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.
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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.
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.
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.
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:
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 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.
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 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.
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.
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 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.
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.
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.
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.
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:
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.
While the treatment you opt for will depend on your symptoms and the severity of your hip condition, options typically centre on the following:
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.
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.
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.
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:
Access leading experts in solving hip and groin pain by seeking treatment with HCA UK.
Eric went from playing tennis frequently - and playing well - to barely being able to put his socks and shoes on in the morning.
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.
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.