Hip Pain: 7 Causes, Symptoms & Effective Treatment

The hip joint supports much of your body’s weight during activities like walking, running, and even standing still. In my practice at Daniel da Cruz Physiotherapy in Sandton, it’s a problem I see often among my patients. In fact, it’s also estimated that around 10% of people will experience some form of hip pain in their lifetime.¹

When we talk about hip pain, we’re referring to a wide range of possible issues. It can be caused by wear and tear on the joint, a sports injury, or even problems in other parts of your body, like the back, that cause pain to radiate down into your hip.

If you’ve been feeling stiffness, sharp pain, or aching in your hip, you’re not alone. Today, we’ll explore some common causes of hip pain, how it can affect you, and what you can do about it.

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What is Hip Pain?

Hip pain is any discomfort felt around the hip joint, one of the largest and most important joints in the body. This pain can be felt in the front (anterior), side (lateral), or back (posterior) of the hip and sometimes radiates to areas like the thigh, groin, or lower back.

It can range from a mild ache to a sharp, disabling sensation. Hip pain can appear suddenly from an injury or develop gradually from overuse or chronic conditions like arthritis.

Who Does Hip Pain Affect?

Hip pain is most common in adults, especially those over the age of 60. It’s estimated that about 8% of people over 60 suffer from Hip Osteoarthritis, a leading cause of hip pain.²

However, young and middle-aged adults, particularly athletes, are also at risk due to conditions like Femoroacetabular Impingement (FAI), which is a common cause of hip pain in active individuals.³ This condition can lead to abnormal wear and tear in the hip joint, eventually causing pain and stiffness.

How Common is Hip Pain?

Hip pain is common because the hip joint bears significant weight and stress throughout the day. Each time you walk, run, or jump, your hip joint must manage the pressure of your body weight.

Over time, this stress can wear down the cartilage that cushions the joint, leading to conditions like osteoarthritis. The prevalence of radiographic hip osteoarthritis in the general population ranges from 0.9% to 27%, depending on the study and population group.¹

Older adults are at higher risk due to joint degeneration, while athletes are more likely to develop hip pain from overuse injuries. People who carry excess body weight are also at greater risk because extra weight places more stress on the hips, accelerating wear and tear.⁴

Common Sign and Symptoms of Hip Pain

1. Sharp or aching pain in the groin area – Often related to conditions like osteoarthritis or femoroacetabular impingement (FAI).
2. Pain on the outside of the hip or buttocks – Usually linked to conditions like bursitis or tendon issues.⁶
3. Stiffness, especially in the morning – A typical symptom of hip osteoarthritis, which eases with movement.
4. Difficulty walking or limping – This may occur due to pain or weakness in the hip muscles.
5. Pain that worsens with activity – Walking, running, or standing for long periods can worsen the pain, indicating overuse or joint degeneration.
6. Clicking or popping sounds in the hip – A possible sign of labral tears or snapping hip syndrome, often related to FAI or tendons moving over bony structures.
7. Reduced range of motion – Difficulty bending, standing, or climbing stairs may indicate a restricted range of motion in the hip joint.
8. Pain that radiates down the thigh – Hip pain can sometimes extend down the front or side of the thigh, which is a common symptom of joint issues .
9. Difficulty putting weight on the leg – Severe cases may involve pain when standing or walking, making it hard to bear weight on the affected hip.

How Does Hip Pain Happen?

Wear and Tear

Over time, the cartilage that cushions the hip joint can wear down, causing the bones to rub together. This is a common cause of hip pain, especially as we age or due to overuse in activities like running or heavy lifting.⁴

This wear and tear, known as degeneration, often leads to conditions like osteoarthritis.

Inflammation

Inflammation occurs when the body reacts to injury or irritation. If inflammation persists, it can cause ongoing hip pain, swelling, and stiffness.

