Does PRP work for hip pain and hip osteoarthritis?
Reviewed by The Wellness Team.
PRP can ease pain and improve function for some patients with mild to moderate hip osteoarthritis. A 2025 meta-analysis of randomised trials in Clinical Rheumatology found PRP and hyaluronic acid gave varying degrees of pain relief and functional improvement, with a good safety profile. Results depend on the stage of arthritis and the protocol, so a doctor's assessment comes first.
Key points
- An estimated 3.2 million people in the UK have hip osteoarthritis, according to Versus Arthritis, and the hip is the second joint most affected by osteoarthritis.
- Analysis of national hospital data in England found a significant rise in hip osteoarthritis among younger adults between 2012 and 2018.
- A 2025 meta-analysis in Clinical Rheumatology found PRP gave pain relief and functional improvement in hip osteoarthritis, with an acceptable safety profile.
- PRP works best in early to moderate disease and is not a substitute for hip replacement in advanced arthritis.
- The London PRP Clinic by The Wellness offers doctor-led joint PRP from £595, with a free doctor review on WhatsApp.
What causes hip osteoarthritis pain?
Hip osteoarthritis pain comes from gradual wear and inflammation in the ball and socket joint of the hip. The cartilage that cushions the joint thins, the joint lining becomes inflamed, and small bony changes develop at the edges. Patients typically feel pain in the groin, outer hip or thigh, stiffness after rest, and difficulty with stairs, putting on socks or walking longer distances.
Hip osteoarthritis is common and increasingly affects younger, active adults. A study of hospital records in England covering more than three million patients found a significant rise in hip osteoarthritis among younger adults between 2012 and 2018. Many of these patients want to stay active for decades before considering surgery.
Ask a doctor about your hip on WhatsApp and include any X-ray or scan reports you have.
Does PRP work for hip osteoarthritis?
PRP for hip osteoarthritis has a growing but mixed evidence base. A 2025 systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised trials in Clinical Rheumatology concluded that biological treatments, particularly PRP and hyaluronic acid, give varying degrees of pain relief and functional improvement in hip osteoarthritis, with a generally acceptable safety profile. A 2024 systematic review of five randomised trials concluded that PRP appears to be a safe and effective option for hip osteoarthritis, with favourable outcomes compared with hyaluronic acid.
Other analyses add nuance. Two earlier meta-analyses, published in 2022 and 2023, found no significant difference between PRP and hyaluronic acid at around 12 months. A 2025 review of trials published between 2019 and 2024 found considerable variation in how PRP was prepared and injected, which makes results harder to compare. That variation is why a consistent, doctor-led protocol matters.
How does PRP compare with other hip treatments?
PRP sits alongside several other non-surgical options for hip osteoarthritis. Each suits a different goal.
- Exercise and physiotherapy. The foundation of every plan, strengthening the muscles that support the hip.
- Steroid injection. Fast short-term relief, with limits on how often it can be repeated.
- Hyaluronic acid injection. Aims to lubricate the joint, with results similar to PRP in some pooled analyses.
- PRP injection. Uses the patient's own blood to reduce inflammation and support the joint, with benefit typically building over four to eight weeks.
- Hip replacement. The definitive treatment for advanced, end-stage arthritis.
Book your free suitability review on WhatsApp for a doctor's view on which option suits your hip.
Who is a good candidate for hip PRP?
Good candidates for hip PRP have mild to moderate osteoarthritis confirmed on X-ray or scan, with joint space still visible. Typical features include the following.
- Groin, outer hip or thigh pain lasting more than three months.
- Stiffness and reduced walking distance despite exercise and physiotherapy.
- A wish to stay active and delay surgery, or a reason to avoid surgery for now.
- No active infection, platelet disorder or recent steroid injection into the same hip.
Patients with severe, bone-on-bone arthritis are less likely to benefit. Our doctors explain this honestly and can recommend referral for a surgical opinion.
What happens during a hip PRP appointment?
A hip PRP appointment takes around 45 to 60 minutes. A doctor reviews your history and imaging, examines the hip and confirms suitability. A small blood sample is drawn and processed in a closed, medical-grade system to concentrate the platelets.
The hip joint sits deep beneath muscle, so hip PRP is performed under ultrasound guidance to place the injection accurately. The Online GP by The Wellness offers doctor-performed diagnostic ultrasound in the same Marylebone clinic. Most patients walk out normally and return to light activity within 24 to 48 hours.
How many hip PRP injections will I need?
Most hip PRP protocols use one to three injections spaced two to four weeks apart. Improvement usually begins after four to six weeks and continues for several months. Trials typically follow patients for 6 to 12 months, and some patients repeat treatment annually if benefit continues.
PRP works best alongside a strengthening programme for the hip and core muscles, plus weight management where relevant. Read our guide to whether PRP can delay a joint replacement for how these elements fit together.
Request your hip PRP plan on WhatsApp and a doctor will outline the options.
How much does hip PRP cost in London?
Image-guided joint injections at Harley Street clinics commonly cost £780 to £900 or more per injection. The London PRP Clinic by The Wellness offers doctor-led joint PRP from £595. The doctor confirms the number of injections and the total cost before treatment begins. Read our full guide to PRP joint injection costs in London.
How does the free suitability review work?
The free suitability review is a doctor's honest opinion before any appointment. Send a short description of your hip symptoms, what treatment you have tried and any X-ray or scan reports through WhatsApp. A GMC-registered doctor reviews the case and either approves you for a consultation or recommends a more suitable route.
Start your free hip review now, call +44 20 3951 3429, or email team@thewellnesslondon.com.
Frequently asked questions
Can PRP help hip arthritis?
PRP can ease pain and improve function for some patients with mild to moderate hip osteoarthritis. A 2025 meta-analysis in Clinical Rheumatology found PRP gave pain relief and functional improvement with an acceptable safety profile.
Is a hip PRP injection done under ultrasound?
Hip PRP is performed under ultrasound guidance, because the hip joint sits deep beneath muscle and accurate placement matters.
Can PRP delay a hip replacement?
PRP is used to ease symptoms and keep patients active, which may postpone surgery for some. Long-term trials are still limited, and advanced arthritis usually needs a surgical opinion.
Where can I have hip PRP in London?
The London PRP Clinic by The Wellness offers doctor-led joint PRP from £595 at 4 Baker Street, Marylebone, London.