When to see a doctor

By Mayo Clinic Staff

You may not need to see a health professional if your hip pain is minor. Try these self-care tips:

  • Rest. Avoid repeated bending at the hip and direct pressure on the hip. Try not to sleep on the affected side or sit for long periods of time.
  • Pain relievers. Nonprescription pain relievers such as acetaminophen (Tylenol, others), ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB, others) and naproxen sodium (Aleve) may help ease hip pain. Sometimes nonprescription topical pain relievers such as capsaicin (Capzasin, Zostrix, others) or salicylates (Bengay, Icy Hot, others) are used.
  • Ice or heat. Use ice cubes or a bag of frozen vegetables wrapped in a towel to apply cold treatments to the hip. A warm bath or shower may help prepare your muscles for stretching exercises that can reduce pain.

If self-care treatments don't help, make an appointment with your health care team.

Seek immediate medical attention

Ask someone to drive you to urgent care or the emergency room if your hip pain is caused by an injury and includes any of the following:

  • A joint that appears deformed or out of place or a leg that appears shortened.
  • Inability to move your leg or hip.
  • Inability to bear weight on the affected leg.
  • Intense pain.
  • Sudden swelling.
  • Fever, chills, redness or any other signs of infection.

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Sept. 01, 2023

See also

  1. Avascular necrosis (osteonecrosis)
  2. Baby Hip Instability and Dysplasia
  3. Hemophilia
  4. Hip dysplasia
  5. Hip fracture
  6. Hip labral tear
  7. Paget's disease of bone
  8. Polymyalgia rheumatica
  9. Slipped capital femoral epiphysis
  10. Integrative approaches to treating pain
  11. Nutrition and pain
  12. Pain rehabilitation
  13. Self-care approaches to treating pain