The hip most often hurts from wear of the cartilage over the years, and the pain is felt in the groin, the thigh and sometimes the knee.
Where the pain is gives a clue to its source. Pain in the groin, stiffness in the morning and difficulty putting on socks are typical of hip osteoarthritis. Pain on the outside, over the thigh bone, more often comes from the tendons and the bursa. Pain in the buttock that runs down the leg may come from the lower back.
Which page to read
- Pain in the groin and thigh, a stiff joint and walking getting harder: hip osteoarthritis (coxarthrosis).
- The pain starts in the lower back and runs down the back of the leg: sciatica.
When to start with a consultation
If you’re not sure whether the pain comes from the joint or the lower back, start with a consultation. Kaloyan will check both. Sudden pain in the groin after a fall, especially in an older person, is a reason to see a doctor first.