Pain in the hip

Pain in the hip can have many causes. Hip complaints can arise both acutely and gradually. Although most people experience hip problems later in life, hip pain can also occur at a younger age. In this article you can read about how the hip is constructed and which conditions can cause hip pain.

Anatomy of the hip

In the hip joint, two bones come together; the hip bone (also called the os coxae) and the thigh bone (the “femur”). The hip bone is part of the pelvis. On both sides of the hip bone there is a socket. The thigh bone fits into this socket with a round head, forming a ball-and-socket joint with the hip bone of the pelvis.

Cartilage
Both the socket and the head are covered with a layer of cartilage. Cartilage is very smooth and ensures that the head and the socket move smoothly over each other. Wear or damage to the cartilage can cause hip pain because the two bone parts can no longer move properly over each other. This is called hip osteoarthritis.

Ligaments and capsules
The head and socket of the hip joint are held together by the joint capsule. This consists of strong ligaments that ensure the joint cannot be dislocated. Damage to the capsules and ligaments can lead to hip pain.

Muscles and tendons
The movements in the hip joint are made by the hip muscles. These muscles attach via tendons to the bones of the pelvis and the femur or lower leg bones. The position of a muscle and its attachment to the bones determines which movements the muscle can produce in the joint. Overworked muscles and tendons can cause pain in or around the hip joint.

Location of pain in the hip
A problem with muscles and tendons is usually felt in the area where the muscle or tendon is located. However, when the problem is within the hip joint itself, the pain is often felt in the groin. This is why groin and hip complaints are often confused. When there is groin pain, the hip should always be examined as well.

Check your symptoms

Because hip pain can have various causes, we advise you to take the online physiotherapy check. This is a test for hip pain, among other things. First, indicate where you feel the pain. You will then receive several questions about your complaints so that we can make a good initial assessment. The result shows the condition(s) you may be dealing with. If desired, you can then share the result with a physiotherapist near you.

Conditions of the hip

The overview below provides insight into conditions that can cause pain in or around the hip. Each article provides detailed information about the underlying anatomy, symptoms, and treatment.