Hip pain: which doctor should I see?
Hip pain is felt in the groin, on the outer side of the thigh or in the buttock. It often gets in the way of walking, climbing stairs and sleeping on one side. Here you will learn what may be behind it, when it is urgent and which specialist to see.
Book a specialistWhen it is urgent
- Severe pain after a fall or a blow, you cannot walk or put weight on the leg, or the leg looks shorter or turned outwards.
- The joint is very painful and you have a fever or chills.
- The pain is sudden and severe and you cannot move.
- The leg becomes numb or weak, you feel numb around the genitals or anus, you have difficulty passing urine, or you leak urine or stools.
- A child has sudden pain in the hip, thigh or knee, will not put weight on the leg, has severe pain low in the tummy, has a fever and seems unwell, or is getting worse.
With these signs, seek emergency help — call 112 or go to the nearest emergency department.
Call 112What it may mean
- Wear of the joint (hip osteoarthritis) — more common with age; pain in the groin and stiffness after rest.
- Inflammation of the bursae or tendons around the joint (bursitis, tendinitis) — pain on the outer side of the thigh, worse when lying on that side.
- Strain or injury of the muscles around the joint — after sport, a fall or a sudden movement.
- Pain coming from the lower back — felt in the thigh or buttock, but the cause is in the spine.
- An inflammatory joint condition — pain and stiffness in several joints, often in the morning.
Which specialist
How to prepare for the visit
Note when the pain started, where exactly you feel it and which movements make it worse. Bring any X-rays and earlier test results, and a list of the medicines you take. Wear comfortable clothes so the doctor can check how the joint moves.
Frequently asked questions
How can I tell whether the pain comes from the hip or the back?
It is hard to judge on your own. The doctor will examine both the hip and the back and decide whether a test is needed.
Can I keep moving?
Moderate movement usually helps, but with severe pain rest until the visit. The doctor will tell you what activity suits you. Book a visit without delay if severe pain started suddenly without a fall, or the hip is swollen, hot or changed in colour, even without a fever.
Orthopaedist or rheumatologist?
For pain after strain, an injury or with age the first specialist is an orthopaedist. With pain and stiffness in several joints the doctor may refer you to a rheumatologist.
This information does not replace a visit to a doctor.