How Do Individuals Perceive Diagnostic Labels and Explanations for Hip Pain? A Qualitative Study Among Adults With Persistent Hip Pain

Using the label "hip osteoarthritis" (explaining osteoarthritis as a dynamic, whole-joint condition) may foster more favorable beliefs about nonsurgical care. Because shifting entrenched beliefs is challenging, clinicians are encouraged to foster accurate beliefs about hip osteoarthritis and its care early in the patient's healthcare journey. They should highlight the potential benefits of all types of physical activity and clarify that surgery is an optional, not inevitable, treatment for hip pain. Personalized education about biopsychosocial contributors to osteoarthritis hip pain (reflecting the patients' narratives and experiences) could enhance patients' openness to strategies that address these factors (such as improving sleep and mental health).