Hip Pain

Hip pain is very common, especially as we get older. The good news is there are things you can do to help ease the pain at home. However, sometimes hip pain can be a sign of something more serious that needs urgent medical care.

What Causes Hip Pain?

Hip pain can happen for many different reasons. You might hurt your hip in a sudden accident, or the pain might build up slowly over time. Some common causes include:

• Breaking your hip bone - This causes severe pain and you won't be able to walk
• Pulling muscles or tendons - This often happens after exercising too hard
• Wear and tear of the joint (arthritis) - More common if you're over 45, with pain that gets worse when walking
• Joint swelling (bursitis) - Pain that may spread down your thigh and feels worse when lying on your side
• Joint infection - Your hip feels hot and swollen, and you feel unwell with a high temperature

Remember, it's important not to try to work out what's wrong yourself. Always speak to your GP for proper advice.

When to See Your GP

You should book an appointment with your GP if:

• Hip pain stops you doing normal activities or affects your sleep
• The pain is getting worse or keeps coming back
• Home treatments haven't helped after 2 weeks
• Your hip feels stiff for more than 30 minutes when you wake up

When to Get Urgent Help

Call NHS 111 or ask for an urgent GP appointment if:

• You have severe hip pain that started suddenly, but you haven't fallen or hurt yourself
• Your hip is swollen and feels hot
• The skin around your hip has changed colour
• You have hip pain and feel generally unwell with a high temperature

When to Call 999

Go straight to A&E or call 999 if:

• You have severe hip pain after a fall or injury
• You can't walk or put weight on your leg
• You have tingling or loss of feeling in your hip or leg after an injury

Don't drive yourself to A&E - ask someone to drive you or call an ambulance.

How to Help Hip Pain at Home

There are several things you can do to ease hip pain:

Do:

• Keep moving gently, but don't overdo it
• Put an ice pack wrapped in a towel on the painful area for up to 20 minutes every 2-3 hours
• Take paracetamol or use ibuprofen gel (or ibuprofen tablets if needed)
• Wear comfortable shoes with soft soles that absorb shock
• Try to lose weight if you're overweight
• Do gentle hip stretching exercises

Don't:

• Carry heavy things
• Sit in low chairs as this puts extra pressure on your hips

Treatment Options

Your GP might suggest stronger painkillers, simple exercises, or refer you for physiotherapy. Some people might need to see a specialist who could recommend steroid injections or surgery. In some cases, people with badly damaged hip joints may eventually need a hip replacement.

Many areas now let you refer yourself directly to physiotherapy services without seeing your GP first. Ask at your GP surgery about what's available in your area.

---

Based on NHS.uk guidance. Written by Dr Krishnan Pasupathi, NHS GP.