Hip pain is a common issue with many different causes. The location of the pain can offer clues about the cause.

Pain felt on the inside of the hip or in the groin area typically suggests issues within the hip joint itself. Hip pain on the outer side of the hip, upper thigh or outer buttock typically is related to issues with the muscles, ligaments, tendons or other soft tissues, such as bursal sacs, surrounding the hip joint.

Hip pain can sometimes be caused by conditions in other parts of the body, such as the lower back. This type of pain is called referred pain.