Hip pain is a common issue that affects people of all ages, often linked to daily wear and tear, lifestyle habits or underlying joint conditions.

Hip pain is a common concern that affects people of all ages, especially those who walk or stand for long hours, lead active lifestyles or have age-related changes in their joints. Because the hip is one of the body’s main weight-bearing joints, even mild irritation can gradually become noticeable during daily movement.

Many people experience hip discomfort at some point, whether as a deep ache in the groin, a sharp pull at the side of the hip or stiffness after sitting. These symptoms may come and go, but when they begin to interfere with walking, climbing stairs or simple routines, they should not be ignored. 

What is Hip Pain?

Hip pain refers to discomfort arising from the hip joint or the surrounding soft tissues, including the muscles, tendons, ligaments and bursae. Because the hip acts as a major weight-bearing joint, any irritation or inflammation in this region can quickly affect mobility. Depending on the structure involved, pain may be felt in the groin, outer hip, buttock or down the thigh.

What are the types of Hip Pain?

The pain can be presented in different ways depending on which tissue is irritated or inflamed. However, some of the common types include:

  • Joint-related pain – deep pain originating from the ball-and-socket joint, often felt in the groin or front of the hip. This discomfort may worsen with prolonged standing or rotational movements.
  • Soft tissue pain – pain arising from the muscles, tendons or bursae around the hip. This is commonly felt on the side of the hip or buttock, especially during walking, climbing stairs or lying on the affected side.
  • Referred pain – pain that begins in the lower back or sacroiliac joints but is perceived in the hip region.
  • Mechanical or overuse pain – discomfort caused by muscle imbalance, repetitive movement or posture-related strain.

What causes Hip Pain?

Hip osteoarthritis is a frequent cause of hip pain, developing as the protective cartilage wears down over time and leading to stiffness and discomfort.

Although several conditions can contribute to hip pain, some of the more common causes include:

What are the symptoms of Hip Pain?

Symptoms may vary depending on the underlying structure involved. Some of the common signs include:

  • Deep aching pain in the groin, outer hip or buttock
  • Stiffness after periods of rest
  • Pain that worsens with walking or prolonged standing
  • Difficulty rotating the hip or lifting the leg
  • Clicking, catching or instability
  • Local tenderness along the outer hip
  • Reduced walking tolerance or restricted movement

Who is at risk of Hip Pain?

Active individuals place repeated stress on the hip joint, increasing the risk of strain, overuse injuries and early joint degeneration.

Hip pain can affect anyone, but certain factors increase the likelihood of developing discomfort in the hip joint or surrounding tissues. This includes, but is not limited to:

  • Age-related changes — natural wear of the hip cartilage and surrounding soft tissues can lead to stiffness, reduced mobility and aching during movement.
  • Inflammatory conditions — conditions such as arthritis  or autoimmune inflammation can affect the joint lining and soft tissues, making hip pain more likely to occur.
  • Weak supporting muscles — reduced strength in the gluteal or core muscles can affect joint stability and increase the likelihood of overuse pain.
  • Active lifestyle — people who engage in regular exercise, sports or repetitive movement may place increased stress on the hip joint and surrounding tissues. Over time, this can lead to irritation, muscle imbalance or tendon overload.
  • Prolonged sitting or standing — certain occupations or habits may increase strain on the hip and lower back, making the area more vulnerable to discomfort.
  • Previous injuries — past hip, pelvis or lower back injuries may alter movement patterns, placing additional stress on the hip.

How is Hip Pain diagnosed in Singapore?

The diagnosis aims to identify the exact structure responsible for your symptoms. Because hip pain can originate from multiple tissues, including the joint, muscles, tendons, bursae or nerves, accurate assessment is essential for targeted treatment.

Our anaesthesiologist may proceed with:

  • Detailed clinical examination – our anaesthesiologist assesses hip movement, joint stability, muscle strength and areas of tenderness. Specific tests help differentiate between joint-related pain, tendon irritation, bursitis or referred pain from the lower back.
  • Ultrasound imaging – ultrasound offers real-time visualisation of soft tissues, allowing us to detect inflammation, tendon irritation, bursitis or joint effusion. It also guides precise needle placement during treatment to ensure medication reaches the correct structure.
  • Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans – recommended for more complex cases, MRI scans help evaluate cartilage, the labrum, deep soft tissues and subtle structural issues that may not be visible on X-ray or ultrasound.
  • X-rays – these are used when joint wear, bone changes or alignment issues are suspected. They provide a clear picture of osteoarthritis or structural abnormalities.

