Hip pain treatment in Glasgow

Hip pain is a common issue that often occurs due to ageing. If you are experiencing hip pain, you might struggle with one or more of the following symptoms:

• Sharp pain, tenderness, or an ache in your hip, groin, thigh and/or buttocks
• Pain when putting weight on your leg or hip
• Inability (or difficulty) to move your leg or hip
• Pain from your back or groin that radiates to your hip
• Sensation of snapping or clicking from your hipbone when moving it.

Hip pain can be acute, meaning it lasts fewer than six months and appears suddenly due to a specific cause. Acute hip pain might be caused by a hip fracture from a fall, an inflamed tendon from overexertion, or recent surgery. Hip pain can also be chronic, meaning it is caused by long-term conditions, such as osteoarthritis.

Whatever the cause of your hip pain, our team of specialist orthopaedic consultants at Ross Hall Hospital in Glasgow are here to help manage, relieve, and even eliminate your hip pain. 

At Ross Hall Hospital in Glasgow, we offer a variety of treatment option for hip pain, including:

Hip injection therapy

Also known as steroid injection therapy, this treatment involves injections of steroid medication (corticosteroid) into your painful hip joint. This can effectively reduce pain and inflammation in your hip, and the effects can last anywhere from a few weeks to a few months. This form of pain relief may be recommended if you can't take oral anti-inflammatories for any reason.

Physiotherapy

Physiotherapy for joint pain comprises a specialist exercise programme designed to strengthen the muscles around your joints, improving mobility and – in taking the pressure of your joints – reducing your pain. It can be a highly effective treatment.

If you have private physiotherapy with Circle Health Group, we will build a custom programme of exercises to help you to strengthen your hip and the surrounding muscles. Our hospital is equiped with advanced specialist equipment to help you get the best from your sessions.

Hip replacement surgery

There are several forms of hip replacement surgery. The procedure involves removing all of, or part of, your damaged hip joint with and replacing it with an artificial component, also known as a prosthesis. This component is usually made of ceramic, metal, or a combination of both. 

To find out more about these treatment options for hip pain, you can call a member of our advisory team on 0141 300 5009.

Some causes of hip pain are preventable, while others aren't. When we talk about preventable causes of hip pain, we’re referring to simple, everyday actions, such as sitting too long, sleeping on your side, or overexerting yourself when exercising. Tendonitis (or inflammation of your tendons resulting from overuse or strain, is a particularly common cause of acute hip pain.

Some unpreventable causes of hip pain include age and overuse. Years of walking can naturally wear down the protective cartilage in your hip joint. This makes it easier to feel the friction caused by your hip bone moving in its socket, which can result in hip pain. In older people, arthritis is also a common cause of hip pain. 

Bursitis can also cause hip pain. Bursae are small fluid-filled sacs that help soften the friction caused by your hip bone moving in its joint. When these become inflamed (usually from overuse), they can cause hip pain.

There are a lot of other causes of hip pain, so it’s important to visit your GP to access treatment that's right for you.

A hip replacement might be the best treatment option for you if any of the following is true:

• Exercise, weight loss and/or physiotherapy have not helped alleviate your pain
• Painkillers and/or prescription medication have not helped reduce your symptoms
• Walking, standing, climbing stairs, and performing other everyday movements, are difficult or painful
• Your hip is painful when you're not moving
• Your hip is damaged or worn down from an underlying condition

The price of treatment for hip pain at our Ross Hall Hospital will differ depending on the type of treatment you have. We offer fixed price packages, which are agreed before treatment, so you always know what you'll be paying. The final cost will be confirmed in writing following your consultation and any necessary diagnostic tests.

We offer flexible payment options to help you spread the cost of your payment over a time that suits you. To find out more about the process of paying for your treatment, you can speak to a member of our advisory team on 0141 300 5009.

If you have private medical insurance, please check that your treatment is covered by your policy. We accept insured patients and we work with all major providers.

