Hip pain can make walking, climbing stairs, putting on shoes or sleeping on one side difficult. When osteoarthritis, bursitis or other conditions persist despite physiotherapy and medication, an injection can be a useful next step. Because the hip is a deep joint, these injections are usually guided by imaging. This article explains how they work, how effective they are and how to get the most from them.

What Are Orthopedic Injections for Hip Pain?

Hip injections deliver medication into the hip joint itself or into the surrounding structures, such as the trochanteric bursa on the outer side of the hip. The main options are:

Corticosteroids, to calm inflammation quickly.
Hyaluronic acid viscosupplements, to restore lubrication in an osteoarthritic joint, when the product’s instructions for use include the hip.
Platelet-rich plasma (PRP), studied for certain tendon conditions and osteoarthritis.
Local anaesthetics, sometimes used alone to confirm whether the pain truly comes from the hip joint.

When Are Hip Injections Recommended?

Hip osteoarthritis with persistent pain despite physiotherapy, exercise and medication.
Trochanteric bursitis or gluteal tendinopathy causing pain on the outer side of the hip.
To clarify the diagnosis when pain could come from the hip, the lower back or the groin.
To relieve pain while waiting for hip replacement surgery, which can involve long wait times in some provinces.

How Do Hip Injections Work?

Corticosteroids reduce inflammation in the joint or bursa. Viscosupplements improve the viscosity of joint fluid, which reduces friction and improves shock absorption. Because the hip joint lies deep under muscles and close to blood vessels and nerves, the injection is generally performed under ultrasound or fluoroscopy guidance to ensure that the product reaches the joint. Our article on orthopedic injection techniques explains why imaging matters.

How Effective Are Hip Injections?

Corticosteroid injections often provide significant short-term relief, typically lasting a few weeks to a few months. Results with hyaluronic acid in the hip are more variable than in the knee; some patients benefit, particularly in mild to moderate osteoarthritis. For trochanteric bursitis, a corticosteroid injection combined with targeted exercises often provides good relief. A diagnostic injection is also valuable: if pain disappears temporarily after an anaesthetic is injected into the joint, the hip is confirmed as the source.

Benefits and Considerations

Benefits: targeted relief, quick procedure, rapid return to daily activities, help with rehabilitation and possible delay of surgery.

Considerations: relief is temporary, corticosteroids must be spaced out, results vary with the severity of osteoarthritis, and imaging guidance is generally needed. As with any injection, rare risks include infection and allergic reactions. See our article on orthopedic injection side effects.

What to Expect Before, During and After the Procedure

Before: the clinician reviews the medical history, medications and imaging. See our guide to preparing for an orthopedic injection.

During: the patient lies on their back, the skin is disinfected, a local anaesthetic is used and the needle is guided by ultrasound or fluoroscopy. The procedure takes a few minutes.

After: rest for 24 to 48 hours, use ice if needed and plan a ride home. Light activities resume the next day.

How to Maximize Results After Hip Injections

Follow a physiotherapy program focused on the hip and gluteal muscles.
Choose low-impact activities such as walking, cycling, swimming or aquafitness.
Maintain a healthy weight to reduce the load on the joint.
Use a cane on the opposite side during painful periods or on icy winter surfaces.
Attend follow-up appointments to plan future treatments.

Clinics can compare viscosupplements and combination products in our orthopedic injections category.

References

Migliorini, F., Trivella, M., & Eschweiler, J. (2021). State of art in intra-articular hip injections of different medications for osteoarthritis: A systematic review. Journal of Orthopaedics and Traumatology, 22(1), 43. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8630838/
Choueiri, M., & Reddy, R. (2020). Intraarticular corticosteroids for hip osteoarthritis: A review. Clinical Medicine Insights: Arthritis and Musculoskeletal Disorders, 13, 1179548420950664. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8808783/
Chen, J. J., Lam, K. Y., Chan, L. K., Kwok, A. K., & Cheung, J. P. (2020). Intra-articular steroid injection for patients with hip osteoarthritis: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Pain Research and Management, 2020, 6320154. https://doi.org/10.1155/2020/6320154
Migliorini, F., Biebricher, C., & Eschweiler, J. (2025). Intra-articular hyaluronic acid injections for hip osteoarthritis: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Journal of Clinical Medicine, 14(10), 2890. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12064613/
Gazendam, A., Ghert, C., & Bhandari, M. (2021). Intra-articular saline injection is as effective as intra-articular corticosteroids for knee and hip osteoarthritis: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials. British Journal of Sports Medicine, 55(5), 256–263. https://bjsm.bmj.com/content/55/5/256

Common Questions About This Topic

How long does relief from a hip injection last?

It varies: a few weeks to a few months for a corticosteroid, and potentially longer for a viscosupplement in suitable patients. Results depend on the severity of the condition.

Are hip injections safe for active, healthy people?

Yes, when performed by trained professionals with imaging guidance. Active patients should reintroduce high-impact sports gradually after the injection.

What is the difference between diagnostic and therapeutic injections?

A diagnostic injection, usually with an anaesthetic, confirms whether pain comes from the hip. A therapeutic injection aims to relieve pain over time, using a corticosteroid or a viscosupplement.

Can injections replace exercise and healthy habits?

No. Injections relieve pain, but exercise, weight management and physiotherapy are what maintain hip function over the long term.

How often can someone get hip injections?

Corticosteroids are usually spaced at least three to four months apart. Our article on injection frequency details the recommended intervals.

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