Evidence for the Use of Intra-articular Cortisone or Hyaluronic Acid Injection in the Hip
Authors: Chandrasekaran S, Lodhia P, Suarez-Ahedo C, et al.
DOI: 1093/jhps/hnv020
Summary:
This systematic review assessed diagnostic and therapeutic hip injections—including corticosteroids, hyaluronic acid (HA), and PRP—for osteoarthritis (OA) and femoroacetabular impingement (FAI). Diagnostic injections are highly accurate for identifying intra-articular hip pain. Corticosteroids provide the most consistent pain relief in hip OA, with higher doses extending benefits. No increased infection risk was found for patients receiving corticosteroids prior to hip arthroplasty. Evidence for injections in labral tears or FAI is limited.
Takeaway:
Corticosteroid injections are a reliable, nonoperative option for hip OA pain relief, and diagnostic injections help pinpoint the source of pain. Injections for labral tears or FAI should be considered carefully, but corticosteroids remain safe even if future hip replacement is anticipated.