Osteoarthritis — the most common cause of hip joint pain, particularly with age. Cartilage gradually wears down, producing a deep, aching pain in the groin that's often worse with walking, stairs, or after sitting for a while — frequently described as a dull toothache deep in the joint. Stiffness is common first thing in the morning or after rest, and pain typically builds gradually over months or years rather than appearing suddenly. Management usually starts with activity modification, targeted strengthening, and weight management where relevant, with imaging and further options considered if symptoms don't settle.

Femoroacetabular impingement (FAI) — a hip joint shape some people are born with, where the ball and socket don't glide smoothly and the bones rub or pinch during movement. Common in athletes in sports involving repetitive hip flexion, such as football, hockey, dance, and martial arts, causing groin pain and stiffness that's often worse with deep squatting, prolonged sitting, or twisting movements. A physical examination and imaging usually confirm the diagnosis; treatment ranges from physiotherapy and activity adjustment through to surgery in more significant cases.

Labral tears — the labrum is a ring of cartilage that lines and stabilises the hip socket. It can tear from injury, repetitive twisting movements, or alongside FAI, often causing a catching, clicking, or locking sensation with sharp groin pain during sport or sudden changes of direction. Some tears settle with physiotherapy focused on hip stability; others, particularly in athletes who need full function to return to sport, may need further imaging (such as an MRI arthrogram) and, occasionally, surgical repair.

Trochanteric bursitis — inflammation of the cushioning bursa at the point of the hip. Causes sharp outer-hip pain that can spread down the thigh, often worse at night, when lying on that side, or after prolonged walking, stair climbing, or squatting. It's commonly triggered by repetitive activity like running, cycling, or standing for long periods, and is more common in women and in middle-aged or older adults. Rest, activity modification, and anti-inflammatory measures usually help; a corticosteroid injection may be considered if symptoms persist.

Hip flexor and muscle strains — a sudden overstretch or tear of one of the muscles that lift the leg or stabilise the hip, often occurring during sprinting, kicking, or rapid direction changes in sport. Pain is usually felt at the front of the hip or groin, worsens with resisted movement, and may come with bruising or swelling in more significant strains. Most mild-to-moderate strains settle within 10–14 days of activity modification, ice, and a graded return to sport; severe tears with complete rupture take longer and, occasionally, need surgical repair.

Iliotibial (IT) band syndrome — an overuse injury common in runners and cyclists, where the IT band, a tendon running along the outer thigh, becomes tight and rubs over the hip or knee with repetitive bending. It typically causes aching or burning on the outer hip or knee that worsens with activity and eases with rest, and can contribute to trochanteric bursitis if left untreated. Addressing training load, footwear, and hip and glute strength are usually central to recovery.

Snapping hip — a snapping or popping sensation, sometimes audible, as a tendon moves over a bony part of the hip during movement such as standing up or swinging the leg. It's usually painless and harmless on its own, though in some cases it becomes uncomfortable, and repeated snapping can eventually irritate the area and lead to bursitis. Stretching and strengthening the surrounding muscles is usually the first line of management.

Not all "hip pain" starts in the hip. Sacroiliac joint dysfunction, an issue with the joint connecting the spine and pelvis, is commonly felt in the low back and buttock but can extend into the thigh. Sciatica, caused by irritation of the sciatic nerve in the lower back, can similarly radiate pain, numbness, or tingling down through the buttock and leg. Both are usually managed with targeted physiotherapy and activity guidance rather than treatment aimed at the hip joint itself.

Stress fractures, though less common, can occur in athletes who rapidly increase training volume or intensity, particularly runners. They cause a deep, activity-related pain that builds gradually, doesn't ease with the rest a typical strain would, and can worsen with continued loading — this pattern is an important flag, since continuing to train through a stress fracture risks it progressing to a full fracture. Because the possible causes of hip pain are so varied, an accurate diagnosis usually needs a proper clinical assessment rather than guesswork.

When to See a Doctor

Given how many structures can be involved, book an appointment with one of our sports and exercise physicians if your hip pain:

A sports and exercise physician can properly examine the hip, arrange imaging where needed, and identify exactly which structure is involved, so treatment is targeted rather than trial and error.

Not Sure What's Causing Your Hip Pain?

With so many possible causes, an accurate diagnosis is the fastest route to the right treatment.