People should contact a doctor about hip pain that affects sleep or daily activities or lasts longer than 2 weeks. People with severe pain, difficulty walking, or loss of feeling should seek emergency help.
Various factors and health conditions can cause hip pain, including injury from a fall, a trapped nerve, and arthritis. A person’s symptoms may vary depending on the underlying cause of their hip pain.
According to a 2021 article, hip pain is common among adults of all ages and activity levels.
In some cases, people may be able to manage and relieve hip pain with home care strategies. However, the United Kingdom’s National Health Service suggests that people should contact a doctor about hip pain when it:
- lasts longer than 2 weeks
- affects sleep
- stops someone from completing their usual activities
- worsens or keeps coming back
- causes hip stiffness for 30 minutes after waking up
A 2020 article suggests that hip pain can be challenging to diagnose. A doctor will typically ask about a person’s medical history and symptoms, including the specific part of the hip that is in pain. They may also order various tests, including imaging tests.
When hip pain requires an urgent doctor’s appointment
People may benefit from an urgent doctor’s appointment if they have the following symptoms:
- gradual onset of soreness
- pain after physical activity
- pain after walking long distances
People should call 911 or seek immediate medical care if they experience:
- severe hip pain after a fall or injury
- severe, sudden hip pain that is not due to a known injury
- tingling or numbness in the hip after a fall or injury
- an inability to walk or put weight on the leg
- a swollen hip that feels hot
- skin color changes around the hip
- hip pain and a fever
Severe hip pain may make it difficult to move or sleep. It may be constant and make it challenging to think or talk.
People who have the above symptoms should not try to drive themselves to the emergency room. They should call for an ambulance or ask someone else to drive them.
People should also bring any medications they currently take to the emergency room.
People should only try home remedies if they do not meet the criteria above for speaking with a doctor or seeking emergency care.
People may be able to manage mild, short-term hip pain at home using the following methods:
- avoid putting strain on the hip
- try to continue with gentle exercise and movement
- apply an ice pack or cold compress for up to 20 minutes every few hours
- wear comfortable shoes
- buy over-the-counter (OTC) pain relief
- maintain or achieve a moderate weight
- try gentle hip stretches
If pain worsens or does not go away despite trying the above methods for 2 weeks, people could consider contacting a doctor.
Hip pain treatment and recovery may depend on the underlying cause. Below are a few examples of factors and conditions that may cause hip pain and how a doctor may treat them:
- Strain: A hip strain may occur when someone stretches or tears a muscle in the hip, such as during sports. People may be able to relieve the pain with home treatment or physical therapy.
- Fracture: Hip fractures are
common after a fall, particularly among older adults. Fractures require emergency care. A person may undergo surgery. - Stress fracture: A stress fracture can happen after a lot of physical activity and is
more common among females. - Arthritis: Various types of arthritis, including osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis, can cause hip pain. Treatment may depend on the type of arthritis.
- Sacroiliitis: Sacroiliitis
typically causes pain in the lower back and buttocks, but some people may experience hip pain. Treatment may involve physical therapy and pain relief medications. - Bursitis: Hip bursitis is inflammation of the bursae in the hip. Bursae are small, fluid-filled sacs that help reduce friction between bones and tissues throughout the body. Treatment may involve pain management and physical therapy.
Hip pain can be challenging to diagnose. Doctors will typically start with an X-ray of the hip. If this does not reveal the cause of the pain, they may order other imaging tests, such as an MRI scan. If they suspect an infection, they may order lab tests.
They will also ask about the hip pain, including what part of the hip it affects, if a person has pain anywhere else, and if certain things worsen the pain, such as staying still for too long or flexing the hip at a certain angle.
People should arrange to speak with a doctor if they have hip pain that does not go away after 2 weeks of home management strategies, such as rest, a cold compress, and OTC pain relief.
Severe hip pain or pain that disturbs a person’s sleep or daily life may require an urgent doctor’s visit. People should call 911 or go to the emergency room if they have severe hip pain, loss of feeling, or cannot walk, particularly after a fall or injury.
Treatment for hip pain will depend on the underlying cause but may involve medication, physical therapy, or surgical interventions.