Hip Pain & Orthopedic Hip Care in Northern Virginia

Hip pain can make walking, exercising, climbing stairs, sitting, or even sleeping uncomfortable. It may come from arthritis or damage inside the hip joint, but muscles, tendons, bursae, bones, and other tissues around the hip can also be responsible.

At Arthritis & Sports Orthopaedics, our hip specialists diagnose and treat a wide range of hip conditions using nonsurgical care, joint-preserving procedures, and hip replacement when appropriate. Our goal is to identify what is causing your pain and develop a treatment plan that helps you move comfortably and return to the activities that matter to you.

What Can Cause Hip Pain?

The hip is a ball-and-socket joint designed to support your body while allowing a wide range of motion. Cartilage helps the joint move smoothly, while muscles, tendons, ligaments, and other surrounding tissues provide strength and stability.

Pain can develop when any of these structures become injured, irritated, or worn over time.

Hip Osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis develops as the cartilage that protects the surfaces of the hip joint gradually becomes damaged or worn.

Hip arthritis commonly causes pain and stiffness that may become more noticeable with walking, standing, getting up from a chair, or after periods of inactivity. Some people also notice a gradual loss of hip motion or begin to limp as the condition progresses.

Many patients can initially manage hip arthritis without surgery. Treatment may include activity changes, medication when appropriate, physical therapy, and selected injections.

When arthritis becomes severe and pain or loss of mobility continues despite nonsurgical treatment, hip replacement may be considered.

Learn more about arthritis treatment.

Hip Labral Tears & Hip Impingement

The labrum is a ring of strong tissue around the edge of the hip socket that helps provide stability to the joint.

A labral tear may result from an injury, repetitive activity, or structural problems within the hip. One such problem is femoroacetabular impingement, or FAI, in which the bones of the hip do not move together normally and may place additional stress on the labrum and cartilage.

Symptoms can include groin pain, catching, clicking, stiffness, or discomfort with twisting, pivoting, prolonged sitting, or athletic activity.

Treatment depends on the cause and severity of symptoms. Physical therapy, activity modification, and other nonsurgical options may be recommended before surgery is considered.

Tendon & Bursa Problems Around the Hip

Not all hip pain comes from inside the joint.

Tendons, muscles, and bursae around the hip can become irritated or injured, causing pain along the outside of the hip, in the buttock, near the upper hamstring, or at the front of the hip.

These conditions may develop gradually from overuse or occur after an injury. Treatment is based on the specific structure involved and may include rehabilitation, activity modification, medication, injections, or other minimally invasive options.

Learn more about hip pain outside the joint and extra-articular hip endoscopy.

Sports Injuries, Trauma & Fractures

Athletes and active adults can develop hip pain from sudden injuries, repetitive loading, falls, or changes in training.

Depending on the injury, the muscles, tendons, labrum, cartilage, or bones around the hip may be affected.

Learn more about our sports medicine program.

Hip fractures and other significant traumatic injuries require prompt evaluation. Severe pain after a fall or injury, an inability to put weight on the leg, or an obvious change in the position or appearance of the leg should be evaluated urgently.

Where Is Hip Pain Usually Felt?

Where you feel hip pain can provide useful clues about which structures may be involved, although symptoms alone cannot confirm a diagnosis.

Pain in the Groin or Front of the Hip

Pain felt deep in the groin or front of the hip may be associated with conditions inside the hip joint, including arthritis, labral injuries, or hip impingement.

It may become more noticeable when walking, bending the hip, getting in and out of a car, sitting for long periods, or participating in sports.

Pain on the Outside of the Hip

Pain over the outside of the hip may come from the tendons or bursae surrounding the joint.

Some patients notice tenderness when lying on the affected side, climbing stairs, walking longer distances, or standing for extended periods.

Pain in the Buttock or Back of the Hip

Pain toward the buttock can sometimes originate from muscles, tendons, or other structures around the back of the hip.

Back and nerve conditions can also cause symptoms in this area, which is why identifying the actual source of pain is important before beginning treatment.

Hip Pain That Travels to the Thigh or Knee

Hip conditions do not always cause pain directly over the hip.

