Hip pain can mean a lot of different things, depending on where the pain is, how it started, and who’s experiencing it. I’ll break it down in a clear, practical way so you can make sense of it.
What Hip Pain Can Mean (By Location)
1. Front of the Hip / Groin Pain
Often linked to joint or muscle issues:
- Hip osteoarthritis – common with aging; stiffness, worse in the morning
- Hip flexor strain – sharp pain when lifting the leg
- Labral tear – deep ache, clicking or catching feeling
- Hernia – pain worsens with coughing or lifting
👉 This area usually points to a problem inside the hip joint.
2. Side of the Hip Pain
Very common, especially in adults over 40:
- Bursitis – pain when lying on that side
- Gluteal tendonitis – pain walking or climbing stairs
- IT band issues
👉 Often worsens at night or when standing up from a chair.
3. Back of the Hip / Buttock Pain
Often not the hip joint itself:
- Sciatica – burning or shooting pain down the leg
- Piriformis syndrome
- Lower back problems (disc issues)
👉 Pain may radiate down the thigh or leg.
Other Important Clues
Sudden Hip Pain
- Fall or injury → possible fracture (especially in older adults)
- Sharp pain during movement → muscle or tendon tear
🚨 Urgent care needed if you can’t bear weight.
Hip Pain With Stiffness
- Arthritis
- Worse in the morning or after sitting
Hip Pain at Night
- Bursitis
- Arthritis
- Sleeping position issues
Hip Pain With Fever or Redness
🚨 Could signal infection—seek medical help immediately.
When to See a Doctor
You should get checked if:
- Pain lasts more than 1–2 weeks
- Pain is getting worse
- You have limited movement
- Pain follows a fall or accident
- Pain spreads down the leg with numbness
What You Can Do Now
- Rest and avoid painful movements
- Ice for sharp pain, heat for stiffness
- Gentle stretching (if not painful)
- Maintain healthy weight
- Wear supportive footwear
💡 Bottom line:
Hip pain doesn’t always mean a hip problem—it can come from muscles, tendons, nerves, or even the lower back. Where the pain is felt is the biggest clue.
If you want, tell me:
- Where exactly the pain is
- Your age
- When it hurts most
I can help you narrow down the likely cause and what to do next.
