Why Your Hip Hurts While Walking – and When Should You Seek Help?
Hip pain when walking results from hip bursitis, muscle strain, or hip impingement. These conditions can make each step painful and may worsen with continued activity. If the pain becomes severe enough that you cannot put weight through the affected leg, seek medical care today for prompt evaluation and treatment.
At Total Ortho Express, we help identify the cause of your hip pain while walking and provide immediate conservative treatment. If you need hip arthroscopy or another surgical treatment, we can refer you directly to one of our in-house orthopedic specialists for further evaluation and care. Visit us today for same-day care to relieve pain and safely return to your regular routine.
What Are the Common Causes of Hip Pain During Walking?
Hip pain is commonly caused by structural or soft tissue conditions such as hip dysplasia, bursitis, sciatica, or hip impingement. These issues interfere with the coordinated movement of the hip joint, flexor muscles, and surrounding soft tissues. Over time, they may worsen due to repetitive motions, tight muscles, or poor posture that strains the affected leg and limits your range of motion.
Since hip pain depends on the location and severity of the issue, here are some other common conditions that can make your hip hurt while walking:
- Hip bursitis occurs when the fluid-filled sacs that cushion your joint become inflamed, often from repetitive stress or overuse.
- A hip flexor strain or tendinitis can result from tight, overworked muscles or tendons due to overuse.
- Labral tears may cause clicking or locking, while hip impingement can cause groin pain from abnormal bone contact.
- Sciatica can cause pain that travels from the lower back or buttocks toward the hip and leg when a nerve in the lower spine becomes irritated or compressed.
- Hip osteoarthritis can cause a dull ache in the groin, thigh, or buttock, along with stiffness, and is more common in adults over 50.
- Osteonecrosis develops when reduced blood supply damages bone tissue in the hip and can cause progressively worsening hip or groin pain
Here’s how the location of your hip pain may point to the possible cause and appropriate first-line treatment:
| Location and Cause | First-Line Treatment |
|---|---|
| Outer hip-Hip Bursitis | Rest, ice, and anti-inflammatory medication |
| Front hip-Hip Flexor Strain | Rest, ice, gentle stretching |
| Groin/front hip-Hip Impingement | Activity modification, anti-inflammatory medication |
| Groin/side hip-Hip Dysplasia | Activity modification, pain medication |
| Buttock/down the leg-Sciatic Nerve | Activity modification, gentle exercise, and medication |
What Causes Sudden Hip Pain Without an Injury?
Sudden hip pain without an injury can result from bursitis, tendon irritation, inflammatory arthritis, nerve irritation, or inflammation around the hip joint. These conditions can cause symptoms to appear even without a fall or direct trauma. Because each condition affects the hip differently, the location and pattern of your pain can help identify the possible cause.
When Should You Get Urgent Care for Hip Pain?
You should seek urgent care if your hip pain is sudden, severe, or if you are unable to bear weight on the affected leg. These signs may indicate a serious hip injury, a hip fracture, or an infection that requires immediate medical attention. Delaying care can worsen the condition, limit your range of motion, and prolong recovery.
A study published in the Journal of Surgical Research highlights that delayed treatment of hip fractures can increase the risk of complications, including reduced mobility and longer healing times. Acting early improves outcomes and lowers long-term damage. Here are some additional signs that may require urgent care:
- Hip pain lasts longer than a few days
- Sharp pain in the hip or groin
- Redness, warmth, or sudden swelling around the hip joint
- Fever or chills can be a warning sign of infection
- Visible deformity of the hip or leg
- A leg that appears shorter or turned outward
- Sudden loss of movement in the hip
- New numbness or weakness in the affected leg
These symptoms often point to severe conditions like joint dislocation or septic arthritis. For example, being unable to bear weight may indicate a fracture. Sudden, intense pain could result from a labral tear or hip impingement. If you notice redness, swelling, or fever, it may suggest septic arthritis. Acting quickly ensures proper diagnosis and pain relief and reduces the risk of long-term damage. If you’re experiencing these symptoms, walk into Total Ortho Express in Long Island for same-day care.
Can Total Ortho Express Diagnose Hip Fractures?
