Hip Pain When Walking?
Leave a CommentHip pain, in general, can be caused by a wide variety of reasons. Hip pain can be caused by the hip itself or the back. It can also be caused by muscle weakness and/or joint stiffness. The hip joint typically causes pain in the front or “groin” of the hip. The hip bursa or muscular dysfunction can cause pain felt on the outside of the hip. The SI joint, low back, and muscles of the back of the hip can cause pain felt on the backside of the hip. But for starters, why do I have hip pain when I walk?
What causes my pain when I walk?
Hip pain truly is tricky to diagnose because of the vast array of causes listed above. Most often, pain in the hip is caused by stiffness, weakness, or joint disorders. For this reason, it is important to see a physical therapist for a thorough assessment of what is causing your hip pain.
1. My hip pain is on the lateral aspect of my hip, true or false?
If true, this could indicate bursitis.
2. My pain gets worse going up and downstairs, true or false?
If true, this could indicate bursitis, arthritis, or glut dysfunction.
3. My hip pain is worse at night, true or false?
If true, this is common with all pain, always mention this to your healthcare providers .
4. My hip pops, clicks, or cracks, true or false?
If true, this could indicate snapping hip, labrum involvement, or arthritis.
5. I have numbness and/or tingling with my pain, true or false?
If true, this may mean your hip pain is related to your low back.
What can I do about it?
Hip pain has recently become a more common topic of discussion but remains challenging to diagnose due to being multi-factorial. If you are experiencing hip pain, it is important to be assessed by a medical professional, including a physical therapist, chiropractor, or orthopedic physician. This will support treatment geared to help your specific hip problem. Individualized care is important with hip pain due to the above-listed potential causes of hip pain. Physical therapy can help determine the cause of your hip pain and a comprehensive treatment plan to ensure your specific deficits and goals are addressed.
Hip pain when walking could indicate a more significant problem such as a stress fracture. Make sure to seek medical attention when noticing hip pain when walking to rule out these red flags. If a child has pain or a limp in the hip when walking, please seek immediate care as this could be an emergent finding.
Physical Therapy Can Help
Do you have hip pain? Contact Athletico for a free assessment. One of our hip specialists will assess your pain and provide recommendations to best fit your needs. Free Assessments are available in-clinic and virtually through our Telehealth platform.
The Athletico blog is an educational resource written by Athletico employees. Athletico bloggers are licensed professionals who abide by the code of ethics outlined by their respective professional associations. The content published in blog posts represents the opinion of the individual author based on their expertise and experience. The content provided in this blog is for informational purposes only, does not constitute medical advice and should not be relied on for making personal health decisions.
