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Halcy Orthopedics

Hip Pain Treatment in New York

Also known as: Hip Bursitis, Hip Arthritis, Greater Trochanteric Pain, Hip Joint Pain, Trochanteric Bursitis

3 min readLast updated: 2025-12-31
Reviewed by Dr. Maya Chen, MD, FAAOS

Hip pain is discomfort in or around the hip joint, which may originate from the joint itself, surrounding muscles, tendons, or bursae. It can also be referred from the lower back or pelvis. Hip pain ranges from mild aching to severe pain that limits walking and daily activities. The hip joint's role in weight-bearing makes it particularly susceptible to wear and various conditions.

At a Glance

  • Hip pain may result from conditions affecting the joint, muscles, tendons, or bursae[2]
  • Osteoarthritis is one of the most common causes of hip pain, particularly in older adults[1]
  • Diagnosis typically involves physical examination, gait assessment, and imaging studies[3]
  • Acupuncture may be used as a complementary approach for hip pain management[4]
  • Many hip conditions respond well to conservative treatments such as physical therapy and activity modification

Affected Anatomy

  • Hip joint (acetabulofemoral joint)
  • Femoral head and acetabulum
  • Hip labrum
  • Hip bursa (trochanteric, iliopsoas)
  • Gluteal muscles
  • Hip flexor muscles (iliopsoas)
  • IT band
  • Sacroiliac joint

What are the symptoms of Hip Pain?

  • Pain in the groin, thigh, buttock, or outer hip area
  • Stiffness in the hip joint, especially in the morning
  • Decreased range of motion
  • Pain that worsens with activity or prolonged standing
  • Limping or difficulty walking
  • Pain that radiates to the knee
  • Difficulty with stairs or getting up from a seated position

When should you seek care for Hip Pain?

  • Hip pain with fever or a hot, swollen joint requiring urgent evaluation
  • Hip pain after trauma with difficulty bearing weight or walking
  • Sudden severe groin pain that occurs without explanation
  • Persistent hip pain that limits daily activities despite self-care measures

If any of these apply, consider reaching out to schedule a visit.

What causes Hip Pain?

Causes

  • Osteoarthritis of the hip
  • Trochanteric bursitis
  • Hip labral tear
  • Muscle strain or tendinitis
  • Hip impingement (femoroacetabular impingement)
  • Referred pain from the lumbar spine

Risk Factors

  • Older age
  • Obesity or excess weight
  • Previous hip injuries
  • Repetitive activities or sports
  • Family history of hip problems
  • Occupations requiring prolonged standing
  • Female gender (for bursitis)
  • Leg length discrepancy

How It's Diagnosed

  • 1Physical examination and medical history
  • 2Assessment of gait and range of motion
  • 3Hip impingement tests
  • 4X-rays to evaluate joint structure
  • 5MRI for soft tissue evaluation
  • 6Diagnostic injection to localize pain source
  • 7Blood tests if inflammatory conditions suspected

Prognosis and Recovery

  • Many hip conditions respond well to conservative treatment
  • Recovery time varies depending on the underlying cause
  • Chronic conditions may require ongoing management
  • Joint replacement may be considered for severe arthritis

Frequently Asked Questions

Hip pain is discomfort in or around the hip joint, which may originate from the joint itself, surrounding muscles, tendons, or bursae. It can also be referred from the lower back or pelvis. Hip pain ranges from mild aching to severe pain that limits walking and daily activities, and the hip joint's role in weight-bearing makes it susceptible to various conditions.
Common symptoms include pain in the groin, thigh, buttock, or outer hip area, stiffness in the hip joint especially in the morning, and decreased range of motion. Many people experience pain that worsens with activity, difficulty with stairs or getting up from sitting, limping, and pain that may radiate to the knee.
Hip pain can result from osteoarthritis, trochanteric bursitis, hip labral tears, muscle strain or tendinitis, and hip impingement. Pain can also be referred from the lumbar spine or sacroiliac joint. Risk factors include older age, obesity, previous hip injuries, and repetitive activities.
Seek urgent medical attention for hip pain with fever or a hot, swollen joint, hip pain after trauma with difficulty bearing weight, or sudden severe groin pain without explanation. You should also see a doctor for persistent hip pain that limits daily activities despite self-care measures, or pain accompanied by unexplained weight loss.
Treatment options include rest and activity modification, ice or heat therapy, physical therapy with strengthening exercises, acupuncture, and anti-inflammatory medications. Corticosteroid injections may help for bursitis or arthritis flares. Weight management and assistive devices can reduce joint stress. Surgery may be considered for structural problems or advanced arthritis.
Many hip conditions respond well to conservative treatment. Recovery time varies depending on the underlying cause, but chronic conditions may require ongoing management. Maintaining a healthy weight, strengthening hip and core muscles, and using appropriate footwear can help support long-term hip health.
Helpful home strategies include activity modification to avoid symptom flares, applying ice or heat for relief, gentle stretching and strengthening exercises, and using assistive devices like a cane to reduce hip load when walking. Maintaining a healthy body weight and wearing supportive footwear can also help reduce stress on the hip joint.

Your Practitioner

Dr. Maya Chen, MD, FAAOS

Fellowship-trained orthopedic surgeon specializing in cartilage preservation and minimally-invasive joint procedures. Dr. Chen treats high-performance athletes and weekend warriors alike, with a focus on returning patients to the activities they love.

Dr. Marcus Rivera, MD

Spine surgeon with subspecialty training in motion-preserving cervical procedures. Dr. Rivera has performed more than 2,000 cervical disc replacements and lectures internationally on navigation-assisted spine surgery.

Dr. Priya Nair, MD

Non-operative sports medicine physician focused on regenerative orthopedic care. Dr. Nair leads the practice's PRP and ultrasound-guided injection programs, and serves as team physician for two NYC-area collegiate athletic departments.

Sources & References

This article draws from 4 sources, including NIH, leading medical institutions.

Government & Research

Medical Institutions

Educational & General

Medically reviewed by Dr. Maya Chen, MD, FAAOS · Last reviewed: 2026-05-11