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Hip and pelvis conditions
The hip is the second-largest joint in the body, where the top of your thigh bone moves within the socket of your pelvis. It’s an area which can suffer acute injury or overuse and chronic degeneration.
At HCA we offer:
- Fast access to leading specialists in the treatment of hip pain
- Appointments confirmed within 24 hours and same-day imaging available, if required
- State-of-the-art diagnostic tools and dedicated musculoskeletal radiologists to analyse your hip and pelvis scans
- A plan to get you back to your normal way of life if hip pain is holding you back
About the hip
The hip is a ball-and-socket joint where the top of your femur (thigh bone) is connected to your pelvis (hip bone). The femoral head at the top of your femur is the ball part of the joint which fits into the circular acetabulum socket in your pelvis. The pelvis itself is made up of three bones - the ilium, pubis and ischium - which fuse together during puberty.
Muscles such as the psoas flexors, gluteals, abductors and adductors provide support for the hip’s full range of motion, while tendons and ligaments connect them to the bones. Shock absorption and smooth motion is aided by the labrum, a ring of cartilage that surrounds the hip joint.
Strength and stability through the hips allows us to stand in a balanced way as well as walk, run and jump by supporting our body weight as we move.
About hip, pelvis and groin pain
Muscle and joint pain in the hip may be felt near the surface of the skin or much deeper within the groin. Surface pain might indicate an injury to your muscles, tendons or ligaments, while deeper pain might indicate an issue with bone or cartilage. Pain may also spread into your lower back or upper leg if some hip conditions aren’t treated. Different conditions also present pain in different ways. Some may come with a constant dull ache or you may feel sharp discomfort when you move.
Hip and pelvic symptoms
- Pain in the hip joint, lower back, buttocks or thighs
- Stiffness and a reduced range of motion in the joint, possibly exacerbated by activity or prolonged periods of not moving, such as sleep
- Struggling to put weight through the affected side of the hip joint
- Swelling or bruising accompanying physical discomfort
- Catching, locking or a sensation of instability
If you’ve seen your GP and pain management or physiotherapy have had no effect, our hip specialists can suggest the course of treatment to alleviate your symptoms and get you back to your normal activities.
What causes pain in the hips?
Hip, pelvic and groin pain can stop you from doing the things you enjoy. However, whatever hip condition you have, our specialist consultants can provide swift diagnosis and get you on the road to recovery. Our consultants are experts in all manner of hip conditions:
Hip arthritis
Damage to cartilage can stop the hip from moving smoothly, cause pain in the joint and limit your range of motion. Wear and tear of the hip cartilage, known as osteoarthritis, is common in adults aged 50 years and over.
Hip arthritis can also occur in younger adults and may be associated with inflammatory disease (rheumatoid arthritis), abnormal development of the hip (dysplasia) or as a result of injury (post-traumatic arthritis).
Hip fractures
Hip fractures most frequently occur after falls in patients with weakened bone (osteoporosis). In young and active adults, stress fractures can occur around the hip as a consequence of repetitive impact associated with some forms of physical training.
All hip fractures require prompt diagnosis and may need emergency surgery, depending on the nature of the injury. Our hip consultants will offer you swift access to X-rays and other diagnostics, if required, before advising whether surgery is necessary.
Bursitis
Fluid-filled sacs called bursae provide cushioning in most major joints in the body. If they become inflamed it can cause a persistent dull ache.
This hip condition is typically treated initially with medication, changing your activities, and physical therapy. If those treatments do not help, a specialist may recommend treatments such as injections or shock-wave therapy. In rare cases, surgery may be recommended to remove the affected bursa if conservative treatment is not helping.
Hip dysplasia
Hip dysplasia is a condition where the hip joint does not form properly. The hip socket may be shallow or in severe cases, the femoral head can be dislocated from the socket. Young babies are examined for hip dislocation soon after birth. Babies diagnosed with hip dysplasia are usually treated with a harness, though if diagnosed later, surgery may be required.
Less severe forms of hip dysplasia may not become evident until early adulthood. Hip dysplasia in adults may cause pain or a limp. The pain is typically in the groin and tends to be aggravated by activity and relived by rest. Other symptoms may include catching, popping, or a feeling of instability.
