Pain around the hip, groin, buttock or pelvis is common at every age, from young people who play sport to older adults with joint wear and tear. Where you feel the pain often gives a useful clue: the groin, the outside of the hip, the buttock or the back of the pelvis can each point to different structures. Most of these problems are managed well with a clear diagnosis, the right kind of exercise and sensible changes to activity.
Common hip & pelvis conditions
Hip osteoarthritis (hip OA, arthritis of the hip)
Hip osteoarthritis is a long-term condition where the cartilage and bone in the hip joint change, causing pain, stiffness and reduced movement.
Read more→Outer hip pain (greater trochanteric pain syndrome) (gluteal tendinopathy, trochanteric bursitis)
Greater trochanteric pain syndrome is pain and tenderness on the outside of the hip, most often caused by irritated gluteal tendons rather than a true bursitis.
Read more→Hip impingement (FAI syndrome) (femoroacetabular impingement syndrome, FAI)
Hip impingement, or femoroacetabular impingement (FAI) syndrome, is hip pain caused by abnormal contact between the ball and socket of the hip, linked to differences in bone shape.
Read more→Groin pain in athletes (adductor-related) (adductor-related groin pain, groin strain)
Adductor-related groin pain is pain at the inner groin where the adductor (inner thigh) muscles attach to the pubic bone, and it is the most common type of groin pain in sport.
Read more→Sacroiliac joint pain (SIJ pain, sacroiliac joint dysfunction)
Sacroiliac joint pain is pain coming from the joints that connect the base of the spine to the pelvis, usually felt low in the back or buttock on one side.
Read more→High hamstring tendinopathy (proximal hamstring tendinopathy, PHT)
High hamstring tendinopathy is pain and reduced function in the hamstring tendons where they attach to the sitting bone at the base of the buttock.
Read more→
Getting the right help
Not sure which of these fits? Our team can assess what is going on, explain it clearly and point you to the right care, including referral back to your GP where that is the better route.
Other areas
- Head and jaw pain
- Neck pain
- Shoulder pain
- Elbow pain
- Wrist and hand pain
- Upper back and chest wall pain
- Lower back pain
- Knee pain
- Shin and calf pain
- Ankle and foot pain
- Pain in pregnancy and after birth
- Aches and pains in children and young people
This page is general information, not a diagnosis. If you are worried about your symptoms, speak to your GP or call NHS 111.
