Why Does My Hip Hurt?

By Dr. Eleanor Smith, DPT
Medically Reviewed by Dr. Alex Roberts, BSc Physiology
Last Updated: January 2026

Hip pain can be confusing because it often feels deep, vague, or hard to pinpoint.

Some people feel it when walking. Others when sitting. Some only on one side.

Hip pain isn’t always a hip joint problem.

Common Causes Of Hip Pain

Hip pain can come from:

• Joint irritation or stiffness
  
  

• Muscle tightness around the hip
  
  

• Nerve irritation passing through the hip
  
  

• Imbalance between hip and lower back movement
  
  

This is why hip pain often overlaps with lower back or leg pain.

Hip Pain When Sitting Or Walking

If your hip hurts:

• When sitting for long periods
  
  

• When standing up from a chair
  
  

• When walking or putting weight on one leg
  
  

The issue may not be inside the joint itself.

Pain that changes with position often points to nerve involvement.

Hip Pain On One Side Only

One-sided hip pain is common and meaningful.

Pain only on the left or right side can indicate:

• Nerve irritation rather than arthritis
  
  

• Compensation from the lower back
  
  

• Pressure where nerves pass near the hip
  
  

This becomes more likely if pain spreads down the leg.

Find out the difference between nerve pain vs muscle pain here.

Hip Pain That Radiates Down The Leg

When hip pain travels into the thigh, calf, or foot, it often signals nerve involvement.

This type of pain may feel:

• Burning
  
  

• Achy and deep
  
  

• Sharp or electric
  
  

This is why many people ask whether hip pain is related to sciatica.

Is Hip Pain Related To Sciatica?

Sciatica commonly passes through the hip region before travelling down the leg.

That means hip pain can be an early or partial sign of sciatic nerve irritation.

Understanding the symptoms helps avoid treating the wrong problem.

Not sure if you have sciatica? Find complete symptoms of sciatica here and confirm. Click Below.

Symptoms Of Sciatica