Dr. Vaishali Suri (P.T.)
Hip Pain: More Than Just Arthritis
Hip pain is often dismissed as simply "arthritis" or attributed to old age, but the hip joint and surrounding structures can produce pain from a wide range of conditions — many of which are highly treatable with physiotherapy. Accurate diagnosis is the critical first step.
The hip is a ball-and-socket joint designed for both stability and mobility. It bears the body's full weight through each step and serves as the mechanical link between the lower limb and the spine. Problems here affect walking, sitting, sleeping, and virtually every functional activity.
Common Causes of Hip Pain
Hip Osteoarthritis
The most common cause in patients over 50. Cartilage degeneration causes groin pain (the classic hip OA location), stiffness after rest, and progressive loss of internal rotation. Physiotherapy strengthening and manual therapy can significantly reduce symptoms and improve function — often delaying hip replacement by years.
Greater Trochanteric Pain Syndrome (Trochanteric Bursitis)
Pain on the outer hip and thigh, often worse when lying on the affected side or after prolonged walking. Caused by gluteal tendinopathy and bursal irritation. A common misdiagnosis is "sciatica" — but the distribution is lateral, not posterior. Responds excellently to physiotherapy loading programmes.
Hip Labral Tear
The labrum is a ring of cartilage around the hip socket. Tears cause groin pain, clicking, locking, and instability. Common in young athletes involved in sports requiring hip rotation. Conservative physiotherapy is the first-line treatment; surgery reserved for refractory cases.
Femoroacetabular Impingement (FAI)
Abnormal contact between the femoral head and acetabulum during hip movement. Two types: cam (femoral head overgrowth) and pincer (acetabular overcoverage). Causes groin pain with hip flexion. Physiotherapy focuses on movement pattern modification and hip muscle strengthening.
Piriformis Syndrome
The piriformis muscle (deep in the buttock) can compress the sciatic nerve, causing buttock pain that radiates down the leg. Distinguished from true disc-related sciatica by examination. Responds well to piriformis stretching and gluteal strengthening.
Referred Pain from the Lumbar Spine
L3, L4, and L5 nerve root compression can refer pain into the hip and thigh. Differentiating lumbar from true hip pathology requires careful clinical examination — a key physiotherapy assessment skill.
Physiotherapy Treatment for Hip Pain
Strengthening
Gluteus medius and maximus weakness is central to most hip pain conditions. We prescribe progressive loading: clamshells, side-lying abduction, single-leg exercises, hip thrusts, and functional movement patterns. Strong glutes protect the hip joint and correct the pelvic drop (Trendelenburg) gait that accelerates hip degeneration.
Manual Therapy
Hip joint mobilisation improves capsular mobility — particularly in OA and post-surgical stiffness. Soft tissue release for the hip flexors, piriformis, and IT band. Lumbar mobilisation when spinal referral contributes to hip pain.
Gait Retraining
Abnormal gait patterns increase hip joint loading and perpetuate pain. We identify and correct Trendelenburg gait, excessive trunk lean, and foot progression angle abnormalities.
Book Your Hip Assessment in Faridabad
At Realign Rehab Clinic, NIT-5, Faridabad, we conduct thorough hip assessments to identify the exact source of your pain and create a targeted treatment plan. Book your consultation today.