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.
Hip pain may be caused by arthritis, injuries or other problems.
If your hip pain is minor, you may not need to see a healthcare professional. You can try these self-care tips to relieve discomfort:
- Rest. Limit activities that involve bending at the hip or putting direct pressure on it. Try not to sleep on the affected side. And try not to sit for long periods.
- Pain relievers. Pain medicines you can buy without a prescription, such as acetaminophen (Tylenol, others), ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB, others) and naproxen sodium (Aleve), may help ease hip pain. Creams, gels or patches that contain pain-relieving ingredients, such as diclofenac, lidocaine or capsaicin, can be applied directly to the skin over the painful area.
- Ice. Apply an ice pack wrapped in a towel to the hip to lessen inflammation.
- Heat and gentle stretching. A warm bath or shower may help relax muscles and prepare them for gentle stretching exercises that may lessen pain.
If self-care treatments don't help, make an appointment with your healthcare team.
Seek medical care right away
If you've injured your hip and you have any of the following symptoms, seek medical care right away:
- A joint that looks misshapen or out of place or your leg seems shorter than usual.
- You're not able to move your leg or hip.
- You can't put weight on the affected leg.
- Intense pain.
- Sudden swelling.
- Fever, chills or a change in skin color on the affected leg.
Show References
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- Hip strains. American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. https://orthoinfo.aaos.org/en/diseases--conditions/hip-strains. Accessed April 30, 2023.
- American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. https://orthoinfo.aaos.org/en/diseases--conditions/hip-bursitis/. Accessed April 30, 2023.
- Sciatica. American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. https://orthoinfo.aaos.org/en/diseases--conditions/sciatica/. Accessed April 30, 2023.
- Medical review (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic. May 12, 2023.
Original article: https://www.mayoclinic.org/symptoms/hip-pain/basics/definition/sym-20050684