14 Common Causes of Hip Pain When Walking
1. Osteoarthritis
Hip osteoarthritis develops as the cartilage cushioning the joint wears down over time, according to the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases. Pain and stiffness are usually worse when you first start walking and after long periods of activity, and morning stiffness that eases with movement is common.
2. Trochanteric Bursitis
The bursa on the outside of the hip can become inflamed from repetitive motion or direct pressure, a condition known as greater trochanteric pain syndrome, per the National Library of Medicine. It typically causes tenderness on the outer hip that worsens with walking, climbing stairs, or lying on that side.
3. Labral Tear
The labrum is a ring of cartilage that stabilizes the hip socket, and a tear here can cause a catching or locking sensation with certain steps or pivots. Labral tears often develop alongside structural issues in the joint and may go unnoticed until walking or twisting motions consistently trigger discomfort.
4. Femoroacetabular Impingement (FAI)
FAI occurs when extra bone growth around the hip joint causes the ball and socket to rub abnormally during movement, according to NCBI’s StatPearls. This friction often causes groin pain that’s most noticeable when walking briskly, squatting, or climbing stairs.
5. Hip Tendinitis
The tendons connecting muscles to the hip, particularly the gluteal and hip flexor tendons, can become inflamed from overuse or a sudden increase in activity. This usually causes an ache that builds gradually and is most noticeable at the start of a walk or after standing up from sitting.
6. Hip Flexor Strain
A strained hip flexor, the muscle group that lifts your leg while walking, can cause sharp pain at the front of the hip with every step. This is common after activities that involve sudden acceleration, kicking, or repetitive stair climbing, and our sports medicine team frequently treats it in active patients.
7. Snapping Hip Syndrome
Snapping hip syndrome occurs when a tendon or muscle slides over a bony part of the hip, producing an audible snap or popping sensation with each stride. It’s often painless at first but can develop into persistent discomfort with continued walking or running.
8. Sciatica or Piriformis Syndrome
When the sciatic nerve is compressed by the piriformis muscle or a structure in the lower spine, pain can radiate from the lower back through the buttock and down the leg, according to the National Institutes of Health. Walking often aggravates this pain, and our guide to relieving sciatica pain covers treatment options in more depth.
9. Meralgia Paresthetica
Meralgia paresthetica happens when the lateral femoral cutaneous nerve, a purely sensory nerve running from the lower spine to the outer thigh, becomes compressed near the groin, according to NCBI’s StatPearls. Rather than an ache, it typically causes burning, tingling, or numbness over the outer thigh that can worsen with prolonged walking or standing and ease with sitting. Tight clothing or belts, obesity, and pregnancy are common contributing factors.
10. Osteonecrosis (Avascular Necrosis)
Osteonecrosis develops when blood supply to the hip bone is disrupted, causing the bone tissue to weaken and eventually collapse, per NIAMS. Pain typically starts gradually with weight-bearing activity like walking and worsens as the condition progresses, making early diagnosis important.
11. Stress Fracture
Repetitive impact without adequate recovery can cause tiny cracks in the femoral neck or pelvis, especially in runners and athletes who increase training volume quickly. A 2024 review in Current Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Reports emphasizes that early recognition of these bone stress injuries prevents progression to a complete fracture, which is why persistent walking-related hip pain in athletes should be evaluated with imaging.
12. Hip Fracture
A true hip fracture is a medical emergency, most often resulting from a fall in older adults with reduced bone density. The CDC notes that hip fractures are a leading cause of injury-related hospitalization among older adults, and any inability to walk or bear weight after a fall needs immediate care. Our article on hip dislocation covers a related traumatic injury.
13. Referred Pain from the Lower Back
Conditions like a herniated disc or spinal stenosis in the lower back can cause pain that’s felt in the hip and leg even though the hip joint itself is healthy, according to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. Our guide to recognizing herniated disc symptoms can help you tell the difference.
14. Inguinal Hernia
An inguinal hernia occurs when tissue pushes through a weak spot in the lower abdominal wall, and it can cause groin and hip pain that worsens with walking, standing, or straining, per the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. Because this isn’t an orthopedic condition, a proper evaluation helps rule it in or out.
How an Orthopedic Specialist Can Help
With this many possible causes, self-diagnosing walking-related hip pain is difficult, and treating the wrong condition can delay real relief. Our clinic combines hip specialists, on-site imaging, and physical therapy to pinpoint the actual source of pain rather than guessing. Treatment plans range from conservative options like therapy, activity modification, and pain management to advanced procedures, including joint replacement for patients with advanced arthritis. Every case is evaluated individually so patients get a plan matched to their actual diagnosis.