Arthritis & Hip Replacement Joint deterioration can affect every aspect of a person's life. It is common for people to ignore the symptoms of osteoarthritis in its early stages, but as the disease progresses, activities like walking, driving, and standing become challenging, painful, and very difficult. The Hip The hip is a ball-and-socket joint that allows the leg to move in a variety of positions. The joint is lined with a lubricating tissue called cartilage, which cushions the joint as it moves. There are over 100 different kinds of arthritis conditions that can affect the human body, and there are millions or Americans who are affected with arthritis each year. Arthritis can cause pain, stiffness, swelling, and loss of motion in the joint.