Where the hip hurts tells us a great deal, and it is the first question worth answering, because three common problems present in three different places.
Pain in the groin and the front of the hip, often felt when putting on socks or getting out of a car, points towards the joint itself, whether that is impingement in a younger hip or osteoarthritis in an older one. Pain on the outside of the hip, sore to lie on at night and worse going upstairs, is usually gluteal tendinopathy rather than the joint at all. Pain deep in the buttock is often referred from the lower back.
Treating the wrong one of those three is the most common reason hip pain does not improve.
More information
Pain on the outside of the hip
This is worth singling out because it is so often mismanaged. Gluteal tendinopathy responds to graded strengthening of the hip muscles, and responds badly to the two things people instinctively do, which are stretching it aggressively and lying on that side with the leg dropped across the body. It also responds badly to steroid injections in the longer term compared with exercise.
Hip osteoarthritis
Exercise is a core treatment recommended by NICE for osteoarthritis regardless of age or severity, and it reduces pain and improves function. It does not wear the joint out further. Where the joint is severely affected and quality of life is poor despite good conservative treatment, a hip replacement is an excellent operation and we will write to your GP.
What treatment involves
A proper diagnosis, treatment to settle symptoms, and a strength programme aimed at whichever of the three problems you actually have.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does where my hip hurts matter?
Why does the outside of my hip hurt when I lie on it?
Will exercise wear out an arthritic hip?
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