Various Causes of Hip Pain
Hip pain is a result of the every-day use of normal activities such as walking or running. These activities can cause an erosion of the cartilage that acts as a buffer between the hip joint and the bone. Although this is a normal part of aging the hip bone can still be damaged by a fall or other trauma.
Additional reasons for hip pain can include hip fractures, bursitis, arthritis, tendonitis, cancers, and muscle or tendon strain. Treatments for hip pain include prescription and non-prescription drugs to reduce the swelling, or drugs prescribed to treat arthritis.
Hip pain is a common complaint that can be caused by a wide variety of problems. The precise location of your hip pain can provide valuable clues about the underlying cause.
Issues within the hip joint itself tend to result in pain on the inside of your hip or your groin. Hip pain on the outside of your hip, upper thigh or outer buttock is usually caused by problems with muscles, ligaments, tendons and other soft tissues that surround your hip joint.
Hip pain can sometimes be caused by diseases in other areas of your body, such as your lower back. This type of pain is called referred pain which can have the following causes:
Arthritis
- Juvenile rheumatoid arthritis
- Osteoarthritis
- Psoriatic arthritis
- Rheumatoid arthritis
- Septic arthritis
Injuries
- Bursitis
- Dislocation
- Hip fracture
- Hip labral tear
- An inguinal hernia
- Tendinitis
Pinched nerves
- Meralgia paresthetica
- Sacroiliitis
- Sciatica
Cancer
- Advanced (metastatic) cancer that has spread to the bones
- Bone cancer
- Leukemia
You may not need to see a doctor if your hip pain is minor. Try these self-care tips:
- Rest. Avoid repeated bending at the hip and direct pressure on the hip. Try not to sleep on the affected side and avoid prolonged sitting.
- Pain relievers. Over-the-counter pain relievers such as acetaminophen, ibuprofen, and naproxen sodium (Aleve) may help ease your hip pain.
- Ice or heat. Use ice cubes or a bag of frozen vegetables wrapped in a towel to apply cold treatments to your hip. Conversely, a warm bath or shower may help prepare your muscles for stretching exercises that can reduce pain.
If self-care treatments don’t help, make an appointment with your doctor.
Seek immediate medical attention
- A joint that appears deformed
- Inability to move your leg or hip
- Inability to bear weight on the affected leg
- Intense pain
- Sudden swelling
- Any signs of infection (fever, chills, redness)
