How Do I Know If My Hip Pain Is Serious?

Hip pain can happen for many reasons. Sometimes it starts after a strenuous workout, a long walk, a slip and fall, or an awkward movement. In mild cases, the muscles and soft tissues around the hip may simply be bruised, strained, or irritated. These injuries can often improve with rest, ice, heat, and activity modification over a few days or weeks.

However, not all hip pain should be ignored. If your pain began after a car accident, fall, sports injury, or direct blow to the hip, it may be caused by something more serious. Hip pain that is severe, persistent, or limiting your ability to walk may point to an injury involving the joint, cartilage, tendons, ligaments, bones, or surrounding nerves.

In this blog from Greater Austin Pain Center, we’ll discuss how to tell when hip pain may be more than a minor strain, what symptoms may signal a serious injury, common types of hip injuries, and when to seek medical care.

Understanding Your Hip Injury

Understanding what led to your hip pain is one of the first steps in determining whether the injury may be serious. Think back to when the pain started. Did it happen after exercise? Did you fall? Were you in a car accident? Did you hear or feel a pop? Did the pain begin suddenly, or has it slowly worsened over time?

Hip pain can also show up in different areas depending on what is causing it. Some people feel pain in the groin, while others feel it on the outside of the hip, deep in the buttock, or along the back of the hip. Pain may also travel into the thigh, lower back, or leg if nerve-related pain is involved.

If your pain flares after strenuous activity but you are still able to walk, stand, and move normally, it may be related to muscle soreness, tendon irritation, or a mild strain. These types of injuries often improve with rest, ice, heat, gentle stretching, and avoiding the activity that triggered the pain.

But if your pain started after trauma, feels severe, or does not improve with home care, it may be time to see a specialist. Hip injuries can involve more than muscle soreness, especially when pain is accompanied by swelling, bruising, instability, weakness, or difficulty bearing weight.

Signs Your Hip Pain May Be Serious

Some hip injuries require medical attention, especially when symptoms interfere with walking, sleeping, or basic daily movement. You should consider seeking care if you experience:

• Sudden or severe hip pain after a fall, accident, or direct impact
• A popping sensation at the time of injury
• Immediate swelling or bruising around the hip
• Inability to stand, walk, or put weight on the affected leg
• Pain that worsens instead of improving
• Hip pain that lasts more than a few weeks
• Pain that radiates into the groin, thigh, buttock, or leg
• Stiffness or loss of range of motion
• Weakness, numbness, or tingling
• Pain that wakes you up at night
• A visible change in how you walk

These symptoms may be related to a tear, fracture, joint injury, tendon injury, nerve irritation, or another condition that should be evaluated by a medical professional. If symptoms began after an accident, Greater Austin Pain Center also treats personal injury and accident-related pain.

Common Causes of Hip Pain After an Injury

Hip pain can come from the joint itself, the muscles and tendons around the hip, the bursa, the pelvis, or even the lower back. Because several conditions can cause similar symptoms, an accurate diagnosis is important.

Muscle Strains

A hip strain occurs when one of the muscles or tendons around the hip is overstretched or torn. This can happen during sports, exercise, lifting, or sudden movements. Mild strains may cause soreness and stiffness, while more serious strains can cause sharp pain, swelling, bruising, and weakness.

Hip Bursitis

Hip bursitis happens when the small fluid-filled sacs that cushion the hip become inflamed. This often causes pain on the outside of the hip and may worsen when lying on the affected side, climbing stairs, standing for long periods, or walking.

Labral Tears

The hip labrum is a ring of cartilage that helps stabilize the hip joint. A labral tear can occur from trauma, repetitive twisting, sports injuries, or structural issues within the hip. Symptoms may include deep groin pain, clicking, catching, stiffness, or a feeling that the hip is unstable.

Tendon Injuries

Tendons around the hip can become irritated, inflamed, or torn. Hip tendon injuries may cause pain with walking, climbing stairs, standing from a seated position, or moving the leg in certain directions. These injuries can develop gradually or happen suddenly after trauma.

Hip Fractures

A hip fracture is a serious injury that is more common in older adults, especially after a fall. However, fractures can also occur in younger patients after high-impact trauma, such as a car accident or sports collision. Severe pain, inability to bear weight, bruising, swelling, or a leg that appears shortened or turned outward may indicate a fracture and requires urgent medical evaluation.

Dislocation or Joint Trauma

A hip dislocation occurs when the ball of the hip joint is forced out of the socket. This is usually caused by major trauma, such as a car crash or severe fall. It often causes intense pain, visible deformity, and inability to move the leg normally. This type of injury requires emergency care.

Nerve-Related Pain

Not all hip pain begins in the hip. Conditions affecting the lumbar spine, such as sciatica, radiculopathy, or nerve compression, can cause pain that travels into the hip, buttock, thigh, or leg. This may be accompanied by numbness, tingling, burning, or weakness.

Athletic Hip Injuries

Athletic hip injuries can happen to people of all ages. Sports that involve running, jumping, twisting, tackling, sudden stops, or direct contact can put stress on the hip joint and surrounding tissues. Athletes in football, basketball, hockey, martial arts, soccer, running, and similar activities may be more likely to experience hip injuries.

