Hip Pain
Get back to walking, climbing stairs, and sleeping on your side without bracing for the next sharp catch. Non-surgical, evidence-based treatment for hip pain, built around your specific case.
Request ConsultationRichmond, VA · Clinically supervised · 4.9★ Google
Understanding Hip Pain
Hip pain is one of the most common reasons adults reduce their activity. It is also one of the most misdiagnosed.
Approximately 14% of adults aged 60 and older report significant hip pain on most days. The hip is a deep, weight-bearing ball-and-socket joint that absorbs and transfers force with every step. When something in that system fails, the pain can show up in the groin, the side of the hip, the buttock, the lower back, or even the knee. The location of the pain often does not match the location of the problem.
Hip pain is rarely just a hip problem. The hip works in coordination with the lumbar spine, the pelvis, and the knee. When one part of that chain compensates for another, the resulting pain pattern can be confusing. Treating the hip in isolation often misses what is actually driving the symptom.
At Joint Freedom, we treat hip pain across the full spectrum. From acute labral injuries to chronic osteoarthritis, from gluteal tendinopathy to post-injury inflammation. Every patient gets a personalized plan built around the specific structure that is driving their pain.
Source: National Institute on Aging, prevalence of hip and joint pain in older adults.
Who Gets Hip Pain?
Hip pain affects people across age and activity level, but certain factors increase your risk. What matters is identifying your specific combination of factors so we can address them directly.
Common Risk Factors
- Age (cartilage wear is progressive, peak osteoarthritis incidence after 50)
- Previous hip injuries
- Excess body weight (each pound loads the hip joint with multiple pounds of force during activity)
- Repetitive impact activity (running, jumping, court sports)
- Sedentary posture (deconditioned glutes and core, tight hip flexors)
- Female biology (hip osteoarthritis more common in women after age 50)
- Hip structural variations (dysplasia, FAI morphology)
- Genetics and family history of hip arthritis
- Underlying conditions (rheumatoid arthritis, hip dysplasia, autoimmune disease)
HIP PAIN IN ADULTS 60+
~14%
Most days, NIA prevalence
Symptoms and When to Seek Treatment
Hip pain rarely stays in one place. Here is how to know when it is time to get