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Hip

This page provides you with information and self-help advice for managing musculoskeletal hip problems.

Hip pain is common, especially as you get older. There are things you can do to ease the pain. But sometimes it can be something serious.

When to speak to a health professional

Non-urgent advice: see a GP if:

  • hip pain is stopping you doing normal activities or affecting your sleep
  • the pain is getting worse or keeps coming back
  • the pain has not improved after treating it at home for 2 weeks
  • you have hip stiffness for more than 30 minutes after waking up.

Urgent advice: ask for an urgent GP appointment or get help from NHS 111 (online/call) if:

  • you have severe hip pain that started suddenly but you've not had a fall or injured your hip
  • your hip is swollen and feels hot
  • the skin around your hip has changed colour
  • you have hip pain, feel unwell and have a high temperature (or feel hot, cold or shivery).

Immediate action required: call 999 or go to A&E (do not drive yourself, ask someone to drive you or call for an ambulance and bring any medicines you take with you) if:

  • you have severe hip pain after a fall or injury
  • you're unable to walk or put weight on your leg
  • you have any tingling or loss of feeling in your hip or leg after an injury.

Self help and recovery

There are lots of possible causes of hip pain. It might be caused by a sudden injury or a longer-lasting problem such as arthritis. Do not try to diagnose the cause of the pain yourself.

Symptoms

Possible cause

Severe pain and unable to walk after a fall or injury

Hip fracture

Pain, swelling or bruising after intense or repetitive exercise

Sprain or strain, or tendonitis

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 usually in multiple joints)

Rheumatoid arthritis

Hot, swollen hip and a high temperature (or feeling hot, cold or shivery)

Joint infection (septic arthritis)

Pain that may spread to your upper leg (thigh) and may feel worse when moving or lying or your side

Lateral hip pain

There are things you can do to help ease hip pain.

Do

  • try to avoid putting too much strain on your hip – it's best to keep moving if you can, but try not to overdo things
  • put an ice pack (or bag of frozen peas) in a towel on the painful area for up to 20 minutes every 2 to 3 hours
  • use painkillers such as paracetamol or ibuprofen gel (or ibuprofen tablets if needed)
  • wear comfortable, shock-absorbing shoes with a soft soletry to lose weight if you're overweight
  • try gentle hip stretching exercises
  • Sometimes heat may be helpful as well (hot water bottle or heat pack) – please make sure the temperature is appropriate and comfortable. Never put extremely hot/burning/scalding objects or liquids on your skin, especially not around genitals.

Don’t

  • do not carry anything heavy
  • do not sit in low chairs – this can put extra pressure on your hips.

You can make use of the following exercises where appropriate:

Treatment for hip pain depends on what is causing it.

A GP might:

  • prescribe stronger painkillers
  • give you some simple exercises to try
  • refer you for physiotherapy for more help with exercises and stretches to ease the pain
  • refer you for occupational therapy – an occupational therapist can help with things to make your life easier, such as walking sticks or walking aids
  • refer you to a specialist – the specialist may do a scan and discuss treatments such as steroid injections or surgery

Some people with pain caused by a damaged hip joint may eventually need a hip replacement if other treatments do not help.

If you are considering hip replacement surgery, please visit this decision tool.
 

There are many steps you can take at home to manage your hip pain. 

Below are a string of resources, backed by research, that are designed to support you in taking that action and helping you to ease your pain.

The resources contain information about the nature of your condition, practical advice for managing it and simple exercises you can do in your home to aid your recovery.

The advice has been compiled by NHS England, the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy, Versus Arthritis, Public Health England and the Arthritis and Musculoskeletal Alliance (ARMA).

Resources for hip pain

The above self-management exercises can help you to manage your condition at home. The majority of musculoskeletal conditions get better within six to eight weeks although sometimes they can persist for longer but this doesn’t mean there is something seriously wrong.

However, rarely, musculoskeletal symptoms can be caused by something more serious and it is important for you to know when to seek help. If you experience any of the following you should seek the advice of you GP.

  • the pain you are experiencing is getting worse rather than better despite following the self-management guidance above for the condition in the time frame expected
  • symptoms have not been significantly helped by a trial of medication as expected
  • you feel unwell and suffer symptom such as fever, night sweats or weight loss
  • you experience pain at night, possibly worse than during the day that prevents you from sleeping due to increasing pain and/or difficulty lying flat
  • you experience a change in your ability to walk including balance problems or weakness/heaviness in your legs
  • you develop a hot and swollen joint for no apparent reason
  • early morning stiffness, lasting for longer than 30 minutes
  • new on-set severe headache.

 

When should you self refer?

Hip pain will often settle naturally in time with little or no help, although occasionally you may need some extra help. Most people do not need further treatment or investigations, and your physiotherapist is ideally placed to advise if you do. If the above self-help information is not improving your symptoms within 6-8 weeks or if your symptoms are getting worse, then see a healthcare professional. To do this, you will need to fill in our self referral form.

Please find below information on hip conditions and some other useful information: 

The information on this page is adapted from: https://www.nhs.uk/symptoms/hip-pain/. Please note: This information is not a replacement for professional help but may aid you and any further information or advice given to you by a medical professional. If you are accessing this site for self-help information in the absence of professional advice, please be aware that the advice and/or exercises may not be suitable for you. If you have any concerns or in the event of any problems, please seek professional advice.

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