Some athletic hip injuries are mild and improve with rest, ice, stretching, and temporary changes in activity. Others may require physical therapy, medication, injections, or a more advanced treatment plan. Common athletic hip injuries include labral tears, hip flexor strains, tendon injuries, snapping hip syndrome, bursitis, and cartilage irritation.

For patients dealing with recurring pain from exercise, training, or competition, sports medicine care can help identify the cause of pain and support a safer return to movement.

If pain continues for more than a few weeks, keeps returning when you resume activity, or affects your ability to train, walk, or compete, it is worth seeing a specialist. Continuing to push through hip pain can sometimes make the injury worse and delay recovery.

Hip Injuries in Older Adults

Older adults are at higher risk for serious hip injuries, especially after a slip and fall. As people age, changes in bone density, joint health, balance, strength, and flexibility can increase the chance of injury. Even a fall that seems minor can lead to a fracture, soft tissue injury, or significant joint irritation.

Hip injuries in older adults are especially concerning because the hips play a major role in balance, walking, standing, and independence. Untreated hip pain can lead to reduced mobility, muscle weakness, chronic pain, and a greater risk of future falls.

Older adults should not ignore hip pain after a fall, even if the pain seems manageable at first. Medical evaluation can help rule out fractures and identify the right treatment plan before symptoms worsen. If arthritis or joint degeneration is contributing to symptoms, a specialist can also evaluate whether arthritis pain treatment may be appropriate.

How Hip Injuries Are Diagnosed

A proper diagnosis begins with a detailed evaluation. Your provider will ask about how the pain started, where the pain is located, what movements make it worse, and whether you have symptoms like swelling, weakness, numbness, or difficulty walking.

A physical exam may be used to assess the range of motion, tenderness, strength, gait, and signs of joint or nerve involvement. Depending on your symptoms, imaging may also be recommended. X-rays can help identify fractures, arthritis, or structural changes, while an MRI may be used to evaluate soft tissue injuries, labral tears, tendon problems, or more subtle joint damage.

In some cases, diagnostic injections may help determine whether the pain is coming from the hip joint, bursa, surrounding tissues, or another nearby structure. Greater Austin Pain Center offers a range of pain condition evaluations and treatment options based on each patient’s symptoms and diagnosis.

Treatment Options for Hip Pain After an Injury

Treatment depends on the cause and severity of the injury. Mild injuries may improve with conservative care, while more serious or persistent pain may require a customized treatment plan.

Rest and Activity Modification

Resting the injured area and avoiding movements that worsen pain can help reduce inflammation and prevent further irritation. This does not always mean complete inactivity. Your provider may recommend gentle movement or modified activity to prevent stiffness.

Ice, Heat, and Anti-Inflammatory Care

Ice may help reduce swelling and inflammation after a new injury, while heat may help relax tight muscles after the initial acute phase. Anti-inflammatory medications may also be recommended when appropriate.

Physical Therapy

Physical therapy can help improve strength, flexibility, balance, and movement patterns. For many hip injuries, therapy plays an important role in recovery and can help reduce the risk of future flare-ups.

Image-Guided Injections

For some patients, injections may help reduce inflammation and provide targeted pain relief. Depending on the diagnosis, this may include joint injections, corticosteroid injections, bursa injections, or other interventional pain treatments. Image guidance may be used to improve precision.

Nerve Blocks

If nerve irritation is contributing to hip, leg, or lower back pain, nerve blocks may be considered as part of a diagnostic or treatment plan. These injections can help identify pain sources and may provide relief for certain nerve-related pain conditions.

Advanced Pain Management

If hip pain is related to nerve irritation, spine conditions, or chronic joint dysfunction, a pain management specialist may recommend additional treatment options. Greater Austin Pain Center offers a full range of procedures and treatments designed to help patients manage pain and improve function.

How Treatment Helps Patients Recover and Move Better

The goal of hip injury treatment is not only to reduce pain. It is to help patients move more comfortably, return to daily activities, and avoid long-term limitations.

For patients with mild to moderate injuries, treatment can help reduce inflammation, improve mobility, and prevent the injury from becoming a recurring problem. Patients may find it easier to walk, climb stairs, sleep comfortably, exercise, and return to work or normal routines.

For athletes or active patients, the right treatment plan can support a safer return to movement. Instead of simply masking pain, care may focus on strengthening the muscles around the hip, improving flexibility, correcting movement patterns, and reducing the chance of reinjury.

For older adults, hip pain treatment can be especially important for maintaining independence. Reducing pain and improving stability may help lower the risk of future falls, preserve mobility, and support a better quality of life.

At Greater Austin Pain Center, treatment plans are tailored to the patient’s specific injury, symptoms, medical history, and goals. Whether your pain started after a workout, a fall, a car accident, or has been building over time, our team can help determine the source of your pain and recommend the next step toward relief.