Yes, the specialists at Total Ortho Express can accurately diagnose hip fractures using advanced imaging and a thorough physical exam. Whether you’re experiencing hip pain after a fall or severe pain without a clear cause, our specialists can quickly diagnose your hip pain and determine the underlying cause.
How Can Imaging Tests Help in Diagnosing Hip Injury?
Imaging tests help diagnose hip injuries by revealing specific problems in bones, joints, and soft tissues. To start, doctors often use X-rays to check for structural abnormalities. If soft-tissue problems are suspected, an MRI provides detailed images of muscles, tendons, and cartilage. Ultrasound helps assess fluid buildup or inflammation in and around the hip joint. Each test provides your doctor with accurate insights to determine whether you need conservative treatments or more advanced options.
Acting early with the right imaging can lead to an accurate diagnosis and faster recovery. In many cases, X-rays alone may not detect minor or hidden fractures. A study found that 46% of patients with suspected hip fractures but negative X-rays actually had subtle fractures visible on MRI. This shows why advanced imaging is essential when X-rays appear normal, but symptoms persist.
What Conservative Treatments Can Help Relieve Pelvic Pain?
Conservative treatments like anti-inflammatory medications and steroid injections are often the first step in managing pelvic or hip discomfort. These approaches aim to ease pressure, reduce swelling, and restore mobility, especially in cases of joint inflammation, muscle overuse, or repetitive stress on the hip joint. Here’s how these treatments may help manage your symptoms:
Steroid Injections
Injections reduce inflammation around the hip joint and offer temporary pain relief, especially in cases of hip bursitis or labral tears. They’re often delivered under ultrasound guidance for accuracy. A 2023 systematic review and meta-analysis found that corticosteroid injections may provide short-term symptom relief for non-arthritic hip-related pain.
NSAIDs
NSAIDs like ibuprofen or naproxen help control stiffness and discomfort. These pain relievers help reduce the pressure around the hip bones and soft tissues, making movement more comfortable. In fact, a 2021 network meta-analysis published in The BMJ found that NSAIDs significantly improved pain and function in patients with hip osteoarthritis compared to placebo (a sugar pill or sham surgery).
Furthermore, to prevent hip pain, stay active, maintain a healthy weight, and add stretching exercises to your routine. Focus on strengthening the glutes and hip flexors to reduce strain on the hip and support better movement. Strengthening your core can also improve pelvic and hip stability while walking. In addition, adjusting your stride may help reduce hip pain during walking.
Are There Specific Exercises to Reduce Hip Flexor Strain?
Yes, certain exercises, such as clamshells, stretches, and glute bridges, can help reduce hip flexor strain by strengthening the hip muscles, improving core flexibility, and easing strain in the tissues surrounding the hip. These exercises support healthier alignment, reduce pressure on the hip flexors, and make it easier to move around comfortably, whether you’re walking or standing for extended periods.
When performed consistently and with proper form, these exercises target the root causes of hip flexor strain, such as tight muscles and weak glutes, while enhancing flexibility and muscle balance. A 2021 review explains that rehabilitation for hip flexor and other soft-tissue hip injuries may include progressive strengthening as part of a structured recovery program. Exercises such as the lunge-and-reach stretch were found to significantly reduce pain and improve flexibility. They also enhanced gluteal muscle activation, primarily when performed consistently as part of a structured rehabilitation or prevention plan.
How Can Heat and Cold Therapy Relieve Hip Pain?
Heat and cold therapy can relieve hip pain while walking by reducing inflammation, easing muscle tension, and promoting circulation. Cold therapy helps numb sharp pain and limit swelling, especially after an acute injury. In contrast, heat therapy helps loosen tight muscles and relaxes surrounding tissues. When used together or alternated, they can accelerate healing and ease discomfort in conditions like hip bursitis, muscle strain, or joint stiffness.
Cold packs are most effective within the first 48 hours of injury to minimize swelling and soothe inflammation around the hip joint or soft tissues. On the other hand, applying a warm compress or heating pad can increase blood flow, reduce muscle spasms, and ease stiffness, making it ideal for chronic hip pain or tight hip flexor muscles.
What If Nonsurgical Treatment Does Not Work?
