PhysioMatchLondon

Hip pain: causes, pain at night and when to worry

Based on NHS guidance, last reviewed by the NHS on 20 November 2025.

Reviewed by Harvir Ubhi, HCPC-registered physiotherapist. Last reviewed 28 September 2026.

Physiotherapist checking the movement of a patient's hip

The short version: where your hip hurts, and when, usually points to the cause. Hip pain can also come from the lower back or buttock. Keep moving, use ice and painkillers, and see a GP if it isn't better after 2 weeks or it's disturbing your sleep. Call 999 if you can't walk after a fall.

What's causing your hip pain?

Use this as a guide to where hip pain comes from. It's based on the NHS list plus our back and buttock guides, and it isn't a diagnosis: a GP or physio can examine you and tell you for sure.

What you noticePossible cause
Over 45, pain worse when walking, and stiff after movingOsteoarthritis
Pain and stiffness worse after not moving, like when you wake upRheumatoid arthritis
Pain, swelling or bruising after hard or repetitive exercise, like runningA sprain, strain or tendonitis
Pain that may spread into your thighBursitis
Pain in the buttock and hip that travels down the leg, often with back painSciatica, often from a slipped disc
Pain deep in the buttock, worse sitting on a hard chairPiriformis syndrome
Pain low down at the back of the pelvis, near the base of the spineSacroiliac (SI) joint pain
Hot, swollen hip and a high temperatureA joint infection: get urgent help
Severe pain and you can't walk after a fallA broken hip: call 999

Lower back and hip pain together

If your back hurts too, the problem may not be in the hip joint at all. The NHS lists pain in the buttocks, hips or legs as a symptom of a slipped disc pressing on the sciatic nerve. Our guides on lower back pain, sciatica and SI joint pain explain how to tell them apart.

Hip pain at night, when walking and after running

Hip pain at night

Pain that disturbs your sleep is one of the NHS reasons to see a GP. So is hip stiffness that lasts more than 30 minutes after you wake up.

Hip pain when walking

If you're over 45 and it's worse when you walk, with stiffness after moving, osteoarthritis is a likely cause. Keep moving within what's comfortable, and wear shock-absorbing shoes.

Hip pain after running

Pain, swelling or bruising after hard or repetitive exercise is likely to be a sprain, strain or tendonitis. Ease off running while it settles, then build back up gradually.

What helps hip pain

  1. 1

    Keep moving

    Stay as active as you can without overdoing it. Gentle hip stretches help.

  2. 2

    Ice

    An ice pack or bag of frozen peas wrapped in a towel for up to 20 minutes every 2 to 3 hours.

  3. 3

    Painkillers

    Paracetamol, or ibuprofen gel or tablets. A pharmacist can tell you what's safe for you.

  4. 4

    Take the load off

    Wear comfortable, shock-absorbing shoes. Avoid carrying heavy things and sitting in low chairs. Losing weight helps if you're overweight.

  5. 5

    Physiotherapy

    A physio finds where the pain is really coming from, hip, back or buttock, and gives you exercises for that cause. Many areas let you refer yourself to NHS physio.

  6. 6

    Further treatment

    A GP may offer stronger painkillers, a steroid injection, occupational therapy or a referral for a scan. Hip replacement is for severe cases.

Seeing a physio for hip pain

You don't need a GP referral to see a private physio. In London a first appointment usually costs £70 to £130. Tell us where it hurts and a HCPC-registered physiotherapist on our team will match you with someone who treats hip and back pain regularly.

It's free, and most people hear back within 24 hours.

Get matched freeCompare London clinics

When to see a GP

The NHS says see a GP if:

  • hip pain is stopping you doing normal activities or sleeping
  • the pain is getting worse or keeps coming back
  • it hasn't improved after 2 weeks of treating it at home
  • your hip is stiff for more than 30 minutes after you wake up

Hip pain questions

Is hip pain at night a sign of cancer?

Hip pain at night can come from any of the causes in the table, such as arthritis or bursitis. But pain that disturbs your sleep is one of the NHS reasons to see a GP, and if you also feel generally unwell with a high temperature, get an urgent appointment or call NHS 111. A GP can look at the whole picture and check anything that needs checking.

What can cause hip pain in a woman?

The same causes apply to women and men. Two extra things to know: pregnancy hormones and the extra load on the pelvis can make the sacroiliac joints painful, and hip pain can also come from the back or buttock.

Why have I got sudden hip pain without an injury?

Severe hip pain that starts suddenly without an injury needs checking quickly. The NHS says get an urgent GP appointment or call NHS 111, especially if the hip is hot or swollen, or you feel unwell with a temperature.

Does it matter if it's my left or right hip?

Not for the cause. The same problems affect either side. What matters more is where exactly it hurts and what makes it worse, which is what the table above is based on.

Is walking good for hip pain?

The NHS advice is to keep moving if you can, without overdoing it. Comfortable, shock-absorbing shoes help. Avoid carrying heavy things and sitting in low chairs, which put extra pressure on your hips.

Related: lower back pain · piriformis syndrome · SI joint pain · knee pain

Get urgent help

Call 999 or go to A&E if, after a fall or injury:

  • the pain is severe
  • you can't walk or put weight on your leg
  • you have tingling or numbness in your leg

Call NHS 111 or get an urgent GP appointment if:

  • you have severe hip pain that started suddenly without an injury
  • your hip is swollen and hot
  • the skin around your hip has changed colour
  • you have hip pain, feel generally unwell and have a high temperature

Sources

This page is general information, not medical advice. If you're worried about your symptoms, speak to a GP, call NHS 111, or in an emergency call 999.

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