Common questions about hip, pelvis and thigh pain

Usually not: most thigh pain comes from a strained or overworked muscle, from the hip joint, or spreads from the lower back. Thigh pain is not a usual sign of heart disease, but leg or thigh pain that comes on with walking and goes after a few minutes' rest may be a sign of narrowed arteries, which are linked to heart disease, so see a doctor. If the pain comes with swelling in one leg or thigh, sometimes with redness or warmth, it could be a blood clot: see a doctor the same day, and call an ambulance straight away if you become short of breath or have chest pain: 911 in Jordan or 122 in Iraq and Kurdistan.

Read more: Hamstring strain, Muscle knots and tension · Source: NHS — DVT (deep vein thrombosis) · NHS — Peripheral arterial disease (PAD)

Usually not. Hip pain is common, especially as we get older, and it usually comes from osteoarthritis, from the tendons of the muscles around the hip, or from overuse. Sometimes, though, it can be serious: go to the emergency department or call an ambulance (911 in Jordan, 122 in Iraq and Kurdistan) if severe pain follows a fall or injury, especially in an older person, or you cannot walk or stand on the leg, as it could be a fracture. See a doctor the same day if severe pain starts suddenly without a fall, the hip is hot and swollen, or you have a fever and feel unwell.

Read more: Hip osteoarthritis, Outer hip pain · Source: NHS — Hip pain in adults

Usually not: hip pain normally comes from the hip joint, the muscles and tendons around it, or the lower back. Pain low in the tummy or pelvis, or pain that continues or keeps coming back, needs a doctor to find the cause. See a doctor the same day if it comes with unusual bleeding or discharge, pain or difficulty passing urine, a fever, or a pregnancy or possible pregnancy. Go to the emergency department straight away if the pain is severe or getting worse, or comes with dizziness, fainting or heavy bleeding: 911 in Jordan or 122 in Iraq and Kurdistan.

Source: NHS — Pelvic pain · NHS — Hip pain in adults

It depends on where it is and what comes with it. Pain low in the tummy needs a doctor to find the cause if it continues or keeps coming back, and the same day if it comes with unusual bleeding or discharge, pain when passing urine, a fever, or a pregnancy or possible pregnancy. Pain at the back of the pelvis that gets worse with long sitting, stairs or turning over in bed usually comes from the sacroiliac joint, the lower back or the muscles, and usually improves with movement and exercise. Go to the emergency department (911 in Jordan, 122 in Iraq and Kurdistan) if the pain is severe or getting worse, or comes with dizziness, fainting or heavy bleeding.

Read more: Sacroiliac joint pain · Source: NHS — Pelvic pain · Vleeming A et al. (2008). European guidelines for the diagnosis and treatment of pelvic girdle pain. Eur Spine J 17(6):794–819

Treatment depends on the cause, but some general steps usually help: keep moving without overdoing it, temporarily ease off what provokes the pain, such as long walks, stairs or carrying heavy things, avoid low chairs, try a cold pack wrapped in a cloth, wear comfortable shoes, and lose weight if you are overweight. If the pain is on the side of the hip, avoid lying on the painful side and crossing your legs. At Revibe we identify the likely source with an examination, then build a progressive strengthening programme with you.

Read more: Outer hip pain, Hip osteoarthritis · Source: NHS — Hip pain in adults · Mellor R et al. (2018). Education plus exercise versus corticosteroid injection use versus a wait and see approach on global outcome and pain from gluteal tendinopathy: prospective, single blinded, randomised clinical trial. BMJ 361:k1662

Pain at the back of the pelvis, below the waist and often on one side, may come from the sacroiliac joint, the lower back or the buttock muscles. This joint does not go out of place, as is often said; the diagnosis is based on an examination, and scans are not usually needed. What usually helps is a clear explanation and reassurance, regular movement rather than long rest, and an individual exercise programme to strengthen the buttock, hip and trunk muscles. At Revibe we add manual therapy and release of muscle knots as part of the plan, not instead of exercise.

