Hip pain is a symptom, not a diagnosis, and it can have many possible causes. The location of the pain often provides clues.
Common causes include:
- Arthritis: The most common cause in older adults. Pain is usually in the groin or front of the hip and may be worse after inactivity.
- Muscle or tendon strain: Often occurs after exercise, lifting, or a sudden movement.
- Bursitis: Inflammation of a fluid-filled sac on the outside of the hip, causing pain when lying on that side or walking.
- Tendinitis: Irritation of the tendons around the hip from overuse.
- Sciatica: A pinched nerve in the lower back can cause pain that travels into the hip, buttock, and leg.
- Fracture: More likely after a fall or injury, especially in older adults or people with osteoporosis.
- Less common causes: Hip joint infections, reduced blood supply to the hip bone (avascular necrosis), or inflammatory conditions.
The location of the pain can be helpful:
- Front/groin: Often related to the hip joint itself (such as arthritis).
- Outside of the hip: Often bursitis or tendon problems.
- Buttock or back of the hip: May be due to the lower back or sciatica.
When to seek medical care
See a healthcare professional if the pain:
- Lasts more than a few days or keeps returning.
- Makes it difficult to walk or bear weight.
- Is severe or follows a fall or other injury.
- Is accompanied by fever, redness, swelling, or a warm joint.
- Causes numbness, weakness, or loss of bladder or bowel control (seek urgent medical attention).
What you can do initially
- Rest from activities that worsen the pain.
- Apply ice for the first 24–48 hours after an injury, then consider heat if muscles feel stiff.
- Gentle stretching and gradual return to activity may help if the pain is due to a mild strain.
- Over-the-counter pain relievers may help if they are safe for you to take and you have no medical reason to avoid them.
If you can tell me:
- Where exactly the pain is (groin, outside of the hip, buttock, or thigh),
- Your age,
- Whether it started after an injury, and
- How long you’ve had it,
I can help narrow down the most likely causes.
