As a general rule, the pain from an arthritic hip is felt in the groin area. The pain can also be felt in the buttock, outer aspect of the thigh or in the knee. Often patients will also complain of difficulty putting on shoes/ socks and have difficulty getting in and out of cars. X rays of arthritic hips show loss of the cartilage in the joint, cysts are often visible and spherical appearance of the ball of the hip joint may become distorted.