Read more: Sacroiliac joint pain, Back pain · Source: Vleeming A et al. (2008). European guidelines for the diagnosis and treatment of pelvic girdle pain. Eur Spine J 17(6):794–819 · NICE NG59 — Low back pain and sciatica in over 16s

Treatment depends on where the pain is and what caused it. If it started suddenly during sport with a sharp pain at the back or front of the thigh, it may be a muscle strain or tear: protect the leg, take the load off it and use a cold pack in the first days, then return to movement and strengthening exercises gradually. For long-standing tightness or muscle knots, regular movement, gentle stretching and strengthening help, and release of muscle knots and manual therapy may also help. See a doctor if walking is hard, the swelling or bruising is large, or the pain does not improve.

Read more: Hamstring strain, Muscle knots and tension · Source: NHS — Hamstring injury · Dua A, Chang KV (2025). Myofascial Pain Syndrome. StatPearls, NCBI Bookshelf

Where the pain is helps suggest its source. Pain from the hip joint itself, such as osteoarthritis, is usually felt in the groin or at the front of the hip and may spread down the front of the thigh, with stiffness and difficulty putting on shoes and socks. Pain on the side of the hip often comes from the tendons of the buttock muscles and gets worse when lying on that side or climbing stairs. Pain at the back of the hip and in the buttock may come from the lower back or the sacroiliac joint. An examination confirms the likely source.

Read more: Hip osteoarthritis, Outer hip pain · Source: NHS — Osteoarthritis: symptoms · NHS — Hip pain in adults

There are several causes. In athletes it often comes from the adductor muscles on the inner thigh, the hip flexor muscle, the inguinal area or the pubic bone. It can also come from the hip joint itself, such as osteoarthritis in older people. A swelling or lump in the groin that gets bigger when you cough and smaller when you lie down may be a hernia and needs a doctor, the same day if it becomes painful or you are vomiting. Sudden, severe pain in a testicle needs the emergency department straight away: 911 in Jordan or 122 in Iraq and Kurdistan. An examination identifies the likely cause and the treatment plan.

Read more: Sports injuries, Hip osteoarthritis · Source: Weir A et al. (2015). Doha agreement meeting on terminology and definitions in groin pain in athletes. Br J Sports Med 49(12):768–774 · NHS — Hernia

There is not enough scientific evidence that herbs, oils or supplements treat hip osteoarthritis or rebuild cartilage, and NICE does not recommend glucosamine. The treatment that guidelines put at the core is exercise designed for you, and weight management where needed, together with understanding the condition. A walking stick may help, and manual therapy is used alongside exercise. Medicines, injections and joint replacement are your doctor's decision. Ask a doctor or pharmacist before taking any supplement, especially with other medicines.

Read more: Hip osteoarthritis · Source: NICE NG226 — Osteoarthritis in over 16s: diagnosis and management (2022) · NHS — Osteoarthritis: treatment and support

Common symptoms are pain in the groin, at the front or the side of the hip that gets worse with walking and stairs, stiffness after sitting or in the morning, and difficulty putting on shoes and socks or getting in and out of a car. It becomes more common with age, and risk factors include family history, being overweight and previous hip injuries; it is also more common in women. It is not usually a threat to life, and exercise usually helps ease the symptoms, but sudden severe pain or a hot, swollen hip with a fever needs a doctor the same day.

Read more: Hip osteoarthritis · Source: NHS — Osteoarthritis: symptoms · NHS — Osteoarthritis

There is no single best exercise for everyone; guidelines recommend a programme tailored to each person. It usually includes strengthening the hip, buttock and thigh muscles, exercises that keep the hip moving and flexible, and aerobic activity such as walking, a stationary bike or exercise in water, built up gradually. Pain may rise a little when you start, but keeping going increases the benefit. At Revibe we choose the exercises after examining your hip movement, strength and the way you walk, and we add manual therapy and joint mobilisation alongside them.

Read more: Hip osteoarthritis · Source: Koc TA Jr et al. (2025). Hip Pain and Mobility Deficits — Hip Osteoarthritis: Revision 2025 — Clinical Practice Guidelines. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther 55(11):CPG1–CPG31 · NICE NG226 — Osteoarthritis in over 16s: diagnosis and management (2022)