Hip pain doesn’t always announce itself loudly. It might start as stiffness after a long drive or a dull ache that gets worse after a walk. Your hips bear your entire upper body weight, and they’re vulnerable to a wide range of conditions. Knowing what causes hip problems is the first step toward getting the right care before a manageable issue becomes a long-term problem.

Common Causes of Hip Problems

What causes hip problems is rarely just one thing. The hip is a ball-and-socket joint that supports your body’s full upper weight. Several factors can disrupt its function, depending on your age, activity level, and anatomy.

Here are the most well-documented causes:

• Osteoarthritis is one of the top causes of hip problems in adults over 50. According to the Arthritis Foundation, over 32 million adults in the U.S. have osteoarthritis, with the hip among the most affected joints. Cartilage wears down over time, causing bone-on-bone friction and progressive hip pain.
• Labral tears are a frequent cause of anterior hip and groin pain. Patients with labral tears commonly go undiagnosed for an extended period of time, and multiple health care providers often see patients before obtaining a definitive diagnosis. Studies have shown that 22% of athletes with groin pain and 55% of patients with mechanical hip pain of unknown etiology were found to have a labral tear upon further evaluation.
• Trochanteric bursitis affects individuals across different age groups and distribution patterns, affecting approximately 15% of women and 8% of men. This vulnerability can be attributed to increased Q angles in females, leading to tighter iliotibial bands (ITBs). Such tightness strains the bursa during repetitive movements, such as running and jumping.
• Femoroacetabular impingement (FAI) is an increasingly recognized source of hip pain, particularly in the young adult population. This condition is a known risk factor for the development of osteoarthritis of the hip, and it can be treated with non-operative and operative measures.
• Avascular necrosis disrupts blood supply to the femoral head, causing progressive bone breakdown if it’s left untreated.
• Tendinitis from overuse or repetitive strain is common in athletes and active individuals.
• Hip fractures are a serious acute cause of hip pain, especially in older adults with osteoporosis.
• Snapping hip syndrome produces a catching sensation during movement, caused by tendons catching on bony prominences.

Related: Bursitis Treatments: Relieving Pain and Restoring Comfort

Hip pain that doesn’t go away on its own? Our clinics across Virginia and Maryland specialize in finding the root cause, not just masking the pain. Call the nearest RxWellness Spine & Health clinic to speak with a specialist today.

What Are the Symptoms of Hip Problems?

The symptoms of hip problems don’t always appear directly at the joint. Many people notice discomfort in the groin, thigh, or knee first. That’s one reason these issues often go unaddressed longer than they should.

Common symptoms of hip problems include:

• Pain or aching in the groin, outer hip, thigh, or buttocks that worsens with movement
• Stiffness that makes it hard to bend at the hip, exit a car, or put on shoes
• A clicking, locking, or popping sensation during hip movement
• Reduced range of motion on one side, especially during rotation
• Discomfort that worsens after prolonged sitting or during long commutes
• Nighttime hip pain that consistently disrupts sleep

Hip problem symptoms from bursitis often feel like a burning sensation on the outer hip. Symptoms of hip problems from osteoarthritis tend to worsen gradually over months. What causes hip pain can be caused by neurological issues, and nerve compression from the lumbar spine can mimic joint symptoms almost exactly.

Related: How Chiropractic Care Helps Treat Sciatica Pain

Who Is Most at Risk for Hip Problems?

Understanding what causes hip problems also means knowing who’s most vulnerable. Age, obesity, prior joint injury, and family history are leading risk factors for hip conditions.

Key risk factors include:

• Age: Over 50 is the strongest predictor of osteoarthritic hip degeneration from cumulative cartilage wear
• Female sex: Higher prevalence in women is linked to differences in pelvic size, format, and orientation, and their relation to the iliotibial band. Additionally, hip abductor tendon injuries are more frequent in women, affecting roughly 25% of middle-aged women compared to 10% of men, likely due to increased pelvic width.
• Obesity: Johns Hopkins Medicine notes that each extra pound adds roughly four pounds of pressure to the hip joint
• High-impact athletic activity: This elevates the risk of labral tears, FAI, and tendinitis in runners, soccer players, and dancers
• Sedentary lifestyle: This weakens supporting muscles and accelerates cartilage degeneration over time
• Prior joint injury or family history of structural abnormalities: Both of which alter joint mechanics and compound long-term wear

What causes hip problems in a competitive athlete looks very different from what causes hip problems in someone who sits most of the day. Either way, knowing your risk profile is a useful step toward prevention. Our team at RxWellness has earned three consecutive Inc. 5000 rankings, most recently No. 1523 in 2025 with 286% three-year revenue growth, which reflects the growing demand for multidisciplinary, non-surgical care in our communities.

Related: How Chiropractic Care Can Help With Inflammation

When Should You Seek Treatment for Hip Pain?

Not every hip twinge requires an urgent visit. But certain hip problem symptoms mean it’s time to stop waiting and get evaluated by a specialist.

