Inflammation or detrition of the hip joint can lead to pain. Patients may have pain with getting out of bed, bearing weight, walking, or sitting for a prolonged time. Patients may experience a “crunching” feeling their hip.
Bursa is a fluid filled space provides cushioning around joints between bones and tendons. There may be inflammation around this bursa. Pain will typically be on the lateral aspect of the thigh, worse with walking and pressure.
There are multiple muscles and tendons that attach or originate from the hip joint. Irritated bands of muscle can result in aches, spasm, or tightness which can lead to pain over a remote area. This phenomenon is known as referred pain, caused by “trigger points” (irritated muscle bands) can often times can cause hip pain.
Compression of certain nerves leaving the spinal cord can lead to sharp shooting pain in the hip.