Hip pain is often dismissed as “normal aging,” but current research shows this assumption delays diagnosis and worsens outcomes. In 2026, hip aching is understood as a multifactorial condition involving biomechanics, inflammation, lifestyle, and medical history.
This guide explains what hip aching really means, why it’s increasing, and what works — backed by evidence.
Table of Contents
What is Hip Pain?
Hip pain is pain or discomfort you feel in or around your hips joint. A joint is a place in your body where two bones meet. Your hip joint is where your thigh bone (femur) connects to your pelvis. Your hip joint is one of the largest joints in your body, and you use it constantly to move, support your weight and maintain your balance.
Hip aching can range from a temporary, short-term annoyance to a bigger issue that needs treatment from a healthcare provider. Where you feel the aching depends on which part of your hip joint is damaged.
What causes hip pain?
There are a number of conditions that are accompanied by hip pain such as arthritis, hip injuries (fractures, labral tears and dislocation), bursitis and structural problems. Athletes who swing their hips in every direction such as dancers and gymnasts have more chances of injuring their hips and experiencing hip pain.
How Common Is Hip Pain
Global Hip Pain Trend (1990–2025)
|
Year |
Estimated % of Adults With Hip Pain |
Key Contributors |
|
1990 |
~3.2% | Aging population |
| 2005 | ~4.6% | Sedentary lifestyle |
| 2015 | ~5.8% | Obesity increase |
| 2020 | ~6.5% | COVID inactivity |
| 2025 | ~7.0% |
Post-COVID effects, early OA |
Insight: Hip pain is rising faster than population aging alone can explain.
The 6 Evidence-Backed Risk Factors
-
Chronic Low-Grade Inflammation
Metabolic inflammation accelerates cartilage wear and pain sensitivity — even before arthritis appears on X-ray.
-
Post-COVID Steroid Exposure
High-dose steroids used during COVID treatment are now linked to:
- Avascular necrosis (AVN)
- Rapid joint collapse
- Early hip replacement
-
Sedentary Work & Weak Hip Stabilizers
Prolonged sitting weakens gluteal and deep hip muscles, shifting load to joint cartilage.
-
Metabolic Health & Obesity
Every additional 5 kg of body weight increases hip joint load by 20–25 kg per step.
-
Undiagnosed Biomechanical Asymmetry
Leg-length differences, pelvic tilt, or spinal stiffness overload one hip silently for years.
-
Delayed Diagnosis
Many patients receive painkillers for months before proper biomechanical or imaging evaluation.
Relative Contribution to Hip Pain Risk
| Risk Factor | Contribution Level |
| Sedentary lifestyle | High |
| Obesity / metabolic syndrome | High |
| Steroid exposure | Moderate–High |
| Age-related degeneration | Moderate |
Types of Hip Pain — And What They Usually Indicate
Hip Pain Location & Likely Cause
| Pain Location | Most Likely Cause | What to Do |
| Groin | Arthritis, labral tear | Imaging + ortho consult |
| Outer hip | Trochanteric bursitis | Physical therapy |
| Buttock | Spine or nerve referral | Spine evaluation |
| Sudden severe pain | Fracture, AVN | Urgent care |
| Pain while sitting | Hip impingement | Movement assessment |
When Hip Pain Is NOT Coming From the Hip Joint
Up to 30% of hip aching cases originate from:
- Lumbar spine
- Sacroiliac joint
- Peripheral nerves
- Muscle trigger points
This explains why imaging can appear “normal” despite severe pain.
Diagnosis in 2026: What Actually Works
Best outcomes come from combining:
- Movement assessment
- Targeted imaging (not routine scans)
- Medication history (especially steroids)
- Load tolerance testing
Over-imaging without clinical correlation often leads to unnecessary procedures.
Treatment That Works (And Why Many Plans Fail)
Treatment Options & Realistic Outcomes
| Treatment | Best For | Success Rate | Key Limitation |
| Exercise therapy | Early-stage pain | 60–70% | Needs consistency |
| Steroid injection | Acute flare | Short-term relief | Joint risk |
| PRP | Selected cases | Mixed evidence | Cost |
| Arthroscopy | Impingement / tears | High if selected well | Rehab time |
| Hip replacement | End-stage OA | 90%+ pain relief | Surgery recovery |
Why pain returns: movement patterns and load errors remain uncorrected.
Case Studies (Real-World Examples)
Hip Pain Case Outcomes
| Case | Condition | Intervention | Result |
| Case 1 | Post-COVID AVN | Early detection | Surgery delayed |
| Case 2 | Functional hip pain | Strength rehab | 45% pain reduction |
These cases show why cause-based treatment outperforms symptom control.
Can Hip Pain Be Prevented or Reversed?
Yes — when addressed early.
Key strategies:
- Strength before stretching
- Reduce sitting time
- Improve metabolic health
- Treat pain as a load-management problem
Conclusion
Hip pain is a symptomatic manifestation of many conditions. However, because hip aching occur frequently does not mean that you should live in aching. See a doctor when you experience pains in your hip and when the self-treatment methods have not been effective so far, in particular, when it is so severe that it makes you skip the things that you enjoy. The medical professional will identify the cause of pain in your hips and recommend remedies that will have you on your feet without pain within the shortest time possible.