Seek care if:

• Hip pain persists for more than two to three weeks despite rest and over-the-counter medication
• Pain limits walking, climbing stairs, or completing routine tasks
• You notice swelling, warmth, or redness around the hip
• The hip buckles or gives way unexpectedly during weight-bearing activity
• Hip pain follows a fall or direct impact, especially in older adults with osteoporosis
• Nighttime hip pain is consistently disrupting your sleep

Related: Best Pain Relief for Arthritis

Hip pain that’s been building for weeks? Don’t wait for it to limit your daily life further. Request an appointment online and get a personalized evaluation at a location near you.

What Are the Treatment Options for Hip Pain?

Once you know what causes hip problems in your case, treatment can be targeted and effective. Options range from conservative care to advanced orthobiologic therapies.

Common treatment pathways include:

• Physical therapy to rebuild strength, mobility, and neuromuscular control around the hip joint
• Anti-inflammatory medications to reduce acute pain and swelling during flare-ups
• Weight management, which reduces the mechanical load on the joint with every step
• Chiropractic care to restore alignment, reduce nerve interference, and improve joint function
• Hip arthroscopy or total hip replacement when conservative options haven’t produced results

Related: PRP Injections for Joint Pain: A Breakthrough in Pain Management and Healing

Frequently Asked Questions

What causes hip problems in young adults?

Hip problems in young adults most often tie back to FAI, labral tears, and sports-related overuse injuries. These conditions are common in runners, dancers, and soccer players due to repetitive hip flexion and rotation demands. Untreated FAI can lead to early-onset hip arthritis in patients well under 40, which makes early evaluation especially important for younger active adults.

Can hip pain go away on its own?

Mild hip pain from muscle strain or minor overuse often resolves within a few days with rest and over-the-counter medication. Hip pain that persists beyond two to four weeks, or that keeps returning after rest, is unlikely to resolve without identifying the underlying cause. Seeing a provider early gives you a better chance of managing the condition conservatively and avoiding more invasive treatment.

What are the most common symptoms of hip problems?

The most common symptoms of hip problems include pain in the groin, outer hip, thigh, or buttock that worsens with activity or prolonged sitting. Many people also notice joint stiffness, a clicking or popping during movement, and reduced range of motion on the affected side. Hip problem symptoms can also refer pain toward the knee, which sometimes delays diagnosis because it isn’t immediately connected to the hip.

What causes hip pain specifically at night?

Nighttime hip pain most often links to bursitis, osteoarthritis, or avascular necrosis. Lying on one side compresses either the bursa or the joint surface, triggering pain that ranges from a dull ache to a sharp burning sensation. If nighttime hip pain consistently disrupts your sleep, that’s a strong sign that professional evaluation is needed.

Is hip pain always felt directly in the hip?

No, and that’s one of the most clinically important things to know about what causes hip pain. Hip conditions can refer discomfort to the groin, thigh, knee, or lower back, and lumbar spine problems can mimic joint-related symptoms almost exactly. This overlap is why clinical examination combined with imaging studies is essential for an accurate diagnosis.

How do providers diagnose what’s causing hip problems?

Diagnosis typically starts with a physical exam assessing range of motion, muscle strength, and pain response to specific movements. Imaging studies including X-rays, MRI, or CT scans help identify structural problems like labral tears, cartilage damage, or fracture. In some cases, a diagnostic injection of local anesthetic directly into the joint confirms whether the hip is the true source of symptoms.

When should I see a doctor for hip pain?

You should see a doctor if hip pain has persisted for more than two to three weeks, is severe enough to limit daily activity, or comes with swelling, instability, or consistent nighttime pain. Hip pain that follows a fall or injury, particularly in older adults, needs prompt evaluation to rule out fracture before any rehabilitation begins. Earlier evaluation consistently leads to a wider range of treatment options and a shorter, less complicated recovery.

Key Takeaways

• What causes hip problems ranges from osteoarthritis and bursitis to labral tears and structural conditions like FAI
• Symptoms of hip problems include groin pain, stiffness, clicking sensations, and reduced range of motion
• Hip pain that persists beyond two to three weeks warrants a professional evaluation
• Hip problem symptoms don’t always appear at the joint itself; referred pain is common
• Women face higher rates of hip osteoarthritis and trochanteric bursitis due to pelvic anatomy differences
• What causes hip pain is sometimes neurological, not structural, making accurate diagnosis essential
• Early treatment consistently leads to more conservative, less invasive care options
• Non-surgical options like physical therapy and PRP therapy are often effective first-line treatments

Conclusion: What’s Causing Your Hip Pain?

So, what causes hip problems? It’s rarely just one thing. Osteoarthritis, labral tears, bursitis, FAI, and other structural or inflammatory conditions can all be responsible. Many people are dealing with more than one at a time. The symptoms of hip problems are equally varied, which is why what causes hip problems in one person may look completely different in another.

The more important question isn’t only what causes hip pain. It’s when you choose to act on it. The sooner you identify the root of your hip problem symptoms, the more options you’ll have and the better your chances of recovering without surgery.

Ready to find out what’s really going on with your hip? Our team specializes in diagnosing the full range of conditions that cause hip problems, without defaulting to surgery. Schedule your consultation at RxWellness Spine & Health and get a care plan built around your goals.