Some people with hip arthritis or other joint problems experience pain that travels into the thigh or is felt near the knee. A careful examination can help determine whether the symptoms are coming from the hip, knee, lower back, or another area.

When Should You See an Orthopedic Hip Specialist?

Consider scheduling an orthopedic evaluation when hip pain lasts for more than a short period, keeps returning, or begins interfering with your normal activities.

An evaluation may be especially helpful if you are experiencing increasing stiffness, a limp, reduced range of motion, difficulty walking or climbing stairs, pain that disrupts sleep, clicking or catching inside the hip, or symptoms that have not improved with rest or basic home care.

Seek more urgent medical evaluation after a significant injury if you have severe pain, cannot bear weight on the leg, notice obvious deformity, or are concerned that you may have sustained a fracture.

How Is Hip Pain Diagnosed?

Finding the source of hip pain is important because several different conditions can cause similar symptoms.

Your orthopedic provider will typically begin by asking when your symptoms started, where the pain occurs, what activities make it better or worse, and whether you have experienced an injury.

Physical Examination

During the examination, your provider may evaluate your walking pattern, range of motion, strength, areas of tenderness, and movements that reproduce your symptoms.

The examination can also help determine whether the pain is more likely to originate inside the hip joint, in the surrounding soft tissues, or from another area such as the lower back.

X-Rays & Advanced Imaging

X-rays are commonly used to evaluate the bones and joint space and can help identify arthritis, fractures, or structural changes.

MRI or other advanced imaging may be recommended when a labral tear, cartilage injury, hip impingement, tendon injury, or another soft-tissue problem is suspected.

The imaging you need depends on your symptoms, physical examination, medical history, and suspected diagnosis.

What Are the Nonsurgical Treatments for Hip Pain?

Surgery is not the first step for many hip conditions.

Treatment depends on the cause of your pain, your activity level, the severity of the condition, and how much your symptoms interfere with daily life.

Activity Modification & Medication

Temporarily modifying activities that aggravate your symptoms can give irritated tissues time to recover and may reduce stress on an arthritic joint.

Your provider may also discuss appropriate over-the-counter or prescription medication based on your condition, medical history, and individual needs.

Physical Therapy

Physical therapy can play an important role in treating many types of hip pain.

A personalized rehabilitation program may focus on improving hip mobility, strengthening the muscles that support the hip and pelvis, correcting movement limitations, and gradually helping you return to normal activities.

Learn more about physical therapy at Arthritis & Sports.

Hip Injections & Orthobiologic Treatments

Injections may be considered for certain hip conditions when appropriate.

A corticosteroid injection may sometimes provide short-term symptom relief for hip arthritis or inflammation and may also help identify the source of pain in selected situations.

For certain tendon and soft-tissue injuries, your physician may discuss orthobiologic options such as platelet-rich plasma, or PRP. These treatments are not appropriate for every diagnosis, and recommendations should be based on the condition being treated and your individual goals.

Learn more about platelet-rich plasma injections.

When Is Hip Surgery Considered?

Hip surgery may be considered when symptoms continue despite appropriate nonsurgical treatment or when the underlying injury or joint damage is unlikely to improve adequately without surgical care.

The type of surgery depends on the condition.

Hip Arthroscopy & Labral Treatment

Hip arthroscopy is a minimally invasive procedure that allows an orthopedic surgeon to look inside the hip joint through small incisions.

Depending on the diagnosis, arthroscopy may be used to treat problems such as labral tears, hip impingement, damaged cartilage, or other conditions inside the joint.

David S. Goodwin, MD, specializes in sports medicine, hip arthroscopy, and joint-preservation techniques for active adults and younger patients with hip injuries.

Hip Endoscopy for Conditions Outside the Joint

Some painful hip conditions involve tissues surrounding the joint rather than the joint itself.

For carefully selected patients whose symptoms have not improved with nonsurgical treatment, minimally invasive hip endoscopy may be used to treat certain tendon, muscle, or other extra-articular conditions.

Dr. Goodwin has particular expertise in minimally invasive treatment of these conditions.

Learn more about extra-articular hip endoscopy.

Total Hip Replacement

Total hip replacement may be an option when advanced arthritis or joint damage causes persistent pain, stiffness, and loss of function that no longer responds adequately to nonsurgical care.

