Hip pain isn’t always as obvious as you might think. Sometimes, it shows up in subtle ways, like a dull ache in your groin or a little extra stiffness when you get out of bed.
And because these symptoms can come and go, it’s easy to brush them off as a normal part of getting older.
“Hip arthritis often starts gradually,” says Nimit Patel, MD, with Hartford HealthCare. “People notice pain with certain movements before they realize the joint itself may be the problem.”
The key is recognizing early signs that help you address your hip problems before they start interfering with your life.
Here’s what to look for and when it’s time to see a specialist.
1. You have pain deep in your groin
When people think of hip pain, they think of pain along the outside of the hip. But hip arthritis pain tends to cause pain deep in the groin or front of the hip.
It might feel like a deep ache that’s hard to pinpoint or doesn’t improve with stretching.
“Pain from hip arthritis is often felt in the groin because that’s where the joint tends to refer pain,” Dr. Patel says. “Patients are sometimes surprised to learn that groin pain can actually be coming from the hip.”
That doesn’t mean every ache in your groin is arthritis. But if the pain keeps coming back, especially when you’re walking or standing, it’s worth getting checked.
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2. Your hip feels stiff after sitting or sleeping
A little morning stiffness isn’t unusual. But if your hip regularly feels stiff when you get out of bed or stand up after sitting for a while, arthritis could be the cause.
With hip arthritis, stiffness usually improves once you get moving. You might feel uncomfortable for the first few steps, then notice that your hip gradually loosens up.
“People often tell me they feel better once they get moving,” Dr. Patel says. “But the stiffness keeps coming back after periods of rest.”
If that pattern sounds familiar, pay attention to how often it happens and whether the stiffness is getting worse.
> Related: Why Your Hip Pops When You Move (and When to Worry)
3. Your range of motion isn’t what it used to be
One of the less obvious signs of hip arthritis is losing some of your range of motion.
You might notice it when you’re putting on socks or shoes, or getting in and out of the car. Suddenly, movements that used to feel natural now seem to require a little more effort.
And because these changes tend to happen gradually, you might start adjusting how you move without even realizing it.
“Loss of motion is a big clue,” Dr. Patel says. “When the hip joint gets stiff, people often start compensating without realizing it.”
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4. Walking or standing makes the pain worse
Hip arthritis pain usually becomes more noticeable during activities that put weight on the joint.
You might feel fine while sitting, but then notice an ache after walking through the grocery store or spending a long time on your feet.
The pain may ease when you rest, then come back again when you start moving.
That pattern is different from soreness that shows up once in a while, or fades after a day or two.
> Related: Why Your Hips Hurt as You Age
5. You’ve started to change the way you walk
Sometimes, the biggest clue isn’t the pain itself, but instead how your body responds to it.
You might catch yourself limping or leaning away from the painful side, or avoiding stairs without really thinking about it.
Over time, those small changes can put extra stress on your back, knees or other hip.
“When pain changes how you walk, it can start creating problems in other areas,” Dr. Patel says. “That’s one reason it’s important not to wait too long.”
> Related: Can Exercise Prevent Arthritis?
6. The pain keeps coming back
Everyone has aches and pains from time to time, but arthritis pain is more persistent.
Even if it doesn’t hurt every second of the day, you may find that the pain keeps returning, especially after the same activities. And over time, it may takes less activity to bring the pain on.
A doctor can help figure out whether your symptoms are coming from hip arthritis or whether something else is going on.
> Related: The Arthritis Treatments Doctors Turn to Most — and How They Help
When to see a doctor for hip pain
An occasional sore hip doesn’t necessarily mean something is wrong. But if the pain or stiffness keeps coming back or everyday activities are getting more difficult, it’s time to get it checked.
Your doctor can help determine whether arthritis is the cause and recommend treatment based on your symptoms.
“Hip arthritis is very treatable,” Dr. Patel says. “The goal is to reduce pain and help people stay active for as long as possible.”
