What’s your body saying when there is a sharp, stinging pain in your hip?

Hip pain can be debilitating, no matter your age. A study showed that 20% of older adults reported experiencing hip pain on a daily basis. At the same time, a study of adult soccer players showed that up to 55% of their injuries were linked to hip pain. Whether you’re an older adult or an athlete, and whether your hip pain is caused by a chronic condition or injury, you may be worried about juggling your hip pain during your daily routine.

Your hip pain can keep you from performing normal activities like standing, sitting, walking and lying down. As a result, it can be important to pinpoint the cause of your pain to help limit your symptoms and avoid further injury. Your type of hip pain — such as dull, sharp or stinging — can help determine how to start treatment. 

Sharp, stinging pains in your hip can be linked to a variety of specific causes. Knowing some of the reasons behind your hip pain can help you start a treatment plan, including physical therapy, that targets your symptoms and strengthens your hip joints.

5 things that could be causing a sharp, stinging pain in your hip

After high-impact injuries such as a hard fall or car accident, sharp, stinging pain in your hip can indicate a hip fracture. However, hip pain can also happen over time through repetitive injuries that slowly damage your surrounding muscles, tendons or ligaments. You may also feel pain as a result of a joint condition like arthritis. The most common causes of sharp, stinging hip pain can include the following:

• Tendinitis — Tendons attach your muscles to your bone. When your tendons become irritated, either from overuse or injury, the condition is known as tendinitis. This injury becomes more common with age, but it can also occur in active adults as the result of strenuous physical activity like running. Tendinitis symptoms usually include aches and swelling; however, pain can be sharp as well. You can develop tendinitis in your hip flexor after long periods of overuse and overstretching.
• Arthritis — Inflammation of your joints is known as arthritis. Osteoarthritis occurs when the cartilage tissue that pads your joints is worn down over time — which is why osteoarthritis is known as “wear-and-tear” arthritis. This condition can make movement painful, and you may experience a sharp pain in your hips when getting up or sitting down. 
• Bursitis — Your joints have fluid-filled sacs known as bursae, which are there to cushion and lubricate the joints. When your bursae become inflamed, the condition is known as bursitis. This typically occurs as the result of injury or overuse. It can also develop over time if you have bad posture. It’s important to note that bursitis is one of the leading causes of hip pain. Hip bursitis can be experienced as a sharp pain in the outer part of the hip and radiate as an ache throughout the rest of the leg.
  

• Pinched nerve — When your tissue becomes inflamed and swollen, your nerves can be squeezed and compressed. A pinched nerve in your hip can be very painful, leading to tingling and muscle weakness. With a pinched nerve, you may feel sharp, stinging pain in your hip when moving. You may also feel numbness spread from your hip to your leg.
  
• Hip labral tear — Your hip labrum is a circle of cartilage around your hip joint, and its purpose is to stabilize your joint in its socket. If your hip has structural problems, or if you experience a sudden injury, your labrum can tear. You may feel sharp, stinging pain in your hip after long periods of standing, sitting, walking, or other exercise. You may also hear a clicking or catching sensation in your joint during movement, as well as a lack of mobility.

How can you treat sharp, stinging pain in your hip?

No matter the cause of your hip pain, you can treat it through a variety of noninvasive techniques. You should try the following steps when experiencing sharp hip pain: 

• Rest — By resting your hip and avoiding long periods of standing or walking, you can allow your hip to heal while avoiding further injury. You can also break up hours of rest with short, gentle hip exercises and stretches to encourage blood flow and healing to your injury.
  
• Ice — Applying ice to your hip intermittently can help decrease swelling and inflammation. Ice may also help relieve sharp, stinging pain in your hip temporarily.
  
• Physical therapy — Physical therapy can be an effective method of treating hip pain, especially if it’s sharp and frequent. Physical therapists can use soft tissue mobilization techniques to help relieve pressure from your nerves or other tissue, restoring mobility over time. In addition, physical therapists can recommend the right exercises for you, creating a personalized treatment plan based on your symptoms.

Advent Physical Therapy is prepared to treat your hip pain

If you experience a sharp, stinging pain in the hip, you shouldn’t ignore it. Physical therapy is a safe and effective way to help relieve your symptoms and manage your pain. Our team at Advent Physical Therapy is prepared to develop a personalized treatment plan to pinpoint the cause of your hip pain and treat your condition accordingly.

Contact our team today for more information about hip pain or to schedule an initial appointment.