Hip Pain
Why does my hip hurt when I walk, sit, or sleep on my side?
Where you feel it gives us a clue
Groin pain may come from the hip joint. Pain over the outside of the hip may involve the gluteal tendons, which help support your pelvis when you stand on one leg. Buttock pain can also come from the lower back. These patterns overlap, so I compare them with what happens when you move. [1, 2, 3]
What I check in the clinic
If the problem is getting into your car, I’ll ask whether the pain starts when you sit down or when you swing your leg inside. We might look at hip rotation, how you shift weight, and whether the back is involved. If we change your starting position or try an appropriate hands-on technique, we’ll repeat that movement and see what changed. [4]
What progress can look like
For pain on the outside of the hip, we may start by finding ways to make standing, stairs, or sleep more manageable while you build strength. A trial in people with gluteal tendinopathy found better overall improvement with education and exercise than with a steroid injection at one year. We’ll judge progress by what you can do in your own week. [5]
Frequently asked questions
Why does my hip pinch in a low chair but feel fine sitting on a taller stool?
Show me where you feel it and how far into the sit it starts. We can compare seat heights while keeping the rest of the task familiar. That gives us something to weigh alongside the rest of the exam.
Stairs felt easier today. What about sleeping on that side tonight?
I’d track those separately. See whether the first few stairs feel different and whether you wake or change sides as often as usual. Improvement in one gives us something to build on while we keep asking about the other.
Why is getting into the car harder than walking once I’m out?
I’d ask whether lifting the leg, turning, or lowering yourself into the seat is the part that catches. We can compare those pieces in the clinic and decide which change is worth checking on your next normal trip.
What if I can walk farther but still need the rail on the stairs?
That’s a difference worth bringing back. Tell me what the rail helps you with on the stairs. We can use the walk to track one gain and a supported step to understand what still needs attention.
What if my X-ray already shows arthritis?
Exercise can help some people with hip arthritis. A trial of one physical therapy program found no advantage over a sham program, so we check what actually changes for you as you try walking, stairs, or getting out of a seat. [6, 7]
Does a labral tear or hip impingement on a scan explain the pain?
The labrum is a rim of cartilage around the hip socket. Changes on scans can appear in people without symptoms. For hip impingement, the diagnosis considers your symptoms, exam, and imaging together. [8, 9]
Do I need imaging?
Imaging can help when the exam points to a problem that may change your care. If you fall and can’t put weight on that leg, go to the emergency department. [10]
Should I stretch a hip that feels pinched?
If a stretch repeatedly produces the pinch, bring that movement to the evaluation. We can check whether a different range or position feels better and decide whether stretching is worth keeping.
What should I track between visits?
Pick an activity you can compare from week to week, like how far you can walk before limping or whether the stairs are easier the next morning.