Hip Pain: Causes, Warning Signs & When to See an Hip Specialist

Published: August 2026 | Medically Reviewed by Dr. Tanvir Hasan Siddique

Hip pain is one of the most common reasons people visit an orthopedic specialist. It affects young adults, working people, and the elderly alike. If your hip has been hurting, you are not alone — and you don’t need to have all the answers before you seek help.

Maybe you feel it when you stand up after sitting on the floor. Maybe it catches you when you rise from prayer, or when you take your first steps in the morning. These small daily moments tell you something is wrong, even before a doctor gives it a name.

This page will help you understand what might be causing the pain, how serious it could be, and when it is time to see a specialist.

Why Does Hip Pain Happen?

The hip is a large, weight-bearing joint that carries your body every time you walk, stand, climb stairs, or lift weight. It moves every time you sit on the floor, kneel for namaz, or bend to reach something low. Because it works so hard every single day, it is one of the joints most likely to suffer from strain, injury, or slow wear over time.

Not knowing the cause of your pain can feel frightening — especially when the pain came on suddenly, or has been building for weeks. Here is the reassuring part: most hip pain can be addressed well, especially when you act early.

What Are the Most Common Causes of Hip Pain?

Hip pain (হিপ ব্যথার কারণ) rarely has a single cause. More often, a few things add up together. According to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS) and the Mayo Clinic, the most common causes include:

• Overuse or repetitive strain — Too much activity without enough rest can inflame the soft tissue and tendons around the hip.
• Injury — A sudden fall, twist, or impact can damage muscles, tendons, or the joint itself. This usually causes immediate pain.
• Arthritis — One of the leading causes of long-term hip pain, especially in older adults. We explore this in depth on our arthritis and joint pain page, so this article keeps it brief.
• Bursitis — Small fluid-filled sacs cushion the hip. When they become inflamed, they cause pain, often on the side of the hip.
• Tendon problems — Inflammation of the tendons around the hip. It is common in people who walk, run, or climb stairs often.
• Referred pain from the lower back — Sometimes the hip hurts because of a problem higher up. The lower back can send pain downward.
• Gradual wear over time — Years of daily load can slowly wear the joint, leading to stiffness and ache.

This is a high-level overview of the most common causes. For a deeper look at how causes relate to specific pain patterns and locations, see our hip pain causes and pain patterns page. Your doctor will examine your hip and your history to find out what is actually happening for you.

How Serious Is Your Hip Pain?

Not all hip pain needs the same response. This simple four-level guide can help you decide what to do next.

What Does Hip Pain Feel Like? Understanding Your Symptoms

The location, type, and timing of your pain are all useful clues. When you can describe where it hurts, what it feels like, and when it bothers you most, your doctor can find the cause faster. Take a moment to notice these details before your visit.

Where Is the Pain?

• Front or groin — Often related to the joint itself
• Side of the hip — Side hip pain may point to bursitis or a tendon problem
• Hip and buttock — Pain in the hip and buttock (হিপ ও নিতম্বে ব্যথা) can sometimes come from the lower back
• Back of the hip — May be linked to muscle tightness or referred pain

What Type of Pain Is It?

• Sharp — Often from an injury or sudden strain
• Dull and achy — Common with arthritis or overuse
• Stiffness — A tight feeling that limits how far the hip moves
• Catching or giving way — May point to a joint problem worth checking

When Does Hip Pain Occur?

Think about your own day. Many patients tell us the pain shows up in these moments:

• Going up or down stairs
• Standing up after sitting on the floor
• Rising from the floor after namaz
• Taking the first steps in the morning
• During or after long walks
• In the evening or at night

If you recognize your own hip pain symptoms in this list, that is exactly the kind of detail worth sharing with your doctor. Your pain pattern is explored in more detail on our hip pain causes and pain patterns page.

How Is Hip Pain Treated?

Most hip pain is treated without surgery, using a mix of rest, physiotherapy, and other simple measures matched to the cause. A proper evaluation always comes first, because the right treatment plan depends on what is actually driving your symptoms.

For a full look at the available options — and when each one makes sense — see our hip pain treatment page. If conservative care does not help, your doctor may discuss further pathways, such as hip replacement surgery. These are explained fully on their own pages, so you can read about them when you are ready.

The right plan for you will be decided after a proper evaluation. No two patients are the same.

When Should You See an Orthopedic Specialist for Hip Pain?

You should see an orthopedic specialist if your hip pain is severe, keeps getting worse, followed an injury, or has not improved after two weeks. In practical terms: if your pain falls into Level 3 or Level 4 above — or if Level 2 symptoms have not eased after two weeks — it is time to get checked. If the pain is affecting your ability to walk, our when to seek care for hip pain page can help you understand that side of things in more detail.

An orthopedic evaluation is not complicated. Your doctor will ask about your symptoms, examine the hip, and may arrange imaging such as an X-ray. The aim is not to alarm you. It is to understand what is happening so you can start recovering.

Dr. Tanvir Hasan Siddique sees patients at two locations in Dhaka:

• IBN Sina D. Lab, Malibagh, Dhaka
• Rashmono Specialized Hospital, Moghbazar, Dhaka

Visiting hours: Sunday, Tuesday, and Thursday evenings

Book an Evaluation with Dr. Tanvir →

Frequently Asked Questions About Hip Pain

Is hip pain serious?

It depends on the cause. Mild pain after activity is usually not serious. Pain that is severe, worsening, or followed a fall should be assessed promptly. Early review is always better than waiting.

Can hip pain go away on its own?

Minor soreness from overuse often settles with rest. But pain that lasts more than two weeks, keeps coming back, or is getting progressively worse needs medical assessment. Don’t leave it too long.

What is the most common cause of hip pain in adults?

According to the AAOS and Mayo Clinic, arthritis and overuse are the most common causes of hip pain in adults. In younger people, strains and injuries are more frequent. Because the cause varies from person to person, a proper examination matters.

Why does my hip hurt when I walk?

Hip pain while walking often points to joint strain, early wear, or a soft-tissue problem. If the pain eases with rest, it is usually less urgent. If walking becomes consistently painful or more difficult each day, see an orthopedic specialist.

Why do I have pain in my hip and buttock?

Pain in the hip and buttock (হিপ ও নিতম্বে ব্যথা) can come from the hip joint itself, or from a problem in the lower back that sends pain downward — what clinicians call referred pain. Most causes are treatable. If the pain is severe or does not settle, have it checked.

What does side hip pain usually mean?

Side hip pain often relates to bursitis or a tendon problem around the outer hip. It can flare when you lie on that side or climb stairs. Rest often helps, but persistent side hip pain should be assessed by a specialist.

Is it normal to have hip pain after sitting on the floor?

Pain or stiffness after sitting on the floor, especially when standing up, is a common early symptom of joint wear or muscle tightness. If it resolves quickly, it may not need urgent attention. If it persists or worsens, it is worth discussing with an orthopedic specialist.

When should I see a doctor for hip pain in Dhaka?

See a doctor if your pain is severe, followed an injury, has lasted more than two weeks, is worsening, or is affecting your ability to walk or sleep. If you cannot put weight on the leg, or the hip looks visibly wrong after a fall, seek care the same day.

Take the Next Step

Hip pain does not have to limit your daily life. Early evaluation gives you clarity — and more options. The sooner the cause is understood, the sooner you can start recovering.

Book an Appointment with Dr. Tanvir →

You may also find these pages useful:

• Hip pain causes and pain patterns →
• Hip pain treatment →
• When to seek care for hip pain →
• Arthritis and joint pain →
• Hip replacement surgery →