What are the main causes of hip pain?
Top 5 Causes of Hip Pain in the US
Greater Trochanteric Pain Syndrome (Hip Bursitis)
Top 5 Causes of Hip Pain in the US
Hip pain is one of the leading musculoskeletal complaints in adults, affecting mobility, sleep, work productivity, and exercise habits. While hip pain can come from many sources, research consistently shows that a small group of conditions accounts for the majority of cases seen in primary care and orthopedic clinics. Below is a research-
Hip pain is one of the leading musculoskeletal complaints in adults, affecting mobility, sleep, work productivity, and exercise habits. While hip pain can come from many sources, research consistently shows that a small group of conditions accounts for the majority of cases seen in primary care and orthopedic clinics. Below is a research-based breakdown of the five most common causes of hip pain in U.S. adults, including prevalence statistics and the key lifestyle and biological factors that contribute to each.
Hip Osteoarthritis
Greater Trochanteric Pain Syndrome (Hip Bursitis)
Top 5 Causes of Hip Pain in the US
Hip osteoarthritis (OA) is by far the most common cause of hip pain in adults.
- 32.5 million U.S. adults have osteoarthritis overall.
- Among adults over age 50, ~19.6% have radiographic hip OA, and 4.2% have symptomatic hip OA.
- Prevalence increases dramatically with age, reaching ~30% by age 90.
Hip OA occurs when cartilage in the hip joi
Hip osteoarthritis (OA) is by far the most common cause of hip pain in adults.
- 32.5 million U.S. adults have osteoarthritis overall.
- Among adults over age 50, ~19.6% have radiographic hip OA, and 4.2% have symptomatic hip OA.
- Prevalence increases dramatically with age, reaching ~30% by age 90.
Hip OA occurs when cartilage in the hip joint gradually wears down, leading to inflammation, stiffness, and pain.
Major Contributing Factors include:
Age: 88% of people with OA are over age 45.
Body weight: Excess weight increases joint load and accelerates cartilage breakdown.
Genetics: Family history strongly increases risk.
Repetitive joint stress: Long-term physical labor, sports, or repetitive movement.
Gender: Women are more affected after age 45.
Hip OA is strongly linked to aging and lifestyle factors, making it the dominant cause of chronic hip pain in the U.S.
Greater Trochanteric Pain Syndrome (Hip Bursitis)
Greater Trochanteric Pain Syndrome (Hip Bursitis)
Greater Trochanteric Pain Syndrome (Hip Bursitis)
Often called “hip bursitis,” this condition actually includes irritation of the bursae and gluteal tendons on the outer hip.
- Occurs in 10–20% of patients presenting with hip pain in primary care.
- Population prevalence studies show 15% of women and 6.6% of men have the condition.
Inflammation develops where tendons and muscles attach to th
Often called “hip bursitis,” this condition actually includes irritation of the bursae and gluteal tendons on the outer hip.
- Occurs in 10–20% of patients presenting with hip pain in primary care.
- Population prevalence studies show 15% of women and 6.6% of men have the condition.
Inflammation develops where tendons and muscles attach to the outer hip. Pain is typically felt on the side of the hip and worsens when lying on that side.
Major Contributing Factors include:
Female sex:
- Women are about 3x more likely to develop it.
Biomechanics:
- Weak glute muscles
- Poor walking mechanics
- Low back dysfunction
Overuse:
- Running, walking, or standing long hours.
Prolonged sitting or side sleeping
Modern lifestyles involve prolonged sitting and reduced hip strength, which strongly contribute to this condition.
Femoroacetabular Impingement (FAI)
Femoroacetabular Impingement (FAI)
Greater Trochanteric Pain Syndrome (Hip Bursitis)
FAI is a mechanical hip joint mismatch that causes the femur and hip socket to pinch during movement.
- Incidence of clinically diagnosed FAI: ~54 per 100,000 people per year.
- Considered the second most common intra-articular hip disorder after OA.
In FAI, bone shape abnormalities cause joint pinching during deep hip flexion (squatting, si
FAI is a mechanical hip joint mismatch that causes the femur and hip socket to pinch during movement.
- Incidence of clinically diagnosed FAI: ~54 per 100,000 people per year.
- Considered the second most common intra-articular hip disorder after OA.
In FAI, bone shape abnormalities cause joint pinching during deep hip flexion (squatting, sitting, sports).
Major Contributing Factors include:
Sports participation:
- Soccer, hockey, dance, weightlifting, and CrossFit are strongly linked.
Genetics and bone development:
- Often develops during adolescence.
Prolonged sitting:
- Modern sedentary jobs increase symptoms.
FAI is increasingly diagnosed as awareness improves and more adults remain active later in life.
Hip Labral Tears
Femoroacetabular Impingement (FAI)
Hip Flexor & Muscle/Tendon Strains
The hip labrum is a ring of cartilage that stabilizes the joint. Tears frequently occur alongside FAI.
Precise national prevalence is difficult to measure, but studies show:
- Labral injuries are common in athletes and active adults.
- In sports leagues, hip/groin injuries can reach ~19.9 injuries per 100 athletes per year.
When hip labrum te
The hip labrum is a ring of cartilage that stabilizes the joint. Tears frequently occur alongside FAI.
Precise national prevalence is difficult to measure, but studies show:
- Labral injuries are common in athletes and active adults.
