Hip pain from psoriatic arthritis (PsA) can interfere with daily activities, including walking, standing, and sitting. This, in turn, can make it difficult to work, engage in your favorite physical activities, or even enjoy sitting down to a meal with friends and family. Fortunately, there are some ways to manage hip pain from PsA.

PsA is a type of inflammatory arthritis that affects about one-third of people with psoriasis. In most cases, joint symptoms develop after psoriasis, but they can happen first. Between 7 percent and 15 percent of people with PsA have hip pain.

If PsA is causing hip pain, talk to your doctor about treatment options that may help ease pain, slow disease progression, and delay future joint problems.

1. Injections

Your doctor may recommend injected medications to help with your hip pain. One option is corticosteroids (often called steroids), a type of anti-inflammatory drug that reduces swelling and pain. When injected directly into an affected joint, corticosteroids can provide fast relief. These injections are typically used when only one or two joints are affected.

“I have cortisone injections in my knees and hips every four months. It really helps.”

— A MyPsoriasisTeam member

However, corticosteroid injections are usually a short-term option. They are often used during flares (periods when symptoms get worse) and may need to be repeated over time.

“I have cortisone injections in my knees and hips every four months,” said one MyPsoriasisTeam member. “It really helps.”

Your doctor may also recommend biologics given by injection or infusion to treat PsA. These drugs target specific parts of the immune system to slow or stop disease progression (how the disease worsens over time). Unlike steroid injections, biologics may not provide immediate pain relief. However, they can help control inflammation over the long term and may reduce joint damage and symptoms over time.

2. Oral Medications

Your doctor may recommend starting with over-the-counter (OTC) nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like aspirin, ibuprofen (Advil and Motrin), and naproxen (Aleve).

Analgesics like acetaminophen (Tylenol) help with pain relief but not inflammation, and they don’t affect disease progression.

To help slow disease progression, your doctor might recommend one or more prescription oral medications. These often include disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs), which can reduce inflammation, ease symptoms, and help prevent joint damage.

Types of DMARDs used to treat PsA include:

• Conventional DMARDs — These work on the immune system more broadly.
• Targeted DMARDs — These focus on specific parts of the immune system involved in inflammation.

3. Exercise

When your hips hurt, staying active may feel difficult. However, gentle exercise can sometimes help improve:

• Joint pain
• Limited range of motion (how far a joint can move)
• Stiffness

For some people living with PsA, exercise can also support mental and emotional well-being, which may be affected by chronic pain.

“I have pain in my hip joint. When it hurts, I do yoga poses in bed.”

— A MyPsoriasisTeam member

Low-impact activities such as walking, cycling, and swimming can help you stay active without putting extra strain on your hips. Mind-body practices like yoga and tai chi may also improve flexibility, balance, and relaxation.

MyPsoriasisTeam members have shared their exercise tips for PsA-related hip pain:

• “I see a physiotherapist who has given me exercises for my hips.”
• “I have pain in my hip joint. When it hurts, I do yoga poses in bed.”
• “I’ve found that yoga, tai chi, and qigong work well.”
• “Stretching helps!”
• “Yoga helps me in the morning.”
• “I keep exercising and trying to reduce inflammation.”

4. Diet

There is no single “PsA diet,” but some people living with PsA find that certain foods may affect inflammation. Adjusting what you eat may help reduce symptoms like hip pain.

“It’s not easy changing my diet, but I know if I avoid red meat and sugar, I feel better,” said one MyPsoriasisTeam member.

“I have been eating a plant-based diet for more than 10 years, and it has reduced my inflammation,” said another.

Foods that may support joint health and help lower inflammation include:

• Nuts and seeds
• Olive oil
• Fatty fish, including salmon, tuna, and sardines
• Fruits
• Cruciferous vegetables, such as leafy greens, broccoli, and Brussels sprouts
• Whole grains
• Lean proteins, such as poultry, lentils, and beans

“It’s not easy changing my diet, but I know if I avoid red meat and sugar, I feel better.”

— A MyPsoriasisTeam member

Certain foods, including red meat and highly processed foods, may increase inflammation in some people.

Weight Management

Eating a balanced diet can also help you reach or maintain a weight that supports your overall health. Obesity is a risk factor for PsA. (Obesity is defined as having a body mass index, or BMI, of 30 or higher.) Extra weight can also strain your joints, and excess fat can fuel inflammation.

According to the Arthritis Foundation, if you are obese, losing 10 percent of your body weight may significantly improve how your body responds to treatment. If you have questions about diet and PsA, talk to your healthcare provider or a registered dietitian.

5. Other Treatments

In addition to injections, medication, exercise, and diet, some people find hip pain relief from:

• Massage — This can relieve stress as well as joint pain.
• Heat and cold therapy — Try alternating between a heating pad or warm bath and ice packs.
• Relaxation techniques — Options include meditation, deep breathing, and guided imagery.
• Intentional rest — Take a break from exercise and stress during flare-ups.
• Assistive devices — Using braces and splints can reduce pressure on your hip joints.

Talk to Your Doctor

There is no one-size-fits-all treatment option for PsA hip pain. What works for someone else may not work for you. You may need to try different strategies with guidance from your care team.

Start by building a care team you trust. Be sure to include a doctor who specializes in rheumatology.

Join the Conversation

On MyPsoriasisTeam, people share their experiences with psoriatic arthritis, get advice, and find support from others who understand.

What treatments have helped most with your PsA hip pain? Let others know in the comments below.