Yes, hip pain can signal something serious, especially if it's sudden and severe after an injury, accompanied by fever, swelling, redness, inability to bear weight, or loss of movement, as it could indicate a fracture, infection (septic arthritis), or nerve issue, requiring immediate medical attention; otherwise, ongoing pain, stiffness, or pain that doesn't improve with rest might point to arthritis, bursitis, or other chronic conditions needing a doctor's diagnosis and treatment plan.
Serious hip pain involves sudden, intense pain after an injury, inability to bear weight or move the leg, significant swelling, deformity, or signs of infection like fever, requiring immediate medical attention (ER). Less severe pain might improve with rest, but see a doctor if pain interferes with daily life (sleep, walking, stairs) or doesn't improve within a couple of weeks.
While it isn't common for the inflamed bursa in your hip to become infected, when it does happen, it's called septic bursitis – and it can be dangerous. See a doctor right away if you have pain and redness at the hip along with fever, chills or nausea.
Red flags for hip pain needing urgent attention include sudden, severe pain after injury, inability to bear weight, significant swelling/redness/warmth, night pain disrupting sleep, fever, unexplained weight loss, night sweats, neurological symptoms (weakness/numbness), or a history of cancer, as these can signal serious issues like fractures, infections, or malignancy, requiring prompt medical evaluation beyond typical muscle soreness.
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.
Some conditions behind chronic hip pain include hip fracture, arthritis, trochanteric bursitis, and avascular necrosis. If you experience pain or discomfort in your hip, seek immediate medical assistance. You can book an appointment with us by contacting us on our website.
Common Symptoms of Hip Bursitis
Pain felt on the inside of the hip or in the groin area typically suggests issues within the hip joint itself. Hip pain on the outer side of the hip, upper thigh or outer buttock typically is related to issues with the muscles, ligaments, tendons or other soft tissues, such as bursal sacs, surrounding the hip joint.
Hip arthritis often feels like a deep ache or sharp pain in the groin, thigh, buttocks, or outer hip, worsening with activity, after rest (especially morning stiffness), and making movement like bending or walking difficult, sometimes accompanied by a grinding (crepitus) or locking sensation.
A hip tumor may cause a person to experience pain, swelling, or fractures. Bone cancer in the hip is rare. Primary bone cancers, which begin in the bone, account for less than 1% of all types of cancer. Bone cancer in the hip may cause pain, but hip pain is usually due to another cause.
Hip Region Conditions Mistaken for Bursitis
The hip area can get several conditions that might seem like bursitis. These include tendonitis, muscle strains, osteoarthritis, and sacroiliac joint dysfunction.
Seek medical care right away
You're not able to move your leg or hip. You can't put weight on the affected leg. Intense pain. Sudden swelling.
Referred pain in the hip is usually due to damage to the lumbar spine or muscle in the lower back. If nerves become damaged in the lumbar spine, this may cause pain in the hip and groin area. Conditions such as osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis can cause referred pain in the hip.
If this is an ongoing problem, you should speak with a specialist. Chronic hip pain that does not improve with rest, medication, or other conservative treatments can be an indication that the hip joint is deteriorating. The pain may also be felt in the groin, buttocks, thigh, or even the knee.
Difficulty walking, climbing stairs, getting in and out of chairs, or performing everyday activities due to hip pain and stiffness could be a sign that your hip joint is deteriorating.
Increased joint surface area occurs over the years, producing additional bone at the joint margins-these tend to look like bone spurs and are called osteophytes. This thickening of bone is called sclerosis of the acetabular roofs and is an early sign of hip osteoarthritis or coxarthrosis.
Because the symptoms of bursitis and arthritis are very similar, it may be hard to differentiate between the two without proper knowledge or a physical health check from a physician.
If the pain is limited to your groin and coincides with ovulation or your period, the cause could be endometriosis or uterine fibroids rather than a problem with the hip. Urological and gastrointestinal issues, such as gastroenteritis and prostate cancer, could also cause pain that's easily mistaken for a hip injury.
Hip bursitis feels like a dull ache or sharp pain on the outer side of the hip and upper thigh, often worsening at night, when lying on the affected side, standing up from sitting, or during activities like walking, climbing stairs, or squatting, sometimes accompanied by tenderness, stiffness, swelling, and a burning sensation that can radiate down the thigh.
One of the quickest ways to relieve hip pain is through the application of ice or heat. For acute injuries or inflammation, applying ice for 15-20 minutes every few hours can help reduce swelling and numb the pain. On the other hand, for chronic pain or stiffness, heat therapy can be more beneficial.
Trochanteric bursitis is a common condition that causes pain and discomfort around the hip joint. It affects a lot of adults, mainly those in their middle to later years. Studies show that this condition gets worse with age, often hitting hardest in the fifth or sixth decade of life.
Swelling: The hip joint may become swollen, red, and warm to the touch. Stiffness: The hip joint may become stiff and difficult to move, and the person may experience a reduced range of motion. Fever: Hip joint infection can cause fever and chills, indicating a systemic infection.
“Sleeping on your back with a pillow under your knees, or on your side with a pillow between your knees, can help align your hips and reduce pain,” says Dr. Shekhman. Adjusting your position is one of the easiest ways to sleep with hip pain and minimize pressure on the joint overnight.