Overuse from repeated sports activities without adequate rest can trigger chronic inflammation.¹⁰

Muscle Imbalances

Weak or tight muscles around the hip can create imbalances, pulling unevenly on the joint and leading to strain. This is common in people who sit for extended periods, where the hip flexors tighten, and the gluteal muscles weaken, contributing to hip pain.²

Reduced Range of Motion

As the hip joint degenerates or becomes inflamed, it may lose its full range of motion. This limited movement can place extra strain on muscles, tendons, and ligaments, worsening the pain.⁹

Conditions That Cause Hip Pain

1. Hip Osteoarthritis (OA) – Degeneration of cartilage in the hip, causing groin pain, stiffness, and reduced motion.
2. Deep Gluteal Syndrome – Compression of the sciatic nerve by muscles or tissues deep in the buttock, leading to buttock and groin pain, often worsened by sitting.
3. Femoroacetabular Impingement (FAI) – Abnormal bone growth in the hip joint causing pain, especially in young athletes.
4. Disc Herniation – A herniated disc pressing on nerves, causing referred groin pain, often accompanied by back pain.
5. Hip Labral Tear – Damage to the cartilage surrounding the hip socket, often accompanied by a clicking sensation.
6. Inguinal Hernia – Tissue protruding through the abdominal wall, causing groin pain with movement or coughing.
7. Adductor Muscle Strain – Overstretched or torn inner thigh muscles, causing sharp groin pain.
8. Hip Bursitis – Inflammation of the bursae around the hip, causing pain on the outer hip, which sometimes spreads to the groin.
9. Stress Fracture – Small cracks in the femur or pelvis from overuse, leading to sharp pain during weight-bearing activities.
10. Snapping Hip Syndrome – Tendons snapping over hip structures, causing a clicking sensation and sometimes discomfort.
11. Osteitis Pubis – Inflammation of the pubic symphysis, causing groin pain during repetitive motions like running or kicking.
12. Hip Flexor Strain – Injury to the hip flexor muscles, causing sharp pain during movements like lifting the knee.

Treatment Options for Hip Pain

Exercises for Hip Pain

Exercise therapy focuses on strengthening and stretching the muscles around the hip joint to improve stability and mobility. It is essential for improving function and reducing pain in conditions like osteoarthritis.

• Strengthening exercises help build support around the hip joint.
• Stretching improves flexibility and range of motion.
• Regular, low-impact activities like swimming or cycling can help without stressing the joint.¹

Orthopedic Manual Therapy

Orthopedic manual therapy involves hands-on techniques to mobilize the joints and soft tissues around the hip, aiming to relieve pain and improve movement.

• Joint mobilization restores the range of motion in the hip.
• Manual techniques help reduce stiffness and tension around the joint.²

Myofascial Release

Myofascial release is a hands-on technique targeting fascia (the connective tissue around muscles) to reduce tension and improve mobility.

• Relieves tension in tight muscles, such as the hip flexors.
• Improves flexibility and reduces pain caused by muscle imbalances.³

Laser Therapy

Laser therapy, or low-level laser therapy (LLLT), is a non-invasive treatment that uses light energy to promote healing and reduce inflammation.

• Reduces inflammation and pain in the hip joint.
• Promotes tissue repair and is effective for conditions like osteoarthritis.⁴

Dry Needling

Dry needling involves inserting thin needles into trigger points in the muscles to relieve pain and tension.

• Reduces muscle spasms and releases tension in trigger points.
• Improves range of motion and can alleviate chronic hip pain caused by muscle tightness.⁵

Strapping and Taping

Strapping and taping are used to support and stabilize the hip joint during movement, helping reduce strain and pain.

• Provides additional support to the muscles and joint.
• Helps prevent further injury while allowing for functional movement.⁶

Conclusion

As your physiotherapist, I want you to know that hip pain doesn’t have to control your life. Many people I’ve worked with have overcome hip pain by sticking to their treatment and seeing results.

With treatments like strengthening exercises, manual therapy, and dry needling, we can help ease your pain and restore your mobility. You’re not alone in this—I’m here to guide and support you through every step.

If you ever need help, just reach out.

About the Author

Daniel da Cruz is a licensed physiotherapist in Sandton, Johannesburg, with a strong focus on hip-related conditions such as osteoarthritis, labral tears, and femoroacetabular impingement (FAI).

Through a combination of evidence-based exercise therapy, manual techniques, and patient education, he helps people reduce pain, restore hip mobility, and return to the activities they value most—whether that’s sport, work, or daily life.

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References

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