Labral hip tear
The ring of cartilage that surrounds and protects the hip joint can be damaged as a result of sports injuries or conditions such as femoroacetabular impingement (FAI), otherwise known as hip impingement.
Rest, activity modification, physiotherapy and anti-inflammatory medications are recommended in the first instance. It may be unclear if the symptoms are coming from the hip or from the back or abdomen. Under such circumstances, an injection of steroid and anaesthesia may help to confirm the diagnosis and also provide relief. If the above methods do not adequately help symptoms, it may be appropriate to undertake keyhole (arthroscopic) surgery.
Hip impingement
Femoroacetabular impingement (FAI) is a condition where the ball of the hip joint pinches on the rim of the hip socket leading to pain, stiffness and damage to the joint. There are two main forms of FAI;
● Cam impingement is when the head is not perfectly round and doesn't fit the joint.
● Pincer impingement is where extra bone extends beyond the normal joint socket, causing the femur bone to bump into the rim of the socket.
This is a common condition in athletes and dancers, often requiring keyhole surgery to reshape the joints.
Hip muscle strains
Hip flexors and glute muscles play significant roles in your pelvis area. Hip pain may occur when the muscles are overworked and stretched beyond their range of motion. These injuries are categorised by severity in three grades.
1. Grade one: A light strain that heals in weeks. You will likely be able to walk through it.
2. Grade two: A painful injury that may cause a loss of motion in the hip, depending on which muscles are affected.
3. Grade three: A complete muscle rupture that may need surgery to repair. Likely to cause significant pain and discomfort and may be difficult to walk as a result.
Hip tendonitis
Overuse injuries may affect the tendons around the hip. This may result from excessive exercise such as running and can also be associated with health conditions such as diabetes. If tendons are unable to heal from minor injuries sufficiently, it can result in aches and pains brought on by inflammation.
Symptoms of tendonitis are often similar to bursitis and it is not uncommon to experience both conditions at the same time. Rest and pain relief often help ease symptoms through recovery from tendonitis, while physiotherapy may help to strengthen the affected area.
Spinal conditions
Sciatica is caused by irritation or compression of nerves that run down the back and into the legs. The condition may cause pain in the legs and hips that can mimic hip arthritis, though the condition is usually caused by a slipped vertebral disc. Numbness and tingling may also be a symptom. Injections or surgery may be appropriate if symptoms are severe and not helped by other treatments.
Paediatric orthopaedics
We also work with orthopaedic consultants who specialise in paediatric care. Within our network of hospital’s The Portland Hospital is a dedicated children’s facility to help to make the healthcare experience more comfortable for younger children who may be understandably nervous about their treatment.
We can quickly diagnose conditions such as Perthes disease and irritable hip and your child will receive treatment with extra services such as playrooms and sensory settings.
When should I see a doctor about hip and pelvic pain?
Our hip specialists will be able diagnose the cause of your hip pain and discuss what you can expect from various treatment options. Often surgery is not called for initially, and many hip complaints can be effectively managed through lifestyle advice, reassurance and less invasive treatments such as injections, physiotherapy or medications.
Chronic hip pain that stops you from going about your everyday life, perhaps interfering with your ability to enjoy hobbies, affecting your sleep or simply limiting your mobility, is a sign to seek help.
Similarly, if you've tried other methods of relieving your discomfort and they have been unsuccessful, our hip consultants can quickly ascertain whether an underlying hip condition or injury is causing an issue.
If you experience sudden or burning pain in the hip – for example, if you have a fall or are hurt while playing sports – you may require urgent treatment. If you are unable to bear any weight on your leg or have lost feeling in your hip, you should seek emergency care.
When you have your consultation you will be asked several questions about your hip pain and request any necessary tests. Making notes of the following can help you receive the right treatment:
- How your hip pain feels and if it is exacerbated by movement or prolonged rest
- When your pain started and if it was brought on by something specific, such as a fall
- Any other symptoms: loss of balance, no sensation in your leg, swelling
- Any medication or treatment you have already taken to ease your pain
What kind of doctor will I see about my hip condition?
Your initial appointment will be with a consultant who specialises in treating your hip pain symptoms and can recommend the varying courses of treatment available to you.
At various stages of your diagnosis and treatment, you may be seen by an orthopaedic consultant, nursing staff, a consultant musculoskeletal radiologist and physiotherapist.
