Final answer:
Persistent hip pain with limited range of motion often points to osteoarthritis, the most prevalent cause of hip disability, which may require pain management, lifestyle changes or potentially total hip arthroplasty.
Step-by-step explanation:
Persistent hip pain with significantly decreased range of motion in an adult or adolescent is suspicious for osteoarthritis of the hip joint. Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common cause of hip disability and can lead to chronic pain and impaired physical function.
The treatment options for osteoarthritis include exercise, efforts to decrease stress on joints, pain medications, and in some cases, surgery to replace the affected hip joint through a procedure known as total hip arthroplasty, also known as hip replacement surgery.
Rheumatoid arthritis, another potential cause of hip pain, is a systemic autoimmune disorder that affects the synovial joints and can lead to joint damage and decreased mobility.