Femoroacetabular joint
The femoral head fits deeply into the acetabulum, providing substantial bony stability while still allowing flexion, extension, rotation, and abduction.
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Pain frequency55
Recovery length60
Exercise load55
Clinician need65
Self-care fit45
Recurrence risk55
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Quick answers
What causes hip pain in older adults?
Osteoarthritis is among the most common causes of hip pain after middle age, involving gradual breakdown of the joint's cartilage and associated changes in the surrounding bone and soft tissue.
What is greater trochanteric pain syndrome?
Greater trochanteric pain syndrome describes pain at the outer hip related to irritation of the gluteal tendons or the nearby bursa, often mistaken in the past for bursitis alone.
What is femoroacetabular impingement?
Femoroacetabular impingement describes abnormal contact between the femoral head and the hip socket during certain movements, related to subtle variations in bone shape, which can contribute to groin pain and reduced range of motion in some individuals.
Does hip osteoarthritis always require surgery?
Many cases of hip osteoarthritis are managed for years with exercise, weight management, and activity modification; joint replacement is typically considered when conservative measures no longer provide adequate relief.
Can weak glute muscles cause hip pain?
Reduced strength or endurance in the gluteal muscles is commonly associated with several hip and even knee conditions, since these muscles are central to controlling pelvis and leg alignment during walking and running.
What is a hip labral tear?
A hip labral tear is damage to the ring of cartilage that deepens the hip socket, which can occur from trauma, repetitive impingement, or gradual wear, and may contribute to pain, clicking, or a sense of instability.
The hip joint is formed where the rounded head of the femur fits into the deep, cup-shaped acetabulum of the pelvis, an arrangement that provides substantial inherent stability compared with more shallow joints like the shoulder.
A large group of muscles surrounds the joint, including powerful hip flexors at the front, extensors at the back, and abductors at the side that are essential for controlling pelvic stability during single-leg activities such as walking and running.
Key structures
Acetabular labrum
A ring of cartilage around the rim of the socket increases joint contact area and stability, and can be a source of pain when torn.
Gluteus medius
This hip abductor muscle controls pelvic tilt during walking and running, and its weakness is commonly associated with greater trochanteric pain syndrome and altered gait mechanics.
Iliopsoas
This deep muscle group flexes the hip and can become a source of anterior hip or groin pain when irritated, particularly in activities involving repetitive hip flexion such as kicking or sprinting.
Hamstrings (proximal attachment)
The hamstring muscles originate at the base of the pelvis and extend the hip, and this attachment point can become a source of deep buttock pain when irritated.
Hip capsule and ligaments
A thick fibrous capsule reinforced by several ligaments limits excessive joint motion and works alongside the surrounding muscles to maintain stability.
Planes & range
Hip flexion, bringing the knee toward the chest, represents the joint's largest range of motion, while extension is considerably more limited at roughly 10–20° due to the tension of anterior hip structures.
This combination of deep bony stability and powerful surrounding muscles explains why hip pain can originate from the joint itself, the surrounding tendons, or the muscles that control pelvic movement, each requiring a different assessment focus.
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