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Hip Pain: Causes and Treatment Options

September 22, 2023

Topic at a Glance

  • The hip is a ball-and-socket joint cushioned by cartilage, and hip pain is often felt in the groin or over the hip joint.
  • Common causes include arthritis, tendonitis, bursitis, femoral or inguinal hernias, fractures, labral tears, and back problems such as sciatica.
  • Osteoporosis can make hip fractures more likely.
  • Depending on the diagnosis, treatment may include steroid injections, nerve blocks, spinal cord stimulation, intrathecal pump therapy, physical therapy, pain medication, or surgery.

The hip is a ball-and-socket joint, which allows for fluid movement of our bodies. Whenever we use the hip, a cushion of cartilage minimizes friction as the hip bone moves in the socket. With age, the cartilage can wear down or get damaged. Muscles and tendons in the hip can tear or become inflamed and injuries from falling or other accidents can cause a break or fracture to the hip. Hip pain is often felt in the groin or over the hip joint, but can be experienced differently by individuals.

Common Causes

  1. Arthritis – Osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis are among the most common causes of hip pain. It is often characterized by pain in the groin or in the front of the thigh. Arthritis of the hip most commonly affects women.
  2. Tendonitis – Tendons, which surround the hip can get inflamed due to overuse, causing pain during movement of the hip joint.
  3. Bursitis– The fluid-filled sac known as bursa lie between the bone, muscles, and tendons, acting like a cushion during movement of the hip joint. These sacs are critical to joint function. If the sac around the hip becomes irritated or inflamed, movement can become difficult and painful. This usually occurs due to repetitive activities that overwork the hip joint.
  4. Hernia – Femoral and inguinal hernias may cause frontal hip pain. Inguinal hernia can occur in pregnant women due to pressure imposed on the abdomen during pregnancy.
  5. Hip fractures and other injuries – Conditions such as osteoporosis can predispose an individual to hip fractures. The outward turning of the toes on the injured side, or difficulty straightening, lifting, or standing on the affected leg may be signs of hip fracture.
  6. Hip labral tear – The ring of cartilage along the outside rim of the hip socket can tear due to trauma or overuse. The labrum secures and cushions the ball at the top of the thighbone within the hip socket. Athletes and people who perform repetitive twisting movements are prone to developing labral tears.
  7. Back Problems – Hip pain can sometimes be caused by issues affecting the back, such as misalignment, hernia, sciatica, and muscle weakness.

Not all hip and pelvis pain is caused directly by issues of the hip joint or tissues surrounding it. In women, a condition known as endometriosis can occur when endometrial tissue appears on the outside of the uterus, causing pain in the pelvis.

Treatment Options

Effective treatment of hip pain begins with a thorough diagnosis by a pain management specialist or other licensed physician. Depending on the diagnosis, treatment options may include:

Pain Management

The pain management specialists at Cayman Neurology and Pain Management use a holistic approach where all potential modalities to alleviate pain are incorporated into a treatment plan throughout a patient’s life. Any changes to patients’ symptoms will be addressed on an ongoing basis. Integrating lifestyle changes with a range of treatment options allows the patient to minimize degeneration and lay the ground for improvement.

If you or a loved one suffers from hip pain, schedule a consultation with our specialists at Cayman Neurology and Pain Management. Call (345) 943-6900 or click the link below to request an appointment.

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FAQs About Hip Pain

What are the signs of a hip fracture?

Signs of a hip fracture may include toes turning outward on the injured side, or trouble straightening, lifting, or standing on the affected leg.

The labrum is a ring of cartilage around the rim of the hip socket that cushions and secures the top of the thighbone. It can tear from trauma or overuse, and athletes and people who make repetitive twisting movements are more prone to it.

Yes. Hip pain can sometimes come from back issues such as misalignment, a herniated disc, sciatica, or muscle weakness.

No. In women, for example, endometriosis can cause pain in the pelvis.