Looking back, I wish I’d known then what I know now.
The signs were there for years – twinges, stiffness, knee pain that wasn’t really knee pain. But it wasn’t until I pushed for answers that I discovered the real issue: severe osteoarthritis in both hips. That was just the start of my journey through the NHS system – one that proved to be as frustrating as it was eye-opening. I could have been left managing my pain with nothing but turmeric and fish oil supplements. But armed with the right questions and a little determination, I uncovered the options I should have been told about from the start. This is a story of persistence.
The term arthritis refers to painful, stiff, or restricted joints. These symptoms are common in conditions that cause joint damage or inflammation. The most common type is osteoarthritis, where the body is unable to maintain and repair the joints. The cartilage becomes thin and uneven, preventing the joint from moving easily. It’s regarded as an aging process not an illness.
“Osteoarthritis is one of the biggest causes of pain and disability in the UK,” Zoe Chivers, Director of Services and Devolved Nations at Versus Arthritis (renamed Arthritis UK in October 2025), told East Anglia Bylines. “Currently, over 2.7 million people in England are living with hip osteoarthritis. It’s a common and harmful myth that it is simply ‘wear and tear’ in the joint as we get older.”
According to Arthritis UK, our joints are made of complex living tissue that our bodies are constantly repairing and maintaining. Osteoarthritis occurs when our bodies can no longer do this effectively. It is the body’s attempts to repair these changes which lead to pain, stiffness and swelling. I hear clicking noises as the uneven surfaces of my hip joints move against each other.
How it begins
Hindsight is a wonderful thing. While my own diagnosis is very recent, I now realise that my journey down the severe hip osteoarthritis path began decades ago. There were early signs, such as difficulty sitting cross legged and mounting a ladies bicycle or doing breast stroke. When the knee pain started, I went to see a podiatrist. Then suddenly, groin pain came and walking became harder. Worst, was the disturbed sleep and an ache around my knee running down to my ankle. I now know this is ‘referred pain’, and stems solely from my hip condition. An X-ray proved my knee is fine.
Anyone who has hip osteoarthritis will recognise much of my journey, and alas, much of what followed when I finally visited the local surgery.
Diagnosis
The results of an x-ray of my hips and right knee were relayed over the phone by the GP surgery reception staff:
Reception: You have severe osteoarthritis in both hips. The right is more severe and there are lots of long words in the X-ray report. The doctor says you should take turmeric tablets and fish oil supplements.
Me: Has the doctor seen the X-rays?
Reception: No, we don’t have that, only the X-ray report. Shall I send you a copy of the report?
Me: Oh. Yes please.
A longish pause
Reception: Do you want to make an appointment to see the doctor?
Me: That would probably be a good idea.
Following this brief conversation, I talked to friends. They asked lots of questions: “Has the doctor put you on the ‘pathway scheme’?” “Were you recommended to use ibroprufen gels or take paracetamol for the pain?” “What dosage of turmeric and fish oils?” “Were you offered a steroid injection?” “Are you being referred to a physiotherapist?” “Has the doctor advised any exercises or recommended contacting Versus Arthritis for their self-help booklets?” To which my answers were all, “No” and “What is the pathway scheme?”
I had a lot to learn. Incidentally, the pathway scheme (or Pathway through arthritis), is a mechanism used to assess over a period of time the changing severity and impact of osteoarthritis on mobility, quality of life, etc. to determine whether it is time to consider a hip replacement operation.
Meeting the GP
I acquired a copy of my X-rays after a friend told me that I was entitled to it. Then, armed with my friends’ questions and new learning, I met the GP. Our conversation went, more or less, as follows:
GP: You have severe osteoarthritis in both hips. Your right hip is worst.
Me: Have you seen my X-rays?
GP: No.
Me: Would you like to see them?
GP: Yes.
I take out my phone and show him the X-rays. The GP repeats that I have severe osteoarthritis.
Me: If I want to try and manage the situation, is a steroid injection suitable?
GP: No. The hip is too deep. You could have one for the knee pain.
Me: How do I get on the pathway scheme?
GP: There’s no point. Your condition is such that I can refer you to a consultant now.
To put it bluntly, at this point, I was quite shocked. In less than one month, I had gone from “doctor says take supplements”, to the doctor stating I could be referred immediately to a consultant for hip replacement surgery.
I was also directed to the NHS physiotherapy team, an online process of semi self-referral that is not straight forward because of limited date availability, locations and commitment to six consecutive weeks “else we remove you”. As I write, in spite of explaining my situation to the NHS physio team, I have yet to secure an appointment. Fortunately, a friend recommended a private physiotherapist who turns out to be a gem.
Managing to get by
After laughing at the “take turmeric and cod liver oil supplements”, the private physio explained by means of my X-rays, the associated report, a life-sized skeleton and muscle charts, why I was getting groin pain and the referred pain down my leg. Based on the Arthritis UK hip stabilising and strengthening exercises, she adapted exercises for my situation. Doing a small amount of regular, meaningful exercise can help promote cartilage growth.
“Many people worry that exercising will increase their hip pain and may cause further joint damage,” said Chivers. “However, while resting painful joints may make them feel more comfortable at first, you shouldn’t be afraid to use your joints. If you don’t start moving your hip, it could start to get weaker and less flexible, which will reduce your ability to get out and about and lead a full life.”
Muscle strength is key to managing a worn hip joint and preparing for surgery. I was recommended to keep cycling and do exercises in a swimming pool as these are less weight bearing on the hips. The tip of lying on the floor with knees bent to rest aching joints for 15 minutes in the middle of the day really eases the general ache and stiffness. Sleeping with a firm rectangular cushion between the legs and adding a specialist, inclined cushion to the car seat, significantly reduces the referred pain. Nordic poles help me walk erect. Adding Epsom salt to bath water, and not sitting too long in a chair without moving, all help.
Frontline NHS could do more
A few months on, the advice, tips and daily exercises are helping. But I remain quite angry that without knowledgeable friends and money to pay for a private physiotherapist, I could have been left battling alone on just turmeric and fish oil supplements.
I understand that the NHS is cash strapped, physiotherapy services are under-resourced and we have to take more responsibility for our health. But frontline NHS services need to significantly improve. GPs may have limited time to discuss matters, but at the very least, surgeries could provide the free Arthritis UK p.
Time will tell how soon I take up the offer of seeing a consultant. No operation is without risk, and there is a minimally invasive hip replacement technique with less damage to soft tissues and therefore a possible faster recovery. When it comes to it, God willing, I will be a suitable candidate for this approach.
You don’t need to face arthritis alone. Arthritis UK advisors aim to bring all of the information and advice about arthritis into one place to provide tailored support for you. Do contact them.
Arthritis UK offer a Let’s move with Leon series — a 12-week programme of 30-minute movement sessions, presented by fitness expert Leon Wormley that can be a great starting point. Before you begin, it’s a good idea to get advice from a doctor, physiotherapist, or personal trainer in a gym about specific exercises. Start by exercising very gently and build up gradually.
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