Hip Pain Isn’t Just “Getting Older” It’s a Warning

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If your hip feels stiff when you get out of the car…
If you’re limping after sitting too long…
If your groin, thigh, or even knee aches and you’re not sure why…

That’s not random. That’s your hip asking for attention.

Let’s break this down the right way.

What Is Hip Arthritis Really?

Hip arthritis is not just “wear and tear.” It’s the breakdown and irritation of the cartilage that cushions your hip joint. That cartilage is supposed to allow smooth, pain-free movement. When it starts wearing down, the joint loses padding and lubrication.

Now you get:
• Pain with movement
• Stiffness
• Limited range of motion
• Grinding or clicking (crepitus)
• Difficulty bending or walking normally

And here’s what most people don’t realize …hip arthritis pain doesn’t always stay in the hip.

You might feel it in your:
• Groin
• Thigh
• Buttocks
• Knee

That’s called referred pain. And it confuses a lot of people.

Why Does It Happen?

The most common type is osteoarthritis — gradual cartilage breakdown over time. It typically affects people over 55, but I’m seeing it earlier and earlier because of:

• Repetitive stress from sports or certain jobs
• Extra body weight increasing joint load
• Old injuries
• Poor hip alignment (dysplasia or impingement)
• Family history

There’s also inflammatory arthritis — like rheumatoid arthritis — where the immune system attacks the joint. That’s a different process, and it usually affects multiple joints at once.

But here’s the key:

Most people wait until it’s severe before doing anything.

That’s the mistake.

What Makes It Worse?

If you already have hip arthritis, these habits accelerate it:

• High-impact running and jumping
• Heavy lifting without proper mechanics
• Repetitive deep squats and twisting
• Sitting all day (especially crossing your legs)

Motion is medicine — but the right motion.

How We Actually Treat It

At Sports Performance, we don’t jump straight to surgery. We build a progression.

Step 1: Reduce stress on the joint
Weight management, activity modification, sometimes an assistive device.

Step 2: Control inflammation
Heat, ice, targeted mobility work, and in some cases injections like cortisone or PRP.

Step 3: Restore strength and stability
This is the most important phase. If your glutes, deep hip stabilizers, and core aren’t doing their job, your joint takes the load.

Step 4: Educate and empower
Because arthritis is manageable. It’s not a life sentence.

Is It Curable?

There’s no true “cure” for osteoarthritis. But there is control.

Conservative treatment can dramatically reduce symptoms. And if it ever gets to that point, modern hip replacements are extremely reliable and can last decades.

But most people never explore the non-surgical options correctly.

That’s exactly why we’re hosting our Hip Arthritis Class on February 25.

If you’re 45+
If you’re worried about long-term joint damage
If you want to stay active without relying on pain medication

This class is for you.

We’ll cover:
• How to tell if your hip pain is arthritis
• What actually slows progression
• What exercises help (and which make it worse)
• When injections or surgery make sense
• A step-by-step action plan

You don’t have to accept stiffness as your new normal.

February 25.
Let’s get you moving the right way.

Reserve your spot and take control of your hip before it controls you.

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As always, we hope this helps! For any questions and all suggestions, please email us at TeamSP@SportsPerformancePT.com

If you want to know more information about how we can help, get started with a FREE discovery phone call.

Click the following link -> DISCOVERY PHONE CALL.

If you’re interested in doing Physical Therapy at Sports Performance -> CLICK HERE TO LEARN MORE & INQUIRE

If you would like to see more from us at Sports Performance… Watch our Podcast episode 141 about How to Improve your Long Term Health and Wellness -> CLICK HERE