Hip Pain: Common Causes, Evaluation, and Treatment

Hip pain may come from the joint itself or from muscles, tendons, bursae, the lower back, or nearby nerves. Its location and pattern can help narrow the possibilities, but persistent pain requires an examination for an accurate diagnosis.

Where hip pain is felt can offer clues

Groin or front of the hip: May be associated with the hip joint, including arthritis, labral problems, or impingement.
Outside of the hip: Often involves tendons or the bursa near the greater trochanter.
Buttock or back of the hip: May relate to muscles, the sacroiliac region, or pain referred from the lower back.
Pain after an injury: Falls, collisions, and sudden twisting can cause fractures, strains, or other structural injuries.

Common causes of hip pain

Osteoarthritis can cause gradually increasing pain, stiffness, and reduced mobility. Tendon problems and bursitis may be linked to overuse, changes in activity, or altered movement. Hip impingement and labral injuries can produce catching, clicking, or pain with bending and rotation. In younger athletes, stress injuries and growth-related conditions may also be considered. Pain that starts in the lower back can travel toward the hip and leg.

When to seek urgent care

Seek urgent evaluation after a fall or injury if you cannot bear weight, the leg appears shortened or rotated, pain is severe, or the hip looks deformed. Fever, a hot or swollen joint, rapidly worsening pain, new weakness or numbness, or loss of bladder or bowel control also requires prompt medical attention.

How hip pain is evaluated

A clinician will review the timing, location, and triggers of pain; prior injuries; activity level; and health history. The examination may include walking, hip motion, strength, tenderness, and checks of the back and nerves. X-rays are often the first imaging test when arthritis or a bone injury is suspected. MRI, ultrasound, laboratory testing, or other studies may be used when the findings suggest a different cause.

Established treatment options

Treatment depends on the diagnosis. Initial care may include temporary changes to aggravating activity, appropriate pain medication, and physical therapy to improve mobility, strength, and movement patterns. Weight management can reduce joint load for some people. A clinician may discuss injections for selected conditions, including the expected duration of benefit and possible risks.

Surgery is not the first step for most hip pain. It may be considered for fractures, advanced arthritis, certain impingement or labral problems, or symptoms that remain disabling despite appropriate nonsurgical care. Decisions should reflect the diagnosis, imaging, overall health, goals, and likely benefits and risks.

Questions to ask your clinician

Does the pain appear to come from the hip joint, surrounding tissues, or the back?
What activities are safe while the cause is being evaluated?
Would physical therapy be appropriate, and what should it target?
What are the benefits, limitations, and risks of an injection?
What changes would mean I need a faster follow-up?

Hip pain FAQ

Can hip arthritis pain come and go?

Yes. Symptoms may vary with activity, stiffness, inflammation, and overall joint load. Fluctuating pain does not identify the cause by itself.

Is walking good for hip pain?

Gentle activity may help some conditions, but pain after a fracture, severe flare, or specific injury may require temporary limits. An individualized plan is safer than pushing through worsening pain.

Can back problems feel like hip pain?

Yes. Nerve irritation and other lower-back conditions can cause pain in the buttock, hip region, or leg. Examination helps distinguish referred pain from a primary hip problem.

Sources and further reading

This page is for general education and does not replace an examination or individualized medical advice. Seek professional care for persistent, severe, or worsening symptoms.