Quick Answer
See a doctor if hip pain persists more than 2 weeks, limits walking or daily activities, or occurs with swelling and warmth. Seek immediate care after severe trauma, inability to bear weight, hip deformity, or sudden severe pain with fever.
🚨 Seek Immediate Medical Care If:
- Hip fracture after fall - especially in elderly, cannot bear weight
- Severe trauma from car accident or high-impact injury
- Hip dislocation - visible deformity, leg in abnormal position
- Complete inability to walk or bear any weight
- Signs of infection: Fever with severe hip pain, warmth, redness
- Sudden severe pain in young adults (may be avascular necrosis)
📅 Schedule an Appointment Within Days If:
- • Pain lasting more than 2 weeks despite rest
- • Difficulty walking, climbing stairs, or getting up from sitting
- • Pain radiating to groin or knee
- • Morning stiffness lasting more than 30 minutes
- • Limping or altered gait
- • Swelling in hip or groin area
- • Clicking, catching, or locking sensation in hip
- • Night pain that disrupts sleep
- • Limited range of motion (difficulty putting on shoes/socks)
- • Progressive worsening over weeks
Common Causes of Hip Pain
Arthritis (Most Common in Adults Over 50)
- • Osteoarthritis: Wear-and-tear arthritis, cartilage breakdown
- • Rheumatoid Arthritis: Autoimmune inflammation of joints
- • Post-traumatic Arthritis: After previous hip injury
- • Symptoms: Groin pain, stiffness, difficulty walking
Bursitis & Tendonitis
- • Trochanteric Bursitis: Outside hip pain from inflammation (common in runners)
- • Iliopsoas Bursitis: Front of hip/groin pain
- • Hip Flexor Tendonitis: Pain with lifting leg or climbing stairs
- • IT Band Syndrome: Outer hip to knee pain
Labral Tears & Structural Issues
- • Hip Labral Tear: Cartilage rim damage, clicking/catching
- • Femoroacetabular Impingement (FAI): Abnormal contact between bones
- • Hip Dysplasia: Shallow hip socket, often congenital
- • Snapping Hip Syndrome: Tendon or muscle snapping over bone
Fractures & Serious Conditions
- • Hip Fracture: Common in elderly after falls, requires surgery
- • Stress Fracture: Overuse injury in athletes, subtle crack
- • Avascular Necrosis: Bone death from poor blood supply
- • Septic Arthritis: Joint infection, medical emergency
Hip Pain Location: What It Means
Groin Pain (Front/Inside)
Likely causes: Hip arthritis, labral tear, muscle strain, hernia, FAI
Outer Hip Pain (Side)
Likely causes: Trochanteric bursitis, IT band syndrome, muscle strain
Back Hip Pain (Buttock)
Likely causes: Sciatica, sacroiliac joint pain, piriformis syndrome
Home Treatment for Mild Hip Pain
For mild hip pain without red flags:
- • Rest from aggravating activities: Reduce running, jumping, prolonged standing
- • Ice: 15-20 minutes, 3-4 times daily for first 48-72 hours
- • Heat: After 72 hours, use heat before activity to loosen muscles
- • NSAIDs: Ibuprofen or naproxen to reduce inflammation
- • Gentle stretching: Hip flexor, piriformis, IT band stretches
- • Low-impact activities: Swimming, stationary bike instead of running
- • Avoid crossing legs: Can aggravate hip pain
If no improvement in 2 weeks, schedule an appointment
What Your Doctor Will Check
Physical Examination
- • Gait analysis (how you walk)
- • Range of motion testing
- • FABER test (flexion, abduction, external rotation)
- • Strength testing of hip muscles
- • Check for leg length discrepancy
- • Palpation for tenderness over bursae
Imaging (if needed)
- • X-rays: Arthritis, fractures, bone abnormalities
- • MRI: Labral tears, cartilage damage, soft tissue injuries
- • CT scan: Better bone detail for complex fractures
- • Bone scan: Stress fractures, avascular necrosis
Treatment Options
Conservative Treatment (First Line)
- • Physical therapy: Strengthening hip abductors, core, glutes
- • Weight loss: Reduces stress on hip joint
- • Activity modification: Low-impact exercises
- • Assistive devices: Cane or walker if needed
- • Corticosteroid injections: For bursitis or severe arthritis
- • PRP or viscosupplementation: For arthritis
When Surgery May Be Needed
- • Hip replacement: Severe arthritis affecting quality of life
- • Hip arthroscopy: Labral tears, FAI, loose bodies
- • Hip fracture repair: Pinning or replacement
- • Bursectomy: Chronic bursitis not responding to conservative care
- • Core decompression: For avascular necrosis
Prevention Tips
- • Maintain healthy weight: Every 10 lbs reduces hip stress
- • Strengthen hip muscles: Clamshells, side leg raises, bridges
- • Low-impact exercise: Swimming, cycling, elliptical
- • Proper warm-up: Before sports or exercise
- • Gradual progression: Don't increase mileage/intensity too quickly
- • Good footwear: Supportive shoes with good arch support
- • Avoid repetitive impact: Vary activities, cross-train
- • Fall prevention: For elderly - remove hazards, use assistive devices
Medical Review
Reviewed by: Ricardo Hamilton, MD
Last Updated: November 26, 2025
Sources: American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, American Association of Hip and Knee Surgeons, Mayo Clinic Orthopedic Guidelines