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Professor. Venu Kavarthapu – Lower Limb Specialist
Hip pain in young athletes, particularly those aged 17-21 and transitioning into higher-level sport, is something we’re seeing far more frequently.
This age group often sits at a turning point: training becomes more intense, competition increases, and many are pushing towards elite pathways.
Unfortunately, this is also when hip problems can begin to surface.
There isn’t a single cause. Instead, it’s a combination of factors.
One of the biggest is early and intense specialisation in sport. Many athletes are training year-round, often in a single sport, without enough variation or recovery. Over time, this repetitive loading can stress the hip joint.
There’s also increasing awareness and diagnosis of conditions like femoroacetabular impingement (FAI). While this has always existed, we’re now better at recognising it.
However, it’s important to note that not all hip pain in young athletes is FAI, despite what imaging might suggest.
Hip and groin pain can come from several areas.
Joint-related pain, such as FAI or labral irritation, tends to feel deep in the groin and is often worse with movements like squatting or twisting.
Muscle and tendon-related pain, particularly involving the adductors or hip flexors, is also very common, especially in sports involving sprinting, kicking, or rapid changes of direction.
Sometimes, pain can even come from the lower back, making diagnosis more complex.
One of the biggest challenges for both patients and parents is interpreting MRI findings.
Changes associated with FAI are actually quite common in people without pain. Studies have shown that a significant proportion of young athletes have these features on scans but no symptoms at all.
This means that an MRI doesn’t always provide a clear answer, and treatment decisions should never be based on imaging alone.
While some aches and pains are part of sport, certain symptoms should prompt further assessment:
Most young athletes with hip pain do not need surgery.
Treatment usually focuses on:
In some cases, injections or further investigations may be helpful, particularly if the diagnosis is unclear.
For parents, one of the most important roles is helping young athletes balance ambition with long-term health.
Encouraging recovery, cross-training, and early assessment of persistent pain can make a huge difference, not just in performance, but in preventing long-term problems.
Hip pain in young athletes is increasingly common, but it’s rarely straightforward. A careful, individualised approach is key, and in most cases, the outcome is very positive with the right management.
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