What is a hip injury?

The hip is a deep ball-and-socket joint surrounded by strong muscles, tendons, and a ring of cartilage called the labrum that helps cushion and stabilize it. A hip injury can affect any of these structures. Common soft-tissue injuries include hip flexor and groin strains, hamstring and gluteal strains, and trochanteric bursitis, which is inflammation of the fluid-filled sac on the outer hip. Labral tears affect the cartilage rim and can follow a twisting injury or repetitive stress. Falls, especially in older adults or on a hard surface, and the sudden forces of a car accident are frequent causes. Where the pain is felt often hints at the structure involved: groin pain suggests the joint itself, while outer-hip pain points to the bursa or tendons.

A side-impact collision is the crash mechanism most likely to load the hip directly, since the door and armrest transmit force straight into the joint.

Hip injury symptoms

Symptoms depend on which tissue is injured and may build gradually or appear suddenly after trauma. Common symptoms include:

• Pain in the groin, outer hip, buttock, or front of the thigh
• Pain with walking, climbing stairs, or rising from a chair
• Tenderness over the outer hip, worse when lying on that side
• Stiffness and reduced range of motion in the joint
• Clicking, catching, or locking with certain movements, which can suggest a labral tear
• A sense of weakness or the hip giving way

How a hip injury is diagnosed

Diagnosis starts with an exam that locates the pain, tests hip range of motion and strength, and uses specific maneuvers to distinguish joint problems from tendon, muscle, or bursa issues. Because a serious fall can cause a fracture, an X-ray is often ordered, particularly when weight-bearing is painful or in older adults. When a labral tear, tendon tear, or deep soft-tissue injury is suspected, an MRI provides a detailed view of the cartilage and surrounding tissue. Identifying whether the pain comes from inside the joint or the surrounding structures directs treatment.

Hip injury treatment

Many hip injuries, including strains, bursitis, and some labral tears, are managed without surgery. Treatment focuses on calming irritated tissue, correcting movement patterns, and rebuilding the strength of the muscles that support the hip and pelvis. A structured rehabilitation program is central to recovery. Non-surgical options include:

• Physical therapy with hip and core strengthening and mobility work
• Activity modification and a graded return-to-activity plan
• Manual therapy and chiropractic care to address gait and pelvic alignment
• Stretching programs for tight hip flexors and outer-hip structures
• Pain-management techniques for inflammation and discomfort

Recovery & when to see a doctor

Recovery depends on the structure injured; muscle strains and bursitis often improve over several weeks with rehabilitation, while labral and tendon injuries can take longer. Strengthening the muscles around the hip and pelvis helps protect the joint and reduce the chance of recurring pain. Seek prompt evaluation if you cannot bear weight after a fall, if the leg looks shortened or turned outward, if pain is severe or rapidly worsening, or if symptoms have not improved with initial care. If you were discharged from an ER or urgent care after a fall or accident, your hip can be re-evaluated and a rehabilitation plan started. Call (631) 560-8357 to schedule an evaluation.

Related care at Injury Recovery MD

• slip and fall injury
• no-fault injury

Long Island offices & service areas

We treat patients across Nassau and Suffolk County from offices including Medford, Islandia, East Islip, Mineola, Bohemia, Smithtown and Stony Brook. Find your nearest office →

Not near one of our offices? We can help arrange transportation to your appointment, or coordinate your care with providers in our Long Island network — call (631) 560-8357 to ask.

hip injury FAQ

Why does my hip hurt in the groin versus the outer side?

Groin pain often points to a problem inside the hip joint, such as a labral tear, while outer-hip pain more often comes from the bursa or nearby tendons. Where the pain is located helps guide the exam and any imaging.

Do I need surgery for a labral tear?

Many labral tears are managed without surgery using physical therapy and activity modification to support the joint. Surgery is considered in select cases when symptoms persist despite a course of conservative care.

Will No-Fault or Workers’ Comp cover my hip injury treatment?

If your hip injury resulted from a car accident, New York No-Fault generally covers eligible treatment, and if it happened at work, Workers’ Comp generally applies. In covered cases, eligible visits are $0 out of pocket.

Could my hip pain actually be coming from my back?

Yes — lower-back and nerve problems commonly refer pain into the buttock, outer hip, and thigh, and a pinched nerve can closely mimic a hip injury. Pain felt deep in the groin points more toward the joint itself, while pain travelling below the knee with tingling points toward the spine. The exam is built to tell them apart before imaging is ordered.

Why does my hip hurt most when I lie on it at night?

Side-lying compresses the bursa and tendons on the outer hip against the bone, which is why trochanteric bursitis and gluteal tendon problems are often worst in bed. Positioning changes, such as a pillow between the knees, can reduce that pressure while the tissue settles. Night pain that keeps waking you is a reasonable reason to be examined.

After a pelvic ring injury

Hip and groin pain that follows a high-energy crash or a fall from height may be coming from the pelvic ring rather than the hip joint itself. See broken pelvis recovery and rehab.