Hip and groin

Hip pain and discomfort can affect your everyday life, but you don’t have to suffer in silence – there are a wide range of treatments available.

The hip joint is the largest joint in our body. You can experience problems that can come with age and trauma causing symptoms such as aches, pains and swelling. But the pain is not always in the hip as some people experience hip-related pain in the thigh or groin too.

What are the causes of hip pain?

Osteoarthritis is the most common form of arthritis and cause of hip pain, usually affecting people over 50. Hip pain can also be caused by trauma from an injury, including bone fracture.

How can hip pain be treated?

Treatments for hip pain depend on the underlying cause. Many cases of hip pain will go away with time and can be managed with rest and over-the-counter painkillers. However, if pain is ongoing you should see your GP who may refer you for treatment or surgery. The most common hip surgery is a hip replacement, which is when the hip joint is replaced by an implant. It can be performed as a total replacement or a half replacement. A hip revision, or repeat hip replacement, involves replacing a patient’s artificial hip joint if it has become loose, infected or worn out.

Resources:

Gardening after a hip replacement

Groin strain

Hip impingement (FAI)

Lateral hip pain

Osteitis pubis

Osteoarthritis of the hip

Videos

Watch a selection of hip physiotherapy exercises on YouTube below, or download Pocket Physio for free, and get access to a library of hand, hip, foot and knee exercises on your smartphone or tablet.