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CONDITION · HIP JOINT
Hip pain treatment in Brisbane.
Hip pain can affect walking, sitting for extended periods, climbing stairs, and even a comfortable night’s sleep. The sensation of pain “in the hip” can originate from the joint, surrounding muscles and tendons, the bursa, or even be referred from the lower back. Thorough assessment is the starting point.
AT A GLANCE
Information shown is general and not a substitute for assessment. Your physiotherapist will discuss your specific presentation at your initial appointment.
COMMON SIGNS
Symptoms you may recognise.
If two or more of these apply to you, an assessment is a sensible next step.
Deep groin ache
In the groin or front of the hip region
Difficulty walking
Particularly over longer distances or on uneven ground
Morning stiffness
Hip stiffness that eases with movement
Night pain
Pain when lying on the affected side, disrupted sleep
Reduced range of motion
Difficulty rotating the leg outward or inward
Outer hip pain on stairs
Lateral hip or thigh pain with climbing or walking
COMMON DRIVERS
Why it might be happening.
The hip is a ball-and-socket joint bearing significant daily load. Several conditions can contribute to pain in the region.
CAUSE 01
Hip osteoarthritis
Degeneration of the cartilage lining the hip joint — a common cause of hip pain in older adults. Presents as deep groin pain worse with activity, and morning stiffness that often eases within 15–30 minutes.
CAUSE 02
Greater trochanteric pain syndrome
Pain over the outer hip — formerly called trochanteric bursitis — involving the gluteal tendons or trochanteric bursa. Often worsens with walking, stair climbing and lying on the affected side. More common in women.
CAUSE 03
Hip labral tear
The labrum is a ring of cartilage that deepens the hip socket. Tears can cause catching or clicking deep in the groin and are more common in younger, active individuals — sometimes related to anatomical variants.
CAUSE 04
Muscle imbalance or referred pain
Weakness or tightness in the hip flexors, gluteals or hip rotators can alter joint mechanics. Pain in the hip region can also be referred from the lumbar spine — thorough assessment distinguishes between the two.
When to seek urgent care
Some symptoms warrant immediate medical attention rather than a physio assessment. Please see your GP or attend an emergency department if you experience:
- Hip injury with inability to bear weight or visible deformity
- Sudden, severe hip or groin pain after a fall (suspected fracture)
- A hot, red, swollen joint with fever (suspected joint infection)
- Sudden weakness or numbness in the leg
- Unexplained weight loss, fever or night sweats with hip pain
OUR APPROACH
How physiotherapy may help.
A three-stage approach — assess, treat, then build long-term resilience.
1
Assess
A thorough hip assessment — movement, strength of gluteal and hip muscles, joint palpation, and evaluation of the lumbar spine and lower limb.
- Movement & range testing
- Gluteal & hip strength assessment
- Hip joint palpation
- Lumbar & lower-limb screen
2
Treat
An evidence-based plan tailored to the driver of your pain — typically combining manual therapy with progressive strengthening.
- Gluteal & hip strengthening
- Manual therapy techniques
- Hydrotherapy where indicated
- Load & activity modification
3
Manage
Progressive program to build the strength and resilience to manage your hip well long term — including pre- and post-operative pathways where surgery is required.
- Home exercise program
- Activity progression
- Pre/post-op support (if relevant)
- Self-management education
RELATED CONDITIONS
If hip pain is limiting your walking, causing you to limp, or affecting your sleep, a physiotherapy assessment is recommended. Hip pain that has persisted for more than a few weeks, or that is worsening, benefits from professional assessment to identify the underlying cause and guide appropriate management.
Our physiotherapists conduct a thorough assessment of the hip and surrounding structures, including the lumbar spine, pelvis, and lower limb. Treatment may include hip and gluteal strengthening exercises, manual therapy, hydrotherapy, load management advice, and activity modification. The approach is tailored to the underlying cause of your pain and your individual goals.
Physiotherapy is an evidence-based approach to managing hip osteoarthritis. Exercise therapy — particularly strengthening and low-impact aerobic exercise — may help manage pain and maintain function. Hydrotherapy can be particularly suitable for those who find land-based exercise uncomfortable due to joint loading. Your physiotherapist can guide an appropriate exercise program for your level of function.
Recovery timelines depend on the cause and duration of your hip pain. Hip bursitis and muscle imbalance presentations often respond to physiotherapy over several weeks. Hip osteoarthritis is a long-term condition managed through ongoing exercise and activity modification. Your physiotherapist will discuss a realistic treatment plan following your assessment.