Osteoarthritis in the hip?

Hi, I was showing certain signs of arthritis in my hip. Not only did it show in my first x ray according to my gp but its in my family. It really aches too. I spent so long in hospital today being messed around with by more radiographers, nurses and an orthopeadic surgeon. And I'm pretty sure he said that my x rays showed that my hips were healthy. But hes sent me off to have a steriod injection to see if he can find out more...
He didnt mention arthritis at all. So - does this mean I have it?
or that I dont? If I dont, why would I need a steriod injection?
Who diagnoses the arthritis?? My gp or the orthopeadic surgeon? Or does he just assume that I have it and that it hasnt advanced yet. I'm so confused! I didnt manage to ask any questions because I was being hurried along all the time.
Any doctors or orthopeadic surgeons who can tell me whats going on? That'll be great, thanks!

They've done 2 different x rays. The first one showed wear and tear according to my GP. The second showed it everything was ok (I was put in a different position) according to my consultant. I'm being told 2 different stories. I can't ask for anymore because its so painful to get in an x ray friendly position..

As for the steroid injections - I dont care as long as I dont have to have surgery. I'm a very active person and I wish to stay that way.

But why would my arthritis consultant offer the injection if he thinks I have a healthy hip? A bit extreme dont you think?

Ooooo OK so osteo is wear and tear and Rheumatoid is auto immune disease it can only be detected in your blood sample in about 80% of patients,,,As for the steroid injection I hope you refused,,,doctors love to give people that one as it clears you up for about 2 weeks then the pain sets in again,,the injection will destroy your skins ability to heal itself quickly,,you will bruise easily and the skin will get a lot thinner,,,don`t go there unless it is a last resort,,,My wife ,her father and her older sister all have bad rheumatoid,,only my wife refused the injections after doing a lot of research on them,,,,I suggest you do the same,,,

I don't know exactly what was said to you, but let me tell you my experience. For years, I've had pain in my hips and have been told repeatedly to lose weight and that would help my "arthritis." but nobody has ever considered anything else until recently when I went to an orthopod for pain in my shoulder. I was diagnosed with bursitis. He gave me a shot and I went back a couple of months later and he gave me another shot and now I'm fine. The last time I was there I asked him about possibly having bursitis in my hips and he told me that x-rays should confirm or deny this. He ordered x-rays and they did indeed show that I have bursitis--with very minimal arthritis which he felt would not be the cause of my pain. So he gave me injections in each hip and now I'm fine!!! Ten--twelve years of hip pain and two injections cured me. I would ask the ortho doc to x-ray my hips and see what it shows. Injections beat surgery any time!!!

Good luck.