Hip pain – The causes and how to treat it

There are lots of possible causes for hip pain – ranging from things like too much exercise to longer-term health conditions such as arthritis.

The NHS states that the common causes of hip pain are: 

• Hip fracture: falls or injuries can cause direct trauma to the hip. 
• Sprain, strain or tendonitis: sudden movements or intense and repetitive exercise can result in pain, swelling and bruising at the hip. 
• Osteoarthritis: this can develop in people over 45, resulting in pain when walking or stiffness after moving.
• Rheumatoid arthritis: pain and stiffness in the hip after not moving for a while, for example when you wake up. 
• Joint infection (septic arthritis): causes a hot, swollen him and a high temperature or fever. 
• Bursitis: pain that starts in your hip and moves to your upper leg and can feel worse when moving or lying on your side. ^{Footnote [1]}  

Tendonitis is when a tendon becomes swollen or inflamed after an injury. It can cause pain and stiffness in the affected joint. You can try to treat tendonitis yourself at home. For the first two to three days, resting your hip, applying ice and using a soft brace or elastic bandage may help to ease your symptoms. These supports are available in most pharmacies, where staff may also be able to recommend suitable pain relief, too.

Mild tendonitis symptoms can last for two to three weeks. During this time, it’s important to keep your hip joint gently moving to reduce stiffness. ^{Footnote [2]} Modifying your activities and following a progressive strengthening programme can also help improve function and support your recovery.

It’s likely that you’ll know or have heard of people with arthritis, which is the general term for inflammation of the joints. Osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis are the most common types and are often the cause of longer-term hip pain.

Osteoarthritis

This is the most common type of arthritis and occurs when the protective cartilage that lines the joint gets thinner over time. The tendons and ligaments then have to work harder, which causes swelling.  

Rheumatoid arthritis

This is an autoimmune disorder where your immune system mistakenly attacks the affected joints. It can lead to pain and swelling.

Your symptoms will depend on the type of arthritis you have. It’s important to get the right diagnosis if you’re experiencing joint pain, stiffness, inflammation, restricted mobility and weakness. You may need to consider visiting your GP. ^{Footnote [3]}  

Another cause of pain in your hip is trochanteric bursitis. It’s a condition where the bursa – a fluid-filled sac located near your hip joint – becomes inflamed. ^{Footnote [4]} It acts as a cushion between bones and soft tissue.

It can become swollen and cause pain on the outside of your hip, particularly when standing, walking or running, or when lying on the affected side. If you’re experiencing swelling or a warm feeling around your hip, it could be a sign of trochanteric bursitis.^{Footnote [5]}

If you do experience this type of hip pain, seeing a physiotherapist is recommended. They’ll assess your pain and develop a personal rehabilitation programme to support your recovery. This can include progressive strengthening exercises, as well as how to modify your daily activities. They might also help you in strengthen the supporting areas of your body, such as your lower limbs and core.

Call 111 for immediate advice if you have severe, sudden hip pain but you haven’t had a fall or injury, a high temperature and there’s redness or heat around your hip. These are possible signs of infection.  

Depending on your symptoms, you might be able to treat your hip pain at home. But there are certain symptoms that mean you might need to see your GP - like your pain worsening or not improving after 2 weeks of home treatment. 

The NHS recommends getting help from 111 if you have severe pain that starts suddenly, but isn't from a fall or injury. This along with a swollen hip that's changed colour, or you generally feel unwell with hip pain, might require more urgent treatment. 

If you have a fall or injury to your hip and the pain is severe, or you lose feeling in your hip or leg and unable to walk then you should call 999 or go to A&E.

If you're not sure about the type of treatment you need, go to the NHS website.

How your hip pain is treated depends on the underlying cause and the condition you have. If you've over exercised, then try to keep moving if you can, but don't overdo things. An ice pack or over the counter pain relief might help to ease your hip pain. ^{Footnote [1]} But it's always worth seeing a GP if you're concerned or not sure what's causing your hip pain.

If the source of your hip pain is more complicated, for example you have arthritis, then you’ll need to work closely with healthcare professionals to manage the condition. They might recommend medication and physiotherapy to improve hip function, as well as making relevant lifestyle changes. It might be recommended you see an orthopaedic consultant to discuss surgery, if necessary. 

There are some things you can do to reduce hip pain. Maintaining a healthy weight for example, can help reduce stress on the hip joints, especially in conditions like osteoarthritis.

It's really important to consult with your doctor to determine the cause of your hip pain and follow the most appropriate treatment plan. Self-diagnosis and treatment might mean you miss an underlying cause which could even make your condition worse.

Physiotherapy

Your GP might refer you for physiotherapy as treatment. It’s highly effective in managing and alleviating hip pain. You can read our guide to physiotherapy for more information. 

Physiotherapists are experts in managing musculoskeletal conditions and will help you understand your condition. Your treatment might include exercises, lifestyle changes and modified activities – like walking or climbing the stairs – until you are fully recovered. 

Hip replacement

Sometimes, a last resort, you may be recommended for a hip replacement. For example, if you have osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis and haven’t responded to the non-surgical treatments, or you if have fractured your hip. It’s a surgical procedure to replace your damaged hip joint with an artificial joint, called a prosthesis.

A new prosthetic hip joint is designed to replicate the natural movement and function of your previously healthy hip. You’ll then be supported through a period of rehabilitation and physiotherapy to regain strength and mobility. From then you can look forward to reduced hip pain and get back to doing the things you loved before.

If you have health insurance in place and you develop hip pain you could be able to get it looked at quickly and easily.

The first step is to get a referral from your GP, or through our Digital GP app^.  Then you can make a claim through MyAviva, over the phone, or online.

If your claim meets the terms of your policy, we’ll pay for the treatment directly. Just make sure you tell us about any further tests or treatment, or if your hospital or specialist changes.

You could also be given access to our hip treatment network - a specially selected group of experts offering quality treatment for the hip - at no extra cost and with two years of aftercare included.

^ This service is non-contractual and can be withdrawn or amended by Aviva at any time.