Hip pain

Hip pain means pain in the hip area, which may be felt deep in the joint, on the outer side of the thigh or in the buttock. The pain may appear when moving, walking, climbing stairs or at rest, and its intensity can vary from mild aching to severe pain. The most common causes of hip pain in Finland are overuse problems such as inflammation at the gluteal tendon insertion or irritation of the bursa (trochanteric bursitis), osteoarthritis, and injuries such as fractures caused by falls, especially in older people. Problems in the back or diseases in the abdominal cavity can sometimes also cause hip pain, even when the hip itself is healthy.

Hip pain may be temporary and caused, for example, by exercise strain or a long walk. However, if the pain is severe, prevents walking, or is related to an injury, it is important to seek medical care quickly. In older people, hip pain after a fall should always raise suspicion of a fracture and requires immediate assessment by a professional. Persistent, recurring or unexplained pain should also be examined so that the underlying cause can be identified and treated appropriately.