Help Me Decide

There are lots of things that make some people more likely to get one hip condition over another. A healthcare professional will be able to help to diagnose your condition based on these “risk factors” and based on your symptoms. Some clues may also be found below.

Hip Osteoarthritis

What does it feel like? (Some or all of these may be present)
  • Hip pain or soreness that is gradual in onset and worsens with activity.
  • Pain is usually felt in the outer side of the hip, groin (inner thigh), buttock and down the thigh.
  • Stiffness in the morning or after resting/staying in a position for a long time but goes away after some movement.
  • Grinding, clicking or cracking noises with joint movement (also known as crepitus).
    • Who is more likely to get it?
  • Those over 45 years of age (risk increases with higher age).
  • People with overweight or obesity .
  • People who have previously had a hip joint injury.
  • People who have worked in heavy manual labour jobs.
  • Family / genetic link.
    • Go to Hip Osteoarthritis Page

    LATERAL HIP PAIN (or Gluteal Tendinopathy or Hip Bursitis)

    What does it feel like? (Some or all of these may be present)
  • Pain or deep ache over the outside of your hip.
  • Pain can be triggered by activities that load or compress the soft tissues on the side of the hip.
  • Pain walking uphill or upstairs.
  • Pain rising from a chair and on the first few steps after rest.
  • Pain sitting in a low seat or sitting with legs crossed.
  • Pain standing on one leg.
  • Pain lying on the painful side. Lying on the opposite hip can also cause discomfort by stretching and compressing the tendon.
    • Who is more likely to get it?
  • Those over 40 years of age.
  • People with overweight or obesity.
  • People with an inactive lifestyle or weaker hip muscles.
  • Postmenopausal women.
  • Those with existing lower back pain or hip osteoarthritis.
    • Go to Lateral Hip Pain Page