Hip Pain
Hip pain can develop from problems within the hip joint itself or from the muscles, tendons, bursae and other structures surrounding it. Because different conditions can cause pain in different locations, understanding where and when the pain occurs can help identify the underlying source.
Understanding the Hip Joint
The hip is one of the body's largest weight-bearing joints. Its ball-and-socket design provides both stability and a wide range of motion. Cartilage helps the bones move smoothly, while muscles, tendons and ligaments provide additional support during walking, standing and everyday activities.
Hip Pain Has Many Possible Causes
Pain may develop from arthritis, injury, inflammation or overuse. In some cases, pain that feels like it is coming from the hip may actually originate in the lower back or another nearby structure. An accurate diagnosis helps determine which treatment is most likely to help.
The Location of Hip Pain Can Provide Important Clues
Pain felt in different areas around the hip can sometimes point toward different structures or conditions.
Pain deep in the groin or front of the hip is often associated with the hip joint itself, including arthritis or other intra-articular conditions.
Pain along the outer hip may involve the bursae, tendons or surrounding muscles and can become worse with walking or lying on the affected side.
Pain in the buttock or posterior hip may arise from muscles, tendons, the sacroiliac region or pain referred from the lower back.
How Hip Problems May Affect Daily Movement
Symptoms vary depending on the underlying condition and can range from mild soreness to pain that significantly affects mobility.
Common Symptoms May Include:
What Can Cause Hip Pain?
Hip pain can arise from joint degeneration, injury or inflammation involving the surrounding soft tissues.
Arthritis
Osteoarthritis and other forms of arthritis can damage cartilage, cause inflammation and make movement of the hip painful and stiff.
Injury or Trauma
Falls, sports injuries, muscle strains and other trauma may injure the joint or surrounding soft tissues and cause sudden hip pain.
Bursitis & Tendon Problems
Inflamed bursae or irritated tendons around the hip can cause tenderness and pain during movement or when lying on the affected side.
Referred Pain
Conditions involving the lumbar spine, sacroiliac joint or nearby nerves can sometimes produce pain that is felt around the hip.
How Hip Pain Is Diagnosed
Identifying the source of hip pain starts with determining where the pain is located, which movements trigger it and whether there has been an injury or gradual change over time.
Your provider will review when symptoms began, their location, previous injuries and activities that affect the pain.
Hip movement, strength, tenderness, walking and range of motion may be assessed.
X-rays, MRI or other imaging may be used to evaluate arthritis, fractures and soft-tissue problems when appropriate.
In selected cases, an image-guided hip injection can help determine whether the hip joint itself is the source of pain.
Treating Hip Pain
Treatment depends on the underlying cause and may range from conservative therapies to image-guided injections or surgical evaluation.
Physical Therapy
Exercises designed to improve mobility, flexibility and strength can help reduce stress on the hip and improve everyday movement.
Medication
Anti-inflammatory or other pain medications may be recommended when appropriate to help reduce discomfort and inflammation.
Hip Joint Injections
Image-guided injections may be used for diagnostic purposes or to deliver medication directly to an inflamed hip joint.
Surgical Evaluation
Severe arthritis, significant joint damage, fractures or other structural problems may require consultation with an orthopedic surgeon.
When Hip Pain Starts Limiting Movement, It Deserves an Evaluation.
Mild soreness after unusual activity may improve with time, but persistent pain, increasing stiffness or difficulty walking can indicate an underlying joint or soft-tissue problem. Sudden severe pain after a fall, inability to bear weight, obvious deformity, fever or significant swelling should be evaluated promptly.
Is Hip Pain Making It Harder to Stay Active?
Schedule a consultation to identify the source of your hip pain and discuss available treatment options.