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Hip Injuries and Disorders
Reviewed by Medicinsk Expert•Last updated: 2026-10-22•Injuries Wounds

Hip Injuries and Disorders

The hip is a stable ball-and-socket joint that allows for a wide range of motion, though it can be compromised by injury, disease, or developmental conditions.

Overview

Your hip is the joint where your femur (thigh bone) meets your pelvis (hip bone). It is known as a ball-and-socket joint, consisting of a ball at the end of the femur that fits into a socket in the pelvis. This structure makes your hips very stable and allows for a wide range of motion. When they are healthy, it takes great force to hurt them.

Injuries

Playing sports, running, overuse, or falling can sometimes lead to hip injuries such as:

  • Strains
  • Bursitis
  • Dislocations
  • Fractures (broken bones)

Diseases and Developmental Conditions

Certain diseases also lead to hip injuries or problems:

  • Osteoarthritis: Can cause pain and limited motion.
  • Osteoporosis: Causes weak bones that break easily. Both of these are common in older people.
  • Hip dysplasia: A condition where the ball at the end of the femur is loose in the hip socket, which can cause hip dislocation. Babies who have hip dysplasia are usually born with it, but sometimes they develop it later.

Treatment and Management

Treatment for hip disorders may include rest, medicines, physical therapy, or surgery, including hip replacement.

Frequently Asked Questions

Surgery is usually considered when pain interferes with daily activities despite optimal non‑surgical measures (physical therapy, weight management, NSAIDs, joint injections), when there is marked loss of hip motion, or when radiographs show advanced joint space narrowing and bone changes. If a patient can still walk independently and manage pain with conservative care, surgery may be delayed.
Hip bursitis typically causes sharp, localized pain on the outer side of the hip that worsens with activities like climbing stairs or lying on the affected side, and may be accompanied by swelling over the bursa. Early osteoarthritis presents as a dull, aching pain deep within the groin that worsens after prolonged standing or walking and is often linked with stiffness that improves with gentle movement. Imaging (ultrasound for bursitis, X‑ray for arthritis) helps confirm the diagnosis.
Early warning signs include persistent deep groin or thigh pain that worsens with weight‑bearing, a feeling of instability when walking, bruising or swelling around the hip, and a sudden loss of range of motion. If any of these symptoms appear after a fall or minor trauma, especially in older adults with osteoporosis, seek medical evaluation promptly.
dults with residual hip dysplasia benefit from maintaining a healthy weight, engaging in low‑impact strengthening exercises (e.g., swimming, stationary cycling) to support the surrounding musculature, avoiding high‑impact sports that stress the joint, and staying up‑to‑date with regular orthopedic follow‑up and imaging to monitor joint wear. Early physical therapy can improve gait mechanics and delay arthritis progression.
Source: MedlinePlus, National Library of Medicine

MedlinePlus brings together authoritative health information from the National Library of Medicine (NLM), the National Institutes of Health (NIH), and other government agencies and health-related organizations.

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