Where is hip pain usually felt?

Hip pain may be felt in the groin, outer hip, buttock or thigh depending on the structure involved.

What causes buttock pain?

Buttock pain may come from the hip, sacroiliac joint or lower back, including sciatic nerve irritation.

What is the most common cause of outer hip pain?

Gluteal tendinopathy and greater trochanteric pain syndrome are common causes of outer hip pain.

Can groin pain come from the hip joint?

Yes. Groin pain can come from the hip joint, including hip impingement, labral irritation and hip arthritis.

When should I get hip pain checked?

You should seek assessment if pain is severe, worsening, affects walking, sleep or function, or follows trauma.

Hip, Groin & Buttock Pain Guide (Diagnosis Pathway & FAQs)

Article by John Miller & Erin Runge

Hip, groin and buttock pain often overlap, and the source is not always where you feel it. The tricky part is that pain in this region may come from the hip joint, groin muscles, sacroiliac joint, nearby nerves, or the gluteal tendons on the outside of the hip.

This hip, groin and buttock pain guide helps you narrow down the likely cause based on location, symptoms and triggers. Then you can move to the most relevant PhysioWorks page or book an assessment for clearer diagnosis and treatment advice.

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Start Here: Quick Diagnosis Pathway

Choose the option that best matches your pain:

Front hip or groin pain → Hip Flexor Pain, Adductor Tendinopathy, Groin Strain, or Hip Labral Tear
Outer hip pain → Gluteal Tendinopathy, Greater Trochanteric Pain Syndrome (GTPS), or Trochanteric Bursitis
Deep buttock pain → Piriformis Syndrome, SIJ Pain, or Sciatica
Clicking, catching or sharp hip pain → Hip Impingement or Hip Labral Tear
Stiff, aching hip → Hip Arthritis

Step 1: Where is your pain?

Front Hip or Groin

Front hip or groin pain often relates to the hip flexors, adductors, pubic region, or the hip joint itself.

Outer Hip

Outer hip pain is commonly linked to gluteal tendon overload and related lateral hip pain conditions.

Buttock or Referred Pain

Buttock pain can come from deep hip structures, the pelvis, or the lower back and sciatic nerve pathway.

Key Difference Snapshot

Side-lying pain → more suggestive of gluteal tendon or GTPS irritation
Pain with prolonged sitting → may fit sciatica, deep gluteal symptoms, or joint irritation
Clicking, catching or pinching → may point more towards a hip joint issue such as impingement or labral irritation
Pain with sprinting, kicking or quick change of direction → often points towards muscle or tendon overload around the groin

Step 2: What does your pain feel like?

Sharp or catching → more consistent with joint irritation such as labral tear or impingement
Deep ache → may relate to tendon overload or joint irritation
Burning, tingling or travelling pain → more suggestive of nerve-related pain
Stiffness → may reflect arthritis or hip joint restriction

Step 3: What makes it worse?

Running or sport → tendon or muscle overload is more likely
Sitting → sciatic irritation, deep gluteal pain, or hip joint irritation may be involved
Side lying → often aggravates gluteal tendinopathy or GTPS
Twisting or pivoting → may aggravate labral tear or hip impingement

When should you worry about hip, groin or buttock pain?

Seek help sooner if your pain is severe, worsening, follows trauma, causes weakness or numbness, wakes you at night, or makes walking difficult. Early assessment is also sensible if your pain keeps returning with sport, stairs, sitting, or side lying.

Healthdirect notes that hip pain can also be referred from another area, which is one reason these symptoms can be difficult to self-diagnose.

Can physiotherapy help hip, groin and buttock pain?

Physiotherapy aims to identify the primary pain source and guide treatment based on movement, strength, load management and function. Because hip, groin, buttock and lower back symptoms often overlap, accurate assessment matters.

Related Guides

What to do next

If your symptoms match one of the conditions above, open that page and compare the features carefully. If the source still is not clear, a physiotherapy assessment can help identify whether the main driver is the hip joint, groin muscles, gluteal tendons, sacroiliac joint, or a nerve-related problem.