When to See a Doctor for Hip Pain

You should consider seeing a doctor if your hip pain lasts longer than a few weeks, worsens over time, or affects your ability to walk, sleep, work, or exercise. You should seek care sooner if the pain began after a fall, car accident, sports injury, or direct trauma.

Hip pain may seem minor at first, but untreated injuries can sometimes lead to chronic pain, movement limitations, or compensating problems in the lower back, knees, or opposite hip. Early evaluation can help you understand what is causing your symptoms and what treatment options may help.

If your symptoms include radiating pain, numbness, tingling, or pain that travels into the leg, your provider may also evaluate related conditions such as leg pain, nerve pain, or lower back involvement.

Experiencing Hip Pain in the Greater Austin Area?

If you’re experiencing hip pain that has lasted longer than a few weeks, started after an injury, or is limiting your ability to move comfortably, Greater Austin Pain Center is here to help.

Our Austin pain specialists diagnose and treat many causes of hip pain, including sports injuries, fall-related injuries, arthritis, bursitis, tendon pain, nerve-related pain, and chronic hip conditions. We use our experience to develop personalized treatment plans based on your diagnosis, symptoms, and goals.

Greater Austin Pain Center serves patients at convenient locations in Austin, Dripping Springs, San Marcos, and Kyle. You can also view all locations online.

While hip injuries can be stressful, the right care can help you regain comfort, improve mobility, and get back to the activities that matter most. To learn more, contact Greater Austin Pain Center today.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I know if my hip injury is serious?

A hip injury may be serious if you have severe pain, swelling, bruising, difficulty walking, inability to bear weight, or pain that started after a fall, car accident, or direct impact. A popping sensation, visible deformity, or worsening pain should also be evaluated by a medical professional. If symptoms are ongoing, a hip pain specialist can help determine the cause.

When should I see a doctor for hip pain?

You should see a doctor if hip pain lasts more than a few weeks, affects your sleep, limits your ability to walk, or does not improve with rest and home care. You should seek care sooner if the pain starts after trauma or is severe.

Can hip pain go away on its own?

Mild hip pain caused by muscle soreness or a minor strain may improve with rest, ice, heat, and activity modification. However, pain that persists, worsens, or returns with activity may need a professional evaluation.

What are the most common causes of hip pain after a fall?

Hip pain after a fall may be caused by bruising, muscle strain, bursitis, tendon injury, labral injury, fracture, or joint trauma. Older adults are at greater risk for fractures after a fall and should be evaluated even if symptoms seem mild at first.

What does a hip labral tear feel like?

A hip labral tear may cause deep groin pain, clicking, catching, stiffness, or a feeling that the hip is unstable. Pain may worsen with twisting, pivoting, sitting for long periods, or athletic activity.

Can a car accident cause hip pain?

Yes. A car accident can cause hip pain due to direct impact, seatbelt force, twisting trauma, muscle strain, joint injury, fracture, or nerve irritation. If hip pain develops after an accident, Greater Austin Pain Center can evaluate auto accident and personal injury pain.

Why does my hip hurt when I walk?

Hip pain while walking may be caused by arthritis, bursitis, tendon irritation, muscle strain, labral injury, or nerve-related pain. The location of the pain and the way it changes with movement can help your provider identify the cause.

Why does my hip hurt when I lie on my side?

Pain when lying on one side is often associated with hip bursitis or irritation of the soft tissues on the outside of the hip. If the pain continues or affects sleep, a specialist can help determine the cause and recommend treatment.

Can hip pain come from my back?

Yes. Lower back conditions can cause pain that travels into the hip, buttock, thigh, or leg. Nerve irritation, sciatica, and spinal arthritis can sometimes mimic hip pain, which is why diagnosis is important.

What tests are used to diagnose hip pain?

Diagnosis may include a physical exam, symptom review, medical history, X-rays, MRI, or diagnostic injections. The right tests depend on your symptoms, how the pain started, and whether your provider suspects joint, soft tissue, bone, or nerve involvement.

What treatments are available for hip injuries?

Treatment may include rest, activity modification, physical therapy, anti-inflammatory medication, joint injections, nerve blocks, or other pain management options. The best treatment depends on the cause and severity of the injury.

Can injections help hip pain after an injury?

Yes. Injections may help reduce inflammation and provide targeted pain relief for certain hip injuries or chronic hip conditions. Your provider may recommend an injection if inflammation, bursitis, arthritis, or joint irritation is contributing to your pain.

Is hip pain more serious in older adults?

Hip pain after a fall can be more serious in older adults because of the higher risk of fractures, reduced bone density, and balance concerns. Older adults should seek medical evaluation after a fall, especially if pain affects walking or weight-bearing.

What happens if a hip injury is left untreated?

An untreated hip injury may lead to chronic pain, reduced mobility, weakness, changes in how you walk, or added stress on the lower back, knees, and opposite hip. Getting the right diagnosis early can help prevent symptoms from becoming more difficult to manage.

Can physical therapy help hip pain?

Yes. Physical therapy can help strengthen the muscles around the hip, improve flexibility, support better movement, and reduce the risk of future injury. It is often an important part of recovery for both athletic injuries and chronic hip pain.