Hip pain is a symptom that can be caused by many different conditions affecting the hip joint and the various structures surrounding the joint. These conditions that cause hip pain may be distinguishable by the other symptoms they produce, in some cases. The different conditions may also cause different types and intensities of hip pain.

1. Fracture: With a hip fracture, there is an acute onset of constant pain after the injury that usually is made worse with almost any movement. The muscles that attach to the hip cause the fracture to displace, or move, and the leg may appear shortened and rotated outward. If no displacement occurs, the leg may appear normal. Pelvic fractures may have pain similar to a hip fracture but the leg appears normal.

2. Sciatica pain: Pain from sciatica tends to start in the lower back and radiate to the buttocks and to the front or side of the hip. It may be described in different ways because of nerve inflammation. Some typical descriptive terms used for the pain of sciatica include sharp, stabbing, or burning. The pain of sciatica may be made worse with straightening the knee, which stretches the sciatic nerve and may make it difficult to stand from a sitting position, or walk with a full stride. There may be associated numbness and tingling. Physical examination may be able to map out which nerve root from the spine is involved.

3. Arthritis: If arthritis narrows the hip joint and impinges the femoral head's gliding motion within the acetabulum or if there is a tear in cartilage or labrum, the patient may describe a click, catch, or feeling that range of motion is somehow impeded. Usually, there is pain almost immediately that does not get better as activity continues.

4. Trauma to the hip: With a fall, direct blow, twist, or stretch, the pain is felt almost immediately.

5. Overuse injury: The onset of pain may be delayed by minutes or hours as inflamed muscles surrounding the hip joint go into spasm or joint surfaces become inflamed, causing fluid accumulation. Overuse injuries may also cause cartilage or labrum damage resulting in inflammation, pain, and limping.

6. Limp: Limping is the body's way of compensating for pain by trying to minimize the amount of weight the hip has to support while walking. Limping is never normal. Limping produces abnormal stresses on other joints, including the back, knees, and ankles, and if the limp persists, these areas may also become inflamed and cause further symptoms.