What is Hip pain?
Hip pain is a prevalent issue among older people, affecting one in four adults over the age of 60. This discomfort can be severe and limit individuals’ ability to complete activities of daily. There is an array of causes for hip discomfort and sometimes getting a diagnosis can be challenging, but understanding the cause of your pain is vital to receive the correct treatment to help manage your pain and improve your day-to-day function. Hip pain can have various causes, ranging from sudden injury to long-term conditions like arthritis. If you’re experience hip pain as a result of trauma it is advised to seek guidance from your GP or at an A&E unit in more severe cases. Here are some common causes of hip pain and ways to alleviate it.
| Symptoms | Possible cause |
| Pain, swelling or bruising after intense or repetitive exercise | Sprain or strain |
| Over 45 years of age, pain worse when walking and stiffness after moving | Osteoarthritis |
| Pain and stiffness worse after not moving (for example, when you wake up) | Rheumatoid arthritis |
| Hot, swollen hip and a high temperature or feeling hot and shivery | Joint infection |
| Severe pain and unable to walk after a fall or injury | Hip fracture |
Tips for Alleviating Hip Pain
If you are experiencing hip pain, there are several things you can do to help ease your discomfort. Consider the following:
- Try to avoid overstraining your hip but keep moving if you can.
- Place an ice pack or a bag of frozen peas in a towel on the affected area for up to 20 minutes every 2 to 3 hours (as long as you have full sensation around the affected area).
- Use painkillers like paracetamol or ibuprofen gel, or ibuprofen tablets if necessary (discuss with a pharmacist first).
- Wear comfortable shoes with a soft sole that absorb shock.
- Consider losing weight if you’re overweight.
- Try gentle hip stretching exercises.
Things to Avoid
- Do not carry heavy items.
- Do not sit in low chairs as this can cause extra pressure on your hips.
- Try not to twist / turning on a fixed leg, step around using small steps.
When to seek medical advice
Non-urgent advice
Signs that you should see a Physiotherapist about your hip pain include:
- The pain is interfering with your everyday activities or causing sleep disturbance.
- The pain is progressively worsening or recurring frequently.
- No improvement has been observed after 2 weeks of treating the pain at home.
- You experience hip stiffness for more than 30 minutes after waking up.
Urgent advice
Ask for an urgent GP appointment or get help from NHS 111 if:
Sudden and severe hip pain without any fall or injury
- You hip feels hot and is swollen
- Discoloration around the hip area
- General discomfort, high temperature, or chills along with hip pain
You can call 111 or get help from 111 online.
Immediate action required: Call 999 or go to A&E if:
- Severe hip pain following a fall or injury.
- Inability to walk or put weight on your leg
- Tingling or loss of feeling in your hip or leg following an injury
Hip Pain Treatments: What You Need to Know
Hip pain can have a variety of causes, and as a result, treatment depends on the underlying issue. Here are some possible treatment options:
- Stronger painkillers may be prescribed by your GP.
- Simple exercises may be recommended by your GP or a physiotherapist to help alleviate the pain.
- Your GP may refer you for physiotherapy, which can provide additional support with exercises and stretches to ease discomfort.
- Occupational therapy may be recommended by your GP to help make your daily life more manageable. An occupational therapist can assist with things like walking sticks or walking aids.
- If necessary, your GP may refer you to a specialist who can perform a scan and discuss treatments such as steroid injections or surgery.
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