Hip Pain Symptoms

The symptoms of hip pain range from infrequent and annoying to severe and debilitating. The specific symptoms depend on the underlying cause(s).

Common Hip Pain Symptoms and Signs

Hip pain may affect one or both hip joints. Common symptoms include some combination of:

• Sharp pain or dull ache. Pain is often the first symptom of a hip problem and is felt as a persistent, dull ache or a sudden, sharp pain.
  • Hip pain usually flares with activities such as walking, running, or standing, and gets better with rest
  • The pain may radiate into the lower back, buttocks, or knee
• Stiffness: Inability to move the hip joint through its full range of motion
• Weakness: A sensation of instability or weakness in the hip and groin or a sensation of “loose hips” that may make activities such as walking, running, standing, or kicking difficult or impossible

• Difficulty sitting for long periods: Prolonged sitting causes the pain to start or makes the existing pain worse
• Difficulty walking: Pain and instability in one or both hips make walking difficult, and people tend to limp on the affected side or walk slower than usual
• Snapping hip: An unusual sensation or sound is felt inside the hip joint, in front of the hip, or on the outer side of the hip during joint movements. See 3 Types of Snapping Hip Syndrome
• Swelling or bruising: Typically seen around the hip joint area or inner thigh (groin), and is tender to touch
• Muscle spasms and/or cramping: Painful spasms may be felt around the hip joint or in the thigh
• Difficulty lying on the affected side: Pressure on the hip joint increases the pain when lying on the affected side

Sometimes, people with hip pain cup their hand around the side of the hip with the thumb and index finger (like a C-shaped sign) to pinpoint the location of pain. This type of pain typically indicates a problem inside the hip joint, such as a hip labral tear or hip impingement.