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Hip Pain: What It Really Means, Common Causes & When to Seek Help

Does climbing stairs feel like a daily struggle?
Do you wake up with stiffness in your hip that takes minutes — or hours — to loosen up?

You’re not imagining it.

Hip pain is more than just a sign of aging. It’s a signal from your body — one that may point to wear and tear, overuse, or even an underlying condition. And while hip problems were once thought to affect only older adults, they’re now showing up in active people as young as 35–40, often linked to sports, repetitive motion, or early joint degeneration.

Let’s explore what hip pain really means, the most common causes, and how to protect your mobility — no matter your age.

🧠 What Is Hip Pain?

Hip pain refers to discomfort in or around the hip joint, where the femur (thigh bone) meets the pelvis. Pain can also radiate from nearby areas such as the lower back, groin, or knee.

• Front (groin area): hip joint, labral tear, arthritis

• Side (outer hip): bursitis, tendonitis (e.g., IT band)

• Back (buttock): sciatica, piriformis syndrome, sacroiliac joint issues

• Referred pain: lower back problems (herniated disc)

✅ Identifying the pain location helps narrow down the cause.

🔍 Common Causes of Hip Pain

1. Osteoarthritis (Hip Joint Wear and Tear)

   • Most common cause of chronic hip pain

   • Cartilage breaks down, leading to stiffness, grinding, and pain

   • Worse in the morning or after sitting

   • Often affects people over 50, but can start earlier after injuries

2. Hip Bursitis

   • Inflammation of fluid-filled sacs (bursae) that cushion the hip

   • Triggered by overuse, standing too long, or repetitive motion

   • Pain on the outer hip, worse at night or when lying on the side

3. Labral Tear

   • Tear in the cartilage ring (labrum) of the hip socket

   • Caused by sports or repetitive twisting

   • Symptoms: clicking, catching, stiffness, groin pain

4. Tendinitis (Gluteal or Iliopsoas)

   • Inflammation of tendons around the hip

   • Caused by overuse or sudden increase in activity

   • Pain improves with rest but returns with movement

5. Sciatica & Nerve-Related Pain

   • Compression of the sciatic nerve, often from a herniated disc

   • Pain starts in the lower back, radiates down the leg

   • May cause tingling, numbness, or weakness

6. Hip Flexor Strain

   • Overstretching or tearing muscles that lift the leg

   • Common in athletes or those with tight hip flexors from sitting

   • Sharp pain in the front of the hip

7. Femoroacetabular Impingement (FAI)

   • Abnormal bone growth causes friction in the hip joint

   • May lead to labral tears and early arthritis

   • Often affects young, active adults

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