- In sports leagues, hip/groin injuries can reach ~19.9 injuries per 100 athletes per year.
When hip labrum tears occur, the cartilage rim tears, causing deep groin pain, clicking, or catching sensations.
Major Contributing Factors Include:
- FAI (primary driver)
- Repetitive hip flexion and rotation
- Sports requiring cutting and pivoting
- Joint instability or dysplasia
As more adults stay active into middle age, labral tears are being diagnosed more frequently.
Hip Flexor & Muscle/Tendon Strains
Femoroacetabular Impingement (FAI)
Hip Flexor & Muscle/Tendon Strains
Muscle and tendon injuries are a leading cause of hip pain in younger and middle-aged adults.
- In professional football, muscle strains account for 59% of hip injuries.
While athlete data is often used, similar mechanisms affect active adults and weekend exercisers.
This injury type primarily occurs because muscles such as the hip flexors,
Muscle and tendon injuries are a leading cause of hip pain in younger and middle-aged adults.
- In professional football, muscle strains account for 59% of hip injuries.
While athlete data is often used, similar mechanisms affect active adults and weekend exercisers.
This injury type primarily occurs because muscles such as the hip flexors, adductors, or glutes become strained or overloaded.
Major Contributing Factors Include:
- Sudden increases in activity
- Sedentary lifestyles → weak hips → injury when activity resumes
- Poor movement mechanics
- Prolonged sitting (tight hip flexors)
The “weekend warrior” pattern—sedentary weekdays and intense weekend activity—drives many hip strains.
Best Treatment Methods for Hip Pain
Chiropractic Care & Soft Tissue Therapy
Why hands-on care helps hip injuries
Manual therapy works best when paired with exercise. It helps reduce pain quickly so patients can move and rehabilitate more effectively.
Research shows manual therapy can:
- Reduce pain and stiffness
- Improve range of motion
- Improve joint mechanics
- Speed return to activity
Common chiropractic techniques used:
Joint mobilization/manipulation
- Improves hip and pelvic joint motion
- Reduces pressure inside the joint
Soft tissue therapy to target
- Tight hip flexors
- Glutes and piriformis
- IT band and lateral hip tendons
Myofascial release, Graston Technique and trigger point therapy
Helps reduce muscle guarding and improve movement.
Why it works
Pain often creates a cycle:
Pain → muscle guarding → stiffness → more pain
Manual therapy interrupts this cycle and allows rehab exercises to work faster. Hands-on care helps patients move better sooner, accelerating recovery.
Movement-Based Rehabilitation (Physical Therapy & Corrective Exercise)
Why this is the foundation of recovery
Exercise therapy is widely considered the first-line treatment for most hip conditions. The hip is a large, load-bearing joint, and pain often develops when muscles are weak, tight, or not working together properly.
Rehabilitation focuses on restoring:
- Strength
- Mobility
- Joint stability
- Movement mechanics
Research consistently shows that strengthening and mobility programs can reduce pain, improve function, and delay or prevent the need for surgery in many patients.
What treatment typically includes
A high-quality rehab program often targets:
Glute strengthening
Weak glutes are linked to:
- Hip bursitis
- Labral tears
- Hip arthritis progression
Core stabilization
Your core controls pelvic position and hip alignment.
Hip mobility work
Improving range of motion reduces joint stress.
Movement retraining
Fixes walking, squatting, running, and lifting mechanics.
Why it works
Many hip conditions develop from load mismanagement. Exercise redistributes load across the joint and surrounding tissues, allowing irritated structures to calm down and heal. Movement therapy treats the root cause, not just the symptoms.
Lifestyle & Load Management (The Missing Piece Most People Overlook)
This is the most underestimated—but most powerful—treatment strategy.
Hip injuries are strongly influenced by daily habits, not just workouts or accidents.
The biggest lifestyle contributors to hip pain
Sitting habits
Prolonged sitting contributes to:
- Tight hip flexors
- Weak glutes
- Increased joint compression
Modern adults often sit 8–10 hours per day, which is a major driver of hip dysfunction.
Activity balance
The “weekend warrior” pattern is a major cause of hip injuries:
- Sedentary weekdays
- Intense weekend exercise
The hip struggles when load increases too quickly.
Body weight & inflammation
Extra weight increases hip joint forces dramatically:
- Walking load through the hip = 3–6× body weight
Small weight changes can significantly reduce pain and slow arthritis progression.
Sleep and recovery
Side sleeping without proper support often aggravates outer hip pain and bursitis.
What lifestyle care looks like in practice
- Adjusting sitting posture and frequency
- Gradual return-to-exercise plans
- Walking and daily movement goals
- Sleep positioning changes
- Long-term strength maintenance
Without lifestyle changes, symptoms often return even after good treatment.
What do you need to know about treating hip pain?
Final Takeaway!
When hip pain strikes, the most effective strategy isn’t a single treatment—it’s a layered plan.
The three most important treatment paths to seek out are:
- Movement-based rehab to rebuild strength and mechanics
- Manual therapy to reduce pain and restore mobility
- Lifestyle and load management to prevent recurrence
Hip pain is rarely caused by one factor—and the best recovery plans treat the whole picture. Give Kinesio Care Center a call today to get started on the road to recovery!