This structured approach ensures we identify the true cause of your hip pain and plan treatment that directly addresses your symptoms.

How is Hip Pain treated in Singapore?

Imaging tests such as X-rays and MRI scans offer a clearer picture of joint structures, helping doctors pinpoint the exact cause of hip pain.

Treatment is centred on pain management, inflammation control and restoring comfortable movement. Most patients benefit from targeted, minimally invasive interventions designed to address the specific structure causing discomfort.

Our pain management treatments include:

Pain injections

Pain injections deliver medication directly to the area causing discomfort, helping to reduce inflammation and improve mobility. Depending on the underlying cause, injections may target the joint, surrounding soft tissues or trigger points.

  • Ultrasound-guided (USG) injections (link to page) – these injections use real-time imaging to ensure precise delivery of medication into the hip joint or surrounding tissues. This allows for accurate treatment while minimising disruption to nearby structures.
  • Trigger point injections (link to page) – trigger point injections are used when hip pain is caused by muscular tightness, gluteal trigger points or compensatory muscle strain. They help relieve localised pain and support better movement.
  • Hip joint injections (link to page) – general soft tissue or periarticular injections can be used to reduce inflammation in the surrounding muscles, tendons or bursae contributing to hip discomfort.

Minimally invasive pain procedures

For pain linked to irritated nerves or chronic inflammation, minimally invasive procedures can provide long-lasting relief.

  • Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) / Pulsed radiofrequency modulation (link to page) – this technique targets specific nerves around the hip to interrupt pain signals, providing sustained relief for chronic discomfort.
  • Neuromodulation (Spinal Cord Stimulation) (link to page) – in rare, severe cases of chronic hip pain that do not respond to other treatments, spinal cord stimulation may be considered to modulate pain signals and improve function.

Regenerative therapies

These treatments encourage healing in degenerative or overused tissues, offering an alternative or complement to traditional pain relief.

  • Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) injection therapy (link to page) – PRP injections are beneficial for hip osteoarthritis, tendon injuries or labral irritation, helping promote tissue repair and reduce inflammation.
  • Prolotherapy (link to page) – prolotherapy stimulates ligament and tendon repair in chronic soft tissue pain, supporting improved hip stability and function.

Specialised pain management

  • Sports injury pain management (link to page) – for hip strains, tendinopathy or labral injuries, tailored pain management strategies help reduce discomfort, restore mobility and support a safe return to activity.

Ready to find relief from Hip Pain?

Hip injections deliver targeted medication to reduce inflammation and provide relief when pain limits movement or daily activities.

Hip pain does not have to limit your daily activities or affect your confidence in movement. Whether your discomfort comes from the joint, soft tissues or referred sources, early assessment can help identify the exact cause and guide effective treatment.

At Total Pain Specialist (link to homepage), we focus on targeted pain management by using precise injections, nerve blocks and personalised care to help you move comfortably again.

If hip pain is affecting your daily life, it may be time to explore your treatment options. Schedule a consultation (link to contact us) with our doctor today and take the first step towards lasting relief and better movement.

Frequently asked questions

If hip pain begins to affect walking, standing or daily movement or if symptoms persist despite rest or medication, a pain specialist can provide targeted evaluation and treatment.

Not always. Imaging is recommended when symptoms are long-standing, when structural changes are suspected or when precise ultrasound guidance is required for targeted injections.

Most patients experience only mild discomfort. Ultrasound guidance allows the medication to be placed accurately, reducing unnecessary irritation during the procedure.

Relief varies depending on the underlying condition and severity. Many patients experience meaningful improvement for weeks or months, especially when combined with strengthening exercises and activity modifications.

Surgery is not always required. Many hip conditions respond well to non-surgical pain management. At Total Pain Specialist, we focus on minimally invasive options before considering surgery.

Some mild cases may improve with rest and gentle stretching, but persistent or recurrent pain often indicates underlying irritation. Early treatment helps prevent progression and supports better long-term function.