A rheumatologist will provide advice on inflammatory diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, while orthopaedic trauma surgeons will be available if you have suffered an injury to your hip in a fall or playing sports.
Our consultant finder can match you with the right hip specialists in our Orthopaedics team to discuss your symptoms with. You can also find out more about their experience and where they work by clicking on their profile.
Hip and pelvis treatment options
While the treatment you opt for will depend on your symptoms and the severity of your hip condition, options typically centre on the following:
RICE
The RICE method (rest, ice, compression and elevation) can help manage initial hip pain. Taking time off from physical activities such as sports and exercise may also give your joint time to heal.
Medication
Pain relief and anti-inflammatories may take pressure off your hip and help you go about your daily activities while your symptoms subside over time.
Physiotherapy
Stretches and exercises can help to soothe muscular hip pain as well as strains to tendons or ligaments. This may be recommended alongside periods of rest from strenuous activities and medication.
Surgery
If you're diagnosed with a serious hip condition or other treatment has not helped your symptoms, surgery may be recommended. At HCA UK, you’ll find some of the country's leading specialists in hip pain treatment. We have access to the latest technology in diagnostics and robotic surgery to understand the cause of your hip pain without delay and fix it in the least invasive way possible. Common hip procedures include:
- Hip arthroscopy: This involves a small camera and other instruments being put into your hip via small incisions. Arthroscopy, also known as keyhole surgery, may be used to diagnose and treat a range of different conditions. It may give your surgeon a clearer view of what is causing you hip pain, or be used as a way of performing some operations such as cartilage repair
- Hip impingement surgery: An operation usually done via arthroscopy. For those diagnosed with FAI, a surgeon may perform an operation to reshape the hip joint and ensure it fits smoothly once again
- Hip replacement: If physiotherapy and other conservative treatments have not solved your hip pain symptoms, replacing the joint with a prosthetic may give you an increased quality of life.
- Hip revision: If you have previously undergone a hip replacement, your prosthesis might need to be replaced to ensure you retain all the benefits of your original operation.
- Hip resurfacing: In this procedure the surfaces of the hip joint are replaced, rather than the entire joint. It is typically recommended for younger male patients as a means of avoiding the need for a full hip replacement if the surrounding bone is in good condition.
Access leading experts in solving hip and groin pain by seeking treatment with HCA UK.
Why choose HCA UK for help with pelvis pain and hip conditions?
- All-in-one appointments: Book your appointment with a consultant and have any required diagnostic scans on the same day so you can get on with your life while we work to uncover the source of your hip pain
- Specialists in your hip and pelvic pain symptoms: We'll connect you with a consultant who has experience in dealing with your symptoms and can advise on the best course of treatment
- In-depth diagnostics: Getting the right diagnosis is crucial given that different hip conditions can present similar symptoms. Our facilities are equipped with the latest diagnostic equipment, handled by consultant musculoskeletal radiologists, to provide the full picture
- Leading care: We're ranked number one in London for private orthopaedic care by PHIN (Private Healthcare Information Network) and we see more orthopaedic patients with hip pain than any other private healthcare provider
- Official recognition: All our orthopaedic experts are members of the British Orthopaedic Association (BOA) and operate in accordance with their high standards
- Satisfied patients: We're delighted to report that 97% of our orthopaedic patients have rated us as very good or excellent after receiving treatment and 96% are likely or very likely to recommend us to family and friends for orthopaedic care based on their experiences with us.
How our hip pain treatment can help
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How hip replacement changes after a decade: Eric’s story
Eric went from playing tennis frequently - and playing well - to barely being able to put his socks and shoes on in the morning.
Yvette's story: From back pain to hip replacement surgery
Yvette (54) a journalist from Kent, started experiencing pain in her hip seven years ago in 2015. An ex-national gymnast who had been incredibly active and flexible her whole life, Yvette felt concerned about the growing discomfort impacting her quality of life, and so sought help from her GP.
Request an appointment for hip pain
If you want to understand the causes of your hip pain and discuss potential treatment options, we'll aim to see you within 48 hours of you getting in touch or being referred to us.
We can put you in contact with the right consultant to discuss your symptoms as well as provide additional information on payment options and medical insurance if required.
This content is intended for general information only and does not replace the need for personal advice from a qualified health professional.