Hip & Thigh

Osteoarthritis is the gradual wear and tear of the hip joint’s cartilage and subchondral bone, which can emerge naturally with age or develop earlier following a childhood hip disorder, such as Perthes disease. Over time the smooth surfaces become rough, osteophytes (bone spurs) form and joint space narrows, reducing shock-absorption and movement.

You’ll typically experience a deep, aching pain felt most clearly in the groin, which may also refer into the front of the thigh or down towards the knee. Stiffness is often worst after rest—such as first thing in the morning or after sitting—and activities like getting up from a chair, climbing stairs or walking for long periods can aggravate the discomfort and reveal a crunch or catch in the joint.

Femoro-acetabular impingement occurs when the head of the femur or the rim of the acetabulum is misshapen, causing abnormal contact and extra bone growth during hip movements. This bony overgrowth rubs inside the socket, leading to pain, inflammation and reduced range, particularly into flexion and internal rotation.

Sharp pain or pinching sensation is felt more in the outer aspect of the joint rather than the groin when you flex your hip—such as when tying shoelaces, squatting or sitting for long periods. You may notice morning stiffness, a painful “catch” or limited ability to swivel the thigh inwards, and discomfort radiating toward the lateral hip or buttock as the joint impinges repeatedly.

Gluteal strains and tendinopathy involve microscopic tears or degenerative changes in the large buttock muscles (gluteus maximus, medius and minimus), often resulting from repetitive loading in runners and cyclists or from age-related wear. The muscle fibres and their tendons become inflamed, weakened and prone to pain with movement.

You’ll feel a dull ache or sharp twinge in the buttock or outer hip area during activities like running, climbing stairs or rising from a seated position. Tenderness on pressing the muscle belly or its tendon insertion, plus discomfort when resisting hip abduction or external rotation, are key signs.

Trochanteric bursitis is inflammation of the bursa that lies over the greater trochanter of the femur (the nobly boney prominence on the outside of the hip), often arising when tight gluteal muscles repeatedly rub against the bursa or after direct trauma such as a fall. The bursa becomes swollen and painful, reducing the smooth gliding of surrounding tissues.

This presents with a sharp or burning pain on the outside of the hip and upper thigh, which intensifies when lying on that side, climbing stairs or walking uphill. Pressing over the bony prominence reproduces the discomfort, and you may hear a subtle creak as the inflamed bursa moves beneath the muscle.

Snapping hip describes an audible or palpable click as the iliotibial band or iliopsoas tendon moves over bony prominences of the pelvis or femur. It most often affects active individuals during repetitive hip flexion–extension movements, such as dancers, runners or those who sit for prolonged periods.

You’ll notice a distinct “snap” or “click” at the front or side of the hip when you swing your leg forward, stand from sitting or rotate your thigh. While it can be painless, some people experience an accompanying sharp twinge or localised discomfort at the moment of snapping.

Referred buttock pain arises when nerves in the lower spine—often at the facet joints or from a trapped nerve root—transmit pain signals into the buttock rather than the back. Although the problem originates in the spine, the sensation is felt deep in the gluteal region.

Symptoms includes a persistent, dull or aching pain in one or both buttocks that may stretch into the posterior thigh but seldom passes the knee. It often worsens with prolonged sitting, bending forward or spinal rotation, and may be accompanied by stiffness or a subtle reduction in hip range.

ITB syndrome is an overuse injury where the iliotibial band—a thick fibrous band running from the hip to just below the knee—rubs excessively against the lateral femoral condyle or iliac crest. Runners, cyclists and hikers who repeat hip and knee flexion are most at risk, as chronic friction irritates the band and underlying tissues.

This will normally present with a sharp or burning pain on the outer thigh and knee, often appearing part-way through a run or cycle and easing with rest. Pressing the side of the knee or hip reproduces the discomfort, and you may feel tightness along the band that restricts smooth movement.

Thigh strains involve overstretching or tearing of muscle fibres in the posterior (hamstrings), anterior (quadriceps) or medial (adductor/groin) compartments, typically during sudden acceleration, deceleration or twisting movements. They can occur in athletes and in everyday activities that overstress a muscle.

You’ll feel a sudden, sharp pain in the back, front or groin of the thigh at the moment of injury, often accompanied by a popping sensation. Swelling, bruising and bruising may develop within 24–48 hours, and moving or stretching the affected muscle reproduces the pain, limiting walking, running or kicking.

Meralgia paraesthetica is compression of the lateral femoral cutaneous nerve as it passes through the groin, leading to sensory changes in the outer thigh without affecting muscle strength. It can result from tight clothing, obesity, pregnancy or prolonged standing.

You’ll experience burning, tingling or numbness over the anterolateral thigh, which may worsen when walking or standing and ease when sitting or flexing the hip. There is no muscle weakness, but the altered sensation can be unsettling and may mimic a spinal or muscular problem.