Hip pain causes: Hip pain can creep up on anyone after a long walk, a workout, or even hours at a desk. For some, it’s a dull ache; for others, it’s sharp enough to stop you mid-step.
The challenge is that the hip is a complex joint where bones, cartilage, muscles, and tendons all work together, so that pain can come from many sources. Problems in the lower back or knee can also “refer” pain to the hip, making the true cause harder to spot.
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Some of the common health conditions associated with hip pain include:
Arthritis:
A leading cause of persistent hip pain, especially with age, is osteoarthritis. This refers to the gradual wear of joint cartilage. Some of the symptoms include stiffness in the morning or after sitting, pain that worsens with activity, and sometimes a sense of swelling, grinding, or catching in the joint.
Hip bursitis:
The hip contains small fluid-filled sacs (bursae) that cushion bones and tendons. When these sacs get inflamed, it’s called bursitis. It typically causes sharp pain on the outer side of the hip, which worsens when you lie on that side or climb stairs, and the area is often tender to the touch.
Muscle strain:
Powerful hip muscles like glutes, hamstrings, and hip flexors can be overstretched or torn during sudden moves or heavy activity, especially in athletes. This usually feels like a sharp or pulling pain during movement, discomfort when lifting the leg, and sometimes a clicking or catching sensation with a limited range of motion. Mild swelling or bruising may appear.
Labral tear:
The hip socket has a rim of cartilage called the labrum that cushions and stabilises the joint. When it tears, it can be very painful. You may feel a deep ache or sharp pain at the front of the hip or groin, worse with twisting, turning, or long sitting. Clicking, locking, or a catching sensation inside the joint is common, along with stiffness. You may also experience a reduced range of motion and a feeling that the hip might “give way.” Discomfort can linger even after rest.
Sciatica:
This pain doesn’t start in the hip. It occurs when the sciatic nerve is irritated in the lower back. Symptoms include shooting pain from the back or buttocks down one leg, with possible numbness, tingling, or a burning sensation, usually on one side only.
Hip impingement (FAI):
Extra bone around the ball or socket can pinch the joint during movement, causing friction. People typically report groin pain with activity, stiffness or reduced mobility, and discomfort during sports or after prolonged sitting.
When to see a doctor?
Most hip aches settle with rest and simple home care, but some symptoms need prompt attention. Seek medical help if pain is sudden or severe, follows a fall or accident, is accompanied by swelling, redness, or warmth around the joint, doesn’t improve with rest, or makes walking, standing, or moving the leg difficult.
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Hip pain has many causes, from arthritis to muscle strain. The location and triggers can help point to the source. While mild soreness often eases at home, ongoing or intense pain should be evaluated. Early diagnosis can prevent long-term damage.
