Where is Hip Arthritis Pain Felt?
Hip arthritis is a common condition that can significantly impact daily life. One of the most frequent questions people ask is: Where is hip arthritis pain felt? Understanding the exact location and nature of the pain can help identify the condition early and seek appropriate treatment.
In this blog, we will discuss the areas where is pain from hip arthritis felt and explain why it occurs.

What Is Hip Arthritis?
Hip arthritis is pain and stiffness in your hip joint, which occurs when the cartilage in the hip joint wears down over time.
Cartilage acts as a cushion to your joint, allowing smooth movement. Arthritis causes inflammation and swelling in these tissues, causing pain, stiffness, and limited mobility.
The most common type of hip arthritis is osteoarthritis (OA), which develops with age due to wear and tear. However, other forms like rheumatoid arthritis, post-traumatic arthritis, and inflammatory arthritis can also affect the hip joint.
What are the Symptoms of Hip Arthritis?
Arthritis in your hip can cause:
- Pain and stiffness when your hip joint moves.
- Difficulty moving the hip joint freely, such as bending or rotating the leg.
- A grinding or locking sensation when you move your hip.
- Swelling and tenderness of the hip joint.
- An audible crackling or clicking sound when it moves.
- Weakness in surrounding muscles or joint instability.
Where is Hip Arthritis Pain Felt?
Hip arthritis pain typically develops gradually over a span of several years as the protective cartilage in the hip joint deteriorates.
In some cases, however, the pain may appear suddenly following an acute injury, particularly if arthritis is already present. Such injuries can accelerate joint damage and trigger inflammation.
If you’re wondering where is hip arthritis pain felt, it typically occurs in the hips and surrounding areas, such as the lower back, groin, and buttocks. Among these, the groin is the most common location for hip pain.
Sometimes, pain can occur as far away as the knee or ankle. This is called “referred pain” because it results from increased strain on those areas as you compensate for your inflamed hip joint.

Characteristics of Hip Arthritis Pain
- Pain is often dull, achy, or sharp during movement.
- Worsens with weight-bearing activities like walking or standing.
- Improves with rest, but in advanced stages, pain may persist during inactivity or at night.
Why Does Hip Arthritis Cause Pain in These Areas?
Hip arthritis causes pain in surrounding areas due to the connections between the hip joint, nerves, and muscles.
The hip is a ball-and-socket joint that bears much of the body’s weight and facilitates movement. When arthritis damages the cartilage, the joint becomes inflamed, leading to discomfort that can radiate.
Pain in the groin is common because the hip joint is located deep in this area. The inflammation can also irritate nearby nerves, such as the sciatic nerve, causing pain to travel down the buttocks, thigh, or even the knee.
Additionally, as the hip loses mobility, surrounding muscles like the glutes and lower back muscles work harder to compensate, leading to pain in the lower back and buttocks.
Over time, the strain on these areas worsens, amplifying discomfort and limiting movement.
What is the Treatment for Hip Arthritis?
The best treatment for hip arthritis depends on its type and severity. Regardless of the type, Dr Hesham usually starts by recommending conservative therapies and lifestyle changes.
Conservative treatment for hip arthritis includes:
- Lifestyle Modifications: Reduce stress on your hip joint by making changes such as losing weight, altering job activities, or avoiding certain tasks.
- Heat and Cold Therapy: Ice or gel packs help reduce inflammation, while heat pads or warm baths can relax stiff joints and ease discomfort.
- Physical Therapy: Gentle exercises are crucial for maintaining joint flexibility and strength, particularly when reducing high-impact activities.
- Pain Relievers: Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are effective for reducing both pain and inflammation. Additionally, topical pain relief products can offer localized relief and enhance comfort.
- Injections and Medications: Treatments such as corticosteroid injections, hyaluronic acid injections, platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy, vitamin and mineral supplements, and immunosuppressive or biologic medications can effectively manage pain and reduce inflammation.
- Assistive Devices: Walking aids such as a cane, walker, or shoe inserts provide support when walking.
When other treatments are no longer effective, hip surgery can offer relief. Surgical treatments for hip arthritis include:
- Hip Resurfacing: In hip resurfacing, Dr Hesham removes the damaged bone and cartilage from your hip joint’s ball and socket. These surfaces are then replaced with a metal cap and shell, allowing for smooth, friction-free movement and reducing pain.
- Total Hip Replacement: This total hip replacement procedure involves replacing both the hip socket and the femoral head with prosthetic components. This procedure can significantly improve mobility and is known for its durability, with prosthetics typically lasting several decades.
- Partial Hip Replacement: In a partial replacement, Dr Hesham replaces only the ball of the hip joint and leaves the socket intact.
Contact Dr Hesham Al-Khateeb for Hip Arthritis Treatment in Dubai
If you’re experiencing discomfort or pain from hip arthritis and wondering where is hip arthritis pain felt, don’t hesitate to contact Dr. Hesham Al-Khateeb for personalized care and treatment options. Known as one of the best knee and hip doctors in Dubai, Dr. Hesham is a renowned expert in hip and knee replacements and sports injuries, bringing years of experience to every patient he treats.