During hip replacement, damaged portions of the joint are replaced with artificial components designed to create a smooth, stable joint surface.

Learn more about total joint replacement.

Anterior Hip Replacement

The direct anterior approach is one technique surgeons can use to perform total hip replacement.

Rather than being a different type of replacement implant, it describes how the surgeon accesses the hip joint during surgery.

Randall S. Peyton, MD, specializes in adult hip and knee reconstruction and has extensive experience with anterior hip replacement.

Learn more about anterior hip replacement.

Which Arthritis & Sports Hip Specialist Should I See?

Our hip specialists provide different areas of expertise so that treatment can be matched to the condition causing your symptoms.

Randall S. Peyton, MD — Hip Arthritis & Joint Replacement

Randall S. Peyton, MD, is a board-certified orthopaedic surgeon specializing in adult hip and knee reconstruction and total joint replacement.

Patients with advanced hip arthritis, progressive joint degeneration, or questions about total or anterior hip replacement may be evaluated by Dr. Peyton at our Sterling office.

Meet Dr. Randall Peyton.

David S. Goodwin, MD — Hip Preservation & Sports Medicine

David S. Goodwin, MD, is a board-certified orthopaedic surgeon specializing in sports medicine, hip arthroscopy, joint preservation, and minimally invasive procedures.

Patients with sports-related hip pain, labral injuries, hip impingement, or certain tendon and soft-tissue conditions may be evaluated by Dr. Goodwin at our South Riding office.

Meet Dr. David Goodwin.

Hip Care in Sterling & South Riding, Virginia

Arthritis & Sports provides orthopedic hip care at our locations in Sterling and South Riding, Virginia.

Our team serves patients throughout Loudoun County and Northern Virginia, including Ashburn, Leesburg, Reston, Herndon, Chantilly, Aldie, and surrounding communities.

Patients have access to orthopedic evaluation, diagnostic services, nonsurgical treatment, surgery, and physical therapy through one coordinated practice.

Visit our Sterling location.

Visit our South Riding location.

Frequently Asked Questions About Hip Pain

What does hip arthritis usually feel like?

Hip arthritis commonly causes aching pain and stiffness, often in the groin or front of the hip. Symptoms may become more noticeable with walking, standing, getting up after sitting, or after periods of inactivity. As arthritis progresses, some people notice reduced motion or begin to limp.

Can a hip problem cause groin or knee pain?

Yes. Problems inside the hip joint frequently cause groin pain, and some patients experience referred pain into the thigh or knee. Because knee and lower-back problems can produce overlapping symptoms, an orthopedic examination can help identify where the pain is actually coming from.

Do all hip labral tears require surgery?

No. Treatment depends on the cause of the tear, the severity of symptoms, the condition of the joint, and the patient's goals. Physical therapy, activity modification, and other nonsurgical treatments may be tried before arthroscopic surgery is considered.

When should hip replacement be considered?

Hip replacement may be considered when advanced arthritis or joint damage causes persistent pain, stiffness, and loss of mobility that significantly affect daily activities and have not improved enough with appropriate nonsurgical treatment. The decision is individualized and should be made after discussing the benefits, risks, alternatives, and expected recovery with your orthopedic surgeon.

What is the difference between hip arthroscopy and hip replacement?

Hip arthroscopy is a minimally invasive procedure generally used to treat specific problems within an otherwise preservable hip, such as certain labral tears or impingement. Hip replacement is used when the joint itself has become significantly damaged, most commonly from advanced arthritis. The damaged joint surfaces are replaced with artificial components.

Should I see an orthopedic doctor for persistent hip pain?

An orthopedic evaluation is appropriate when hip pain persists, repeatedly returns, limits walking or exercise, disrupts sleep, causes increasing stiffness, or does not improve with basic conservative care. Determining the cause early can help you understand your options and avoid treating the wrong problem.

Schedule an Appointment for Hip Pain

You do not have to determine the cause of your hip pain on your own. 

Our orthopedic hip specialists can evaluate your symptoms, identify the source of your pain, and recommend a treatment plan based on your condition, lifestyle, and goals.

Request an appointment with Arthritis & Sports Orthopaedics in Sterling or South Riding today.