacting my secretary directly at

01902 936 690

Trochanteric Bursitis

What is Trochanteric Bursitis?

Trochanteric bursitis is a common condition that causes pain on the outer side of the hip. It occurs when the trochanteric bursa, a fluid-filled sac that cushions the hip bone, becomes inflamed. This can lead to discomfort, tenderness, and difficulty with activities such as walking, climbing stairs, or lying on the affected side.

What Are the Symptoms?

Patients with trochanteric bursitis may experience:

Pain on the outer side of the hip, which may extend down the thigh

Increased pain when lying on the affected side
Discomfort with walking, running, or climbing stairs
Tenderness when pressing on the outer hip
Stiffness or swelling in the area

What Causes Trochanteric Bursitis?

The condition can develop due to:

Repetitive movements  (e.g., running, prolonged standing, or excessive stair climbing)

Muscle imbalances or weakness in the hip and thigh muscles

Hip injuries (such as a fall or direct impact to the hip)
Poor posture or gait problems (e.g., leg length differences, spinal issues)
Arthritis or previous hip surgery

How Is It Diagnosed?

A diagnosis is usually made based on your symptoms and a clinical examination. In some cases, imaging tests such as X-rays or MRI scans may be recommended to rule out other conditions affecting the hip.

Treatment Options

Most cases of trochanteric bursitis can be managed without surgery. Treatment options include:

Lifestyle Modifications & Self-Care

Medications

Physiotherapy & Exercises

Lifestyle Modifications & Self-Care

Avoid activities that worsen the pain
Use  ice packs to reduce inflammation
Consider using a cushioned mattress or pillow to reduce pressure on the hip when sleeping

Medications

Anti-inflammatory medications (such as ibuprofen) can help relieve pain and swelling
In some cases, steroid injections may be recommended for persistent pain

Physiotherapy & Exercises

Stretching and strengthening exercises to improve hip stability
Postural and gait correction to reduce strain on the bursa
Soft tissue massage or ultrasound therapy

When Should You See a Specialist?

You should consider seeing a specialist if:

Your pain persists despite rest and self-care
You experience difficulty walking or performing daily activities
There is significant swelling or redness around the hip
You have tried treatments such as physiotherapy or medication with little improvement

Book a Consultation

If you are experiencing ongoing hip pain, I can assess your condition and recommend the most effective treatment for you. To book an appointment, please contact my secretary at

01902 936 690

Avascular Necrosis (AVN) of the Hip

What is AVN?

Avascular necrosis (AVN) happens when the blood flow to a bone gets interrupted. When it affects the femoral head (the ball part of your hip joint), the bone can weaken and, over time, may collapse. This can eventually cause arthritis in the hip and make movement painful.

At a Glance

AVN means loss of blood supply to the bone
It often affects the ball of the hip joint (femoral head)
Causes include injuries, medications (like steroids), alcohol, or health conditions
Symptoms can include hip pain, stiffness, and limping
Some cases improve on their own, but others need treatment
Early diagnosis gives the best chance to avoid serious damage

What Causes It?

Several things can lead to AVN, such as:

A serious injury like a hip fracture or dislocation
Long-term use of steroid medications
Heavy alcohol use
Certain medical conditions (like sickle cell disease or lupus)
Sometimes, the cause isn’t known (this is called “idiopathic AVN”)

What Are the Symptoms?

At first, you might not notice anything. As AVN progresses, you may experience:

Pain in your hip, groin, or buttock
Pain that worsens when standing, walking, or putting weight on the hip
Stiffness or trouble moving your hip
A limp when you walk

Can It Get Better on Its Own?

In some cases — especially when AVN is caught early and the area is small — symptoms can settle down over time. Some small areas of AVN can heal without the need for surgery. However, careful monitoring is important because in other cases, the condition can progress and cause more severe joint damage.

How Is It Diagnosed?

Your doctor will check your symptoms and may recommend:

X-rays
MRI scans (to spot early changes in the bone)

How Is It Treated?

Treatment depends on how severe the AVN is:

Early stages:

Resting the hip, reducing weight-bearing (using crutches), physical therapy, and pain relief can help. Sometimes, the body can heal itself.

If the condition progresses:

Surgery might be needed, including:

Core decompression (drilling into the bone to relieve pressure and promote blood flow)
Bone grafting (adding healthy bone)
Realignment surgery (osteotomy)
Hip replacement surgery if there’s significant damage

What’s the Outlook?

Some patients improve without surgery, especially if the AVN is small and caught early. If the disease progresses, treatments are available to relieve pain, improve movement, and protect your quality of life.

When Should You See a Doctor?

If you have ongoing hip pain — especially after an injury — or if walking becomes difficult, it’s important to see a doctor early. Early diagnosis gives you the best chance for simpler, more effective treatment.

Sacroiliac (SI) Joint Pain

What is the Sacroiliac (SI) Joint?

The sacroiliac (SI) joints connect the bottom of your spine (the sacrum) to your pelvis. You have two SI joints — one on each side. These joints help transfer weight from your upper body to your legs and absorb shock when you move.

What is SI Joint Pain?

SI joint pain happens when one or both of these joints become irritated or inflamed. It often causes pain on one side of the lower back, buttock, or hip.

This is different from typical lower back pain, which is usually felt across the middle or both sides of the lower back.

 At a Glance

SI joints connect your spine to your pelvis
Pain is often felt on one side of the lower back, buttock, or hip
It can be caused by injury, arthritis, pregnancy, or uneven movement
Treatment includes physical therapy, medications, injections.

What Causes SI Joint Pain?

Common causes include:

Injury or trauma (such as a fall, sports injury, or car accident)

Pregnancy (hormones loosen joints, and extra weight adds strain)

Arthritis (like ankylosing spondylitis or osteoarthritis)

Repetitive stress (from heavy lifting, running, or twisting)

Differences in leg length or abnormal walking patterns

What Are the Symptoms?

You may notice:

Pain on one side of your lower back, buttock, hip, or groin

Pain that worsens when standing, walking, climbing stairs, or getting out of a chair
Stiffness or feeling “locked” around the pelvis
Occasional weakness or a feeling that your leg might “give way”

Key Point:

SI joint pain is usually one-sided and often worsens with movements like standing up, twisting, or climbing stairs — this helps tell it apart from general lower back pain, which is often spread across the lower back.

How Is SI Joint Pain Diagnosed?

Your doctor may:

Perform a physical exam (moving your legs and hips in ways that stress the SI joint)
Recommend imaging tests like X-rays, MRI, or CT scans (to rule out other problems)
Use diagnostic injections (numbing the joint to see if pain improves)

How Is It Treated?

Most people improve with non-surgical treatments:

Physical therapy (to strengthen and stabilize the muscles around the pelvis)

Medications (such as anti-inflammatory drugs)

SI joint injections (to reduce inflammation and confirm the diagnosis) This is usually an effective way of treating the pain originating from the joint

Radiofrequency ablation (to “turn off” the nerves causing pain)

What’s the Outlook?

Most people with SI joint pain respond well to treatment and return to normal activities. Early diagnosis and a tailored therapy plan are key to faster recovery.

When Should You See a Doctor?

If you have one-sided lower back or buttock pain that doesn’t improve with simple care — especially if standing, walking, or twisting makes it worse — it’s important to get evaluated early.