Why can osteoarthritis of the hip change a person's gait?

Osteoarthritis of the hip, also known as malum coxae senilis, alters a person's gait primarily due to the physical degradation of the joint and the resulting pain.12

Pathologically, the condition involves the abrasive wearing away of the articular cartilage that cushions the hip joint. As this protective layer deteriorates, the adjacent ends of the bones are reshaped, and newly proliferated bone—known as osteophytes—protrudes from the joint margins. This structural damage, combined with a poor fit between the head of the femur and the pelvic socket (the acetabulum), creates significant mechanical dysfunction.21

Because the hip joint is responsible for bearing weight and facilitating movement, the combination of cartilage loss, bone deformity, and persistent pain forces the individual to adjust their movement patterns to minimize discomfort and compensate for the joint's reduced mobility. Over time, this leads to a noticeable change in gait as the body attempts to adapt to the joint's impaired function.12