Hip pain

Hip pain is not just felt in the hip itself. Some people may feel pain in the groin, lower back, or legs or from the muscle of the hip joint itself. This is ‘referred pain’, which is where pain experienced in one area of the body is actually generated in another region. It is important that referred pain is diagnosed correctly. Other related signs of hip problems, that should be reviewed by a doctor include:

• Hip pain that persists beyond a few days
• Hip pain that occurs at night, or while resting
• Not being able to stand in one place for too long
• Swelling of the hip or the thigh area

Groin pain

Pain from the hip joint is often felt in the groin. This may feel like a tightening or throbbing in the inner thigh. Pain over the outside of the hip is usually not caused by a hip joint problem, and is more commonly related to hip bursitis or a trapped nerve in the lower region of the back.

Lower back pain

Lower back pain is one of the most common hip pain symptoms. Pain in the hip can cause trapped nerves and therefore result in lower back pain, which is typically a dull throbbing pain. If it is left untreated it can severely limit mobility.

Leg pain

Leg pain can be caused by problems within the hip joint. For example, groin pain that originates from the hip can travel down to the thigh or knee. This may produce a sensation of leg weakness or tingling. If leg pain persists, it should be medically examined to determine the actual cause.

Stiffness and grinding

Stiffness and grinding in the hip are typically symptoms of hip arthritis, which is a wearing away of the normal smooth cartilage within the hip joint. This can leave bone to grind against bone. Stiffness can also be experienced by patients who have childhood conditions that cause an abnormally shaped hip joint, such as Congenital Hip Dislocations (Dysplasia), or Legg-Calve-Perthes Disease.

Limited motion of the hip

Limited motion of the hip in normal activities can result from a damaged or deformed hip joint. For example, the degenerate bone and subsequent related pain from hip osteoarthritis often makes it painful for a person to carry out the full range of hip movements. Some patients may have trouble bending their hip to put on their socks or shoes, or lifting the leg to walk upstairs.

Walking with a limp

People with hip problems often find they are unable to walk comfortably and may experience sharp pains with each step, causing them to walk with a limp. These symptoms require medical attention to help prevent further problems.

Painful clicking sensation in the hip

Painless clicking sensation in the hip joints is often not associated with any significant medical conditions. However, painful clicking is often due to orthopaedic conditions affecting the tissue within, or just outside the hip joint. The clicking sensation is usually noticed during hip movements and this symptom should be fully assessed by a specialist hip surgeon, for an accurate diagnosis and treatment.