If nonsurgical treatment does not work, you may need further evaluation by a hip specialist to determine the cause of your ongoing pain. At Total Ortho Express, we can refer you to an in-house hip specialist at Total Orthopedics & Sports Medicine for advanced treatment. The specialist can assess whether a structural hip problem is contributing to your symptoms. If needed, they may recommend surgical options such as hip arthroscopy.
What Are the Risks of Ignoring a Hip Fracture?
Ignoring a hip fracture can lead to serious complications, including chronic pain, reduced mobility, improper bone healing, and long-term joint damage. Without treatment, even a small fracture can worsen over time, affecting your ability to walk and perform daily activities. In older adults, untreated hip fractures can increase the risk of blood clots, infections, and other life-threatening complications.
A hip fracture doesn’t just impact comfort; it can disrupt overall health. Here are some of the most serious risks:
- Increased Risk of Death: Hip fractures, especially in older adults, raise the risk of complications like pneumonia or sepsis, which can be life-threatening if untreated.
- Blood Clots (DVT or PE): Lack of movement may result in clot buildup in the deeper veins of the legs or lungs, which may lead to a pulmonary embolism.
- Infections and Pressure Sores: Extended bed rest can lead to pressure ulcers and infections, such as UTIs or pneumonia, both of which are common after fractures.
- Muscle Loss and Weakness: Without timely treatment and movement, muscles weaken quickly, making recovery harder and increasing the risk of falls.
- Chronic Pain and Poor Healing: Improper healing may result in persistent pain, joint stiffness, or deformity, which often requires more total hip replacement surgery later.
Visit Total Ortho Express for Immediate Hip Pain Diagnosis and Treatment!
Hip pain can interfere with your routine, limit mobility, and often worsen without proper treatment. A mild ache may gradually develop into sharp, persistent pain, making it difficult to climb stairs, stand for long periods, or even get out of bed. Delaying care increases your risk of joint damage, muscle weakness, and a longer, more complex recovery.
At Total Ortho Express, we provide fast, walk-in access to orthopedic specialists who diagnose and treat hip pain on the spot. Whether you’re dealing with inflammation, soft-tissue injury, or an early fracture, we offer precise assessments and targeted care plans, ranging from conservative therapies to advanced treatments. Contact us today at 855-321-6784 or visit us at Syosset, Massapequa, East Meadow, or Deer Park for immediate treatment.
FAQs
Does Hip Dysplasia Affect Walking?
Yes, hip dysplasia can affect walking because the hip socket does not fully support the thighbone, causing uneven joint movement. This may lead to hip or groin pain, limping, and discomfort during activity. Without treatment, abnormal joint stress can contribute to arthritis over time and gradually affect your mobility.
What Are the Risk Factors for Developing Hip Pain?
Risk factors for hip pain include aging, excess weight, previous injuries, rheumatoid arthritis, spinal conditions, and poor posture. These factors can increase stress on the hip joint and surrounding tissues, contributing to pain during movement. Prolonged sitting and unsupportive footwear may also contribute to hip discomfort over time.
Can Walking on Uneven Surfaces Cause Hip Pain?
Yes, walking on uneven ground can cause hip pain by placing greater demands on the muscles that stabilize your hip and pelvis. This may increase strain on the hip and surrounding tissues, particularly if your muscles are weak or tight. To ease hip pain, walk on flat surfaces and wear supportive footwear that improves hip strength and stability.
When Should I Consider Surgery for Hip Pain?
You may consider surgery when persistent hip pain does not improve with nonsurgical treatments and begins to limit walking or daily activities. An examination or imaging may show significant joint damage, a hip labral tear, or structural hip problems. Based on the underlying cause, your orthopedic surgeon may recommend an appropriate surgical procedure.
Can Pelvic Misalignment Trigger Hip Pain?
Yes, pelvic misalignment can contribute to hip pain by changing how forces are distributed across the hip and surrounding muscles. This uneven loading may cause discomfort while walking or standing and can contribute to stiffness or muscle strain. You should practice good posture and perform exercises to improve movement and manage pain.
Can Weight Gain Contribute to Hip Pain While Walking?
Yes, weight gain can contribute to persistent hip pain while walking by increasing stress on the hip joint and surrounding tissues. Over time, this added load can affect how you move and contribute to joint strain or muscle fatigue. Maintaining a healthy weight through regular activity and a balanced diet may help reduce hip discomfort.
