Table 1 Patients' eligibility criteria

1.

Hip OA* according to clinical ACR** criteria

2.

Age > 40 years

3.

Symptomatic disease for at least 6 months prior to enrolment

4.

Radiographic evidence of OA* (Kellgren-Lawrence score ≥ 2)

5.

Persistent pain despite receiving optimal doses of oral pain medication for at least 3 weeks. Pain severity (in rest or on walking) defined as ≥ 3 on an NRS^# (0-10 range, 0 = no pain)

Exclusion criteria:

1.

Inability to understand Dutch questionnaires

2.

Systemic infection

3.

Local infection

4.

Systemic arthritis

5.

Diabetes mellitus

6.

Coagulopathy

7.

Gastric ulcer

8.

Current use of oral corticosteroids, DMARDs^$ or immunosuppressive medication

9.

Allergy to corticosteroids

10.

Anticoagulant therapy (coumarins)

11.

On the waiting list for total hip replacement surgery

12.

IA^## injection into the hip in the previous 6 months

13.

Radiologic signs of osteonecrosis

14.

Participation in other medical trial

15.

Pregnancy or lactating female