Hip pain

Hip pain is a common problem in adults. While many people with hip pain find they can manage their symptoms well at home with rest, over the counter pain relief medication, ice and heat packs and gentle stretching and exercise, others will need expert help to successfully treat the cause of the pain.

If you live in or near Windsor and are struggling with hip pain, you may like to visit The Princess Margaret Hospital for your private hip treatment. With superb facilities and fast access to consultant-led care, we can arrange a private consultation for you quickly and easily with a physiotherapist, a consultant hip surgeon or a pain management specialist,

If you would like to book a private consultation with one of our hip specialists to discuss treatment options and get the help you need sooner, you can easily do this online or by phoning our friendly team on 01753 336756.

Please note that this page has been written to help people in Windsor who are looking for help with hip pain. If you live elsewhere in the UK, it is easy to find your local Circle Health Group hospital so that you can get expert help for your hip pain closer to home. 

‘Hip pain’ is a broad term used to describe several different symptoms and people experience hip pain in different ways. Often, the location of the pain and its severity will help a consultant narrow down potential causes even before a clinical examination or any diagnostic investigation is carried out.

Common complaints our consultants hear from people with a hip problem include:

• Hip flexor pain – the hip flexors are a group of muscles at the front of each hip that are involved in moving your knee up and towards your body.
• Lower back and hip pain – can be a sign of sciatica
• Hip pain when exercising - this may be gentle exercise like walking or swimming, or more demanding ones such as running or high intensity gym workouts)
• Hip pain at night – some people only notice their hip pain when lying in bed at night. (NOTE: If your hip pain is waking you up at night due to its severity, it is important you see a doctor for assessment and advice.)
• Outer hip pain – this is usually caused by a problem with a soft tissue (ligament, tendon or muscle) rather than a problem within the joint itself
• Pain in the groin – even though it sounds a bit unusual, groin pain is one of the most common symptoms of osteoarthritis in the hip.
• Hip pain radiating down the leg – known as sciatica, this is unfortunately a very common problem
• Hip joint pain – pain felt deep within the hip joint itself (may also be described as a pain in the groin)

As can be seen from the list above, a problem in the hip can cause pain in a variety of areas and not only in the hip.

With so many different types of hip pain, proper assessment by a specialist is a vital first step towards getting you the help you need. Once a diagnosis has been confirmed, a tailored treatment plan can be made to suit your circumstances and needs.

1. Osteoarthritis: One of the most common causes of hip pain in adults in the UK. While there is not one sole reason that some people develop this, age is a factor and genetic biochemical markers, a previous fracture or a recurrent sport injury can also all increase the likelihood that you will develop osteoarthritis. As a guide, in Windsor and Maidenhead, a total of 6,065 people are estimated to be living with osteoarthritis in the hip, with 1,550 of those suffering severe osteoarthritis³.
2. Hip bursitis: Also known as trochanteric bursitis or Greater Trochanteric Pain Syndrome (GTPS), this is caused when inflammation around the greater trochanter causes pain on the outside of the hip. Most commonly seen in younger patients and caused by repetitive strain from gym exercises or lifting too many weights. However, it can also occur in older patients when gluteal muscles tend to become weaker
3. Hip impingement: Characterised by the feeling that your hip is catching or locking in place, but may also cause a sharp pain in your hip.
4. Stress fracture – A small fracture (or fractures) in the bones due to overuse. Most often seen in people training for a marathon when they have not given their body enough time to adapt to the volume of training being done.
5. Referred pain: A problem in another part of the body can sometimes cause hip pain. The knee, back and leg issues are common culprits. (This is why your consultant will often carry out a clinical examination of these areas during your consultation.)

There are several other causes of hip pain, so it is always important to get an accurate diagnosis.

Hip pain is a common problem in adults. While many people with hip pain find they can manage their symptoms well at home with rest, over the counter pain relief medication, ice and heat packs and gentle stretching and exercise, others will need expert help to successfully treat the cause of the pain.

If you live in or near Windsor and are struggling with hip pain, you may like to visit The Princess Margaret Hospital for your private hip treatment. With superb facilities and fast access to consultant-led care, we can arrange a private consultation for you quickly and easily with a physiotherapist, a consultant hip surgeon or a pain management specialist,

If you would like to book a private consultation with one of our hip specialists to discuss treatment options and get the help you need sooner, you can easily do this online or by phoning our friendly team on 01753 336756.

Please note that this page has been written to help people in Windsor who are looking for help with hip pain. If you live elsewhere in the UK, it is easy to find your local Circle Health Group hospital so that you can get expert help for your hip pain closer to home. 

If you are struggling with any type of hip pain, you will understandably want help to get out of pain as quickly and fully as possible so that you can get back to normal life again.

With rapid access to experienced consultants, we can arrange a private consultation for you at a time that is convenient for you. This will usually be possible within a week.

A significant advantage of private care is that you will see a consultant at your very first consultation. This makes every aspect of your care, from initial assessment, through to diagnosis and treatment much quicker and more streamlined.

Should you be considering private treatment at The Princess Margaret for your hip pain, you can easily check current NHS waiting times to compare. Visit the My Planned Care NHS website to see current waiting times for orthopaedic treatments (which includes many of the treatments for hip pain) within the Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust. The information is updated weekly.

To avoid delays in getting the help you need, why not book a private consultation with a consultant of your choice at a time that is convenient for you?

Waiting times for hip problems do vary and can be affected by a range of factors, including increased demand, availability of operating theatres (and staff) and ongoing Covid-related issues. As a result, many people living in and around Windsor are opting for private treatment at The Princess Margaret to avoid delays and to get their hip pain managed and under control sooner.

With many possible causes of hip pain, an accurate diagnosis is essential to ensure you get the most appropriate treatment. This begins with your first private consultation at The Princess Margaret.

When you first meet with your consultant, they will talk with you in detail about your hip pain. They may ask you:

• When your first noticed your back pain
• Where you have your back the pain
• The type of back pain you have
• What effect your back pain is having on daily life
• Whether you have any other symptoms that are causing you concern
• If you have any underlying medical conditions
• Whether your back pain has been getting worse

A clinical examination will normally be carried out of your back, and possibly of your hip, knee and leg as well if they suspect referred pain.

While this may be all that is needed to confirm a diagnosis, further diagnostic imaging such as X-rays, CT, MRI or ultrasound will often be needed. With superb on-site diagnostic facilities, these are all easily arranged for you if required.

Once any results are back, your consultant will meet with you again to discuss them and to explore treatment options with you.

If you have any questions or concerns, they will be very happy to talk these through with you.

Details of our fixed price packages can be seen here. (You will always receive written confirmation of treatment price after your initial consultation and after any necessary diagnostic tests have been carried out.)

At The Princess Margaret, experienced physiotherapists and consultant orthopaedic surgeons provide assessment, diagnosis and treatment for back pain to private patients in Windsor and the surrounding areas.

If you would like them to help you get out of hip pain and back to a better quality of life, why not book your private consultation today?