Have a question about your hip pain? We answer some of your frequently asked questions about hip pain.

Is my hip pain serious?

If your hip pain is excruciating and/or accompanied by fever, chills and/or visible deformities in your hip area, then you should visit your GP or one of our consultants as soon as possible. These symptoms could point toward a serious underlying condition, an infection, or a bone fracture.

How do I relieve hip pain?

Rest and over-the-counter painkillers are two of the best home remedies you can try for your hip pain. Also, avoid putting too much weight on your hip when walking. A crutch or other walking aid can help with this. Sleeping on the side opposite to your painful hip might also help to relieve the pressure on your hip overnight.

Why is my hip pain worse at night?

There are several reasons why your hip pain might make falling or staying asleep difficult. The position in which you sleep can either create or worsen hip pain. Some conditions cause your hip joint to swell when you don’t move often, so your hip might hurt worse at night when your body’s at rest. If you’re pregnant, especially in your third trimester, you might experience hip pain at night. A specialised pregnancy pillow can help you sleep comfortably without putting pressure on your hips.

Is cycling good for hip pain?

If your doctor has suggested gentle exercise for your hip pain, cycling might be the right choice for you. The low-impact motion of cycling can help keep your hip joints supple by encouraging adequate range of motion. This can reduce hip pain over time.

What causes hip pain that radiates down the leg?

Sciatica can cause painful nerve pain that’s felt from your lower back, through your hip and down your leg, while arthritis of the hip can also cause pain that spreads to the front of your thigh down to your leg. If you have pain in the side of your thigh that increases when pressure is applied to it, you might have bursitis of your hip joint.

Can hip pain go away on its own?

With some minor causes of hip pain, the pain can eventually go away on its own with some easy modifications. If your hip pain is from sleeping on a mattress that’s too hard, for example, then switching to a softer mattress can end your hip pain worries. It’s always important to receive a medical consultation, especially if your hip pain isn’t going away after a long time or is especially severe. Don’t try to wait it out.

Where is hip pain felt?

Hip pain can be felt at the front, at the side, or at the back (where your buttocks are) of your hips. With radiating hip pain, you can also feel the pain in your lower back or down your legs.

What causes hip pain when sleeping?

A mattress that is too firm can lead to poor sleep posture, which can in turn cause hip pain and stiffness. Not moving while sleeping can also lead to stiffness throughout your body, including your hips.

Can too much sitting cause hip pain?

As with sleeping, poor posture when sitting can cause stiffness in your hips. If you sit often throughout the day, it’s important to stand up every now and then to ensure your hips don’t hurt later on from prolonged sitting.

Can anxiety cause hip pain?

Anxiety, as well as other mental health conditions like depression, can result in physical symptoms, including hip pain. Stress can lead to stiffness and tightness throughout your body, particularly in your hips. Gentle exercises like yoga or walking can go a long way in addressing both your anxiety and hip pain.

How do I use kinesiology tape for hip pain?

Kinesiology tape is one of the home remedies you can turn to for relief from hip pain, particularly if you injured your hip flexor. Easily bought from your local pharmacy, kinesiology tape can be applied to your affected hip to improve circulation and provide support.

Do compression shorts help hip pain?

Like kinesiology tape, compression shorts can provide physical support and improve circulation to relieve your hip pain. They can easily and discreetly be worn under clothing.

When you choose to go private with Circle Health Group, you can expect:   

• Flexible appointment times and locations to fit your routine  
• The freedom to choose which hospital and consultant suit your needs  
• Personalised, consultant-led treatment plans tailored to your individual needs  
• Comfortable and safe private facilities maintained by expert multidisciplinary teams  
• Support by the same compassionate clinical team from beginning to end  
• Affordable, fixed-price packages with aftercare included  
• Flexible payment options to spread the cost of your care

If you would like to learn more about this procedure, book your appointment online today or call a member of our team directly on 0141 300 5009.

Content reviewed by Circle in-house team in August 2022. Next review due August 2025.