Hip Pain: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment
Medically reviewed by Sumiran Racherla, MD, Internal Medicine. Last reviewed: October 23, 2026.
What kind of doctor treats Hip Pain?
A primary care doctor can start the workup for hip pain. An orthopedic doctor, a bone and joint specialist, or a rheumatologist, a doctor who treats arthritis, may help next. A direct primary care or concierge doctor can be a first stop for an evaluation and can refer you to a specialist when needed.
What is hip pain?
Hip pain is any pain in or around the hip joint. You may feel it in your groin, thigh, or knee instead of right over the hip. Pain from the hip joint itself is often felt most in the groin. Hip pain is common, especially as you get older. This information is mainly about adults. Hip pain in children is covered separately.
Symptoms
The main symptom is pain in or around the hip. The pattern of your pain can hint at the cause, but do not try to diagnose it yourself.
- Severe pain and being unable to walk after a fall or injury can mean a hip fracture, which is a broken hip bone.
- Pain that is worse when walking, with stiffness after moving, in people over 45 can mean osteoarthritis.
- A hot, swollen hip with a high temperature can mean a joint infection.
- Pain that may spread to the thigh and feel worse when moving or lying on your side can mean bursitis.
Causes and who gets it
Hip pain can come from a sudden injury or a longer-lasting problem such as arthritis. Problems in the bones or cartilage of the hip can cause it, including:
- Hip fractures, which are broken bones, are more common in older people because their bones can be weaker.
- Osteonecrosis of the hip, which is loss of blood supply to the bone.
- Arthritis, which is often felt in the front part of the thigh or groin.
Pain around the hip can also come from a strain of the hamstring, hip flexor, or groin, or from snapping hip syndrome. Pain you feel in the hip can also come from a problem in your back.
How doctors diagnose it
Your provider will do a physical exam with careful attention to your hips, thighs, back, and the way you walk. They will ask where you feel the pain and when and how it started. You may need x-rays of your hip or an MRI scan.
Treatment
Treatment depends on what is causing the pain. Home care can lessen hip pain. Try to avoid activities that make the pain worse. Over-the-counter pain medicines, such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen, may help. Sleep on the side that does not hurt, with a pillow between your legs. A doctor may also suggest physiotherapy, also called physical therapy, for exercises and stretches that ease the pain. Steroid injections can help ease pain in the hip. Some people with a damaged hip joint may eventually need a hip replacement if other treatments do not help.
When to see a doctor
Call 911 or go to the emergency room if you have any of these:
- Sudden hip pain from a serious fall or other injury.
- A leg that looks deformed, badly bruised, or bleeding.
- You cannot move your hip or put any weight on your leg.
- Tingling or loss of feeling in your hip or leg after an injury.
- Worsening hip pain along with trouble urinating or having a bowel movement.
- A hot, swollen hip, or hip pain with a high temperature and feeling generally unwell. These can be signs of a joint infection, which needs urgent medical help and often hospital care.
Ask for an urgent appointment with your provider if you have severe hip pain that started suddenly without a fall. Do the same if hip pain comes with a rash. See your provider if your hip is still painful after 1 week of home care, or if you start limping and have trouble with stairs.
How a direct primary care or concierge doctor fits in
A direct primary care doctor charges a flat monthly fee instead of billing insurance, while a concierge doctor usually charges more and often works alongside insurance. A direct primary care doctor can examine your hip and order x-rays. They can help plan home care and follow-up, and refer you to a specialist or a physical therapist if you need more help.
Common questions
Can hip pain come from my back?
Yes, pain you feel in the hip may reflect a problem in your back instead of the hip itself.
What can I do at home for hip pain?
Home care can lessen hip pain. Try to avoid activities that make the pain worse. Over-the-counter pain medicines, such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen, may also help.
When does hip pain need emergency care?
Hip pain needs emergency care after a serious fall or injury. It also needs emergency care if you cannot move your hip or put weight on your leg. Call 911 or go to the emergency room.
Will I need a hip replacement?
It depends on the cause. Some people with a damaged hip joint may eventually need a hip replacement if other treatments do not help.
Sources
Medical Disclaimer
This content is for general educational and informational purposes only and is not medical advice. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment, and reading it does not create a doctor-patient relationship. Always seek the advice of your physician or another qualified health provider with any questions about a medical condition, and never disregard or delay seeking professional advice because of something you read here. If you think you may have a medical emergency, call 911 (or your local emergency number) immediately.
