Hip pain: Lots of people have it, but it’s hard to define.
That’s because pain from areas around the hip and even inside the abdomen can show up as pain in the hip. So can problems with the spine or knees. When pain from one area shows up in another, that’s called “referred pain,” and a lot of hip pain is referred.
Whatever the cause, hip pain is more common as you grow older. Over a lifetime, there’s a lot of wear and tear on this strong joint. Women have hip pain more than men, but the reasons aren’t clear.
How do you know what’s causing your hip pain? Read on for help in homing in on what the pain in the hip is all about, what you can do to relieve it and when you should see your health care professional. You may see an orthopedic specialist.
Whether it’s coming from the hip itself or somewhere nearby, hip pain could be caused by:
Figuring out the cause starts with the location.
Pay attention to exactly where the pain seems to be. Is it inside the hip joint? Outside? In the groin? Thigh or buttocks? Does it stay there or radiate down your leg or into your buttock?
If it’s not from a fracture or a serious condition, most hip pain gets better with self-care. If the pain is not sudden or severe, try these steps:
If none of the self-care treatments gives you relief, see a health care professional. A primary care doctor is a good place to start, since the range of underlying problems is so wide.
Here's a resource to help guide you in the type of health care you should seek.
You should see a doctor right away if you fell or your hip gave way suddenly and it hurts to move or stand on the leg — it might be a hip fracture. Pain that shoots down the leg might mean a ruptured disk in the spine. See your doctor if the pain is very bad or gets worse.
To resolve chronic hip pain, an orthopedic specialist may recommend:
If you have any questions about joint pain, see your health care professional. If pain remains chronic, pain management may be an option.
Professional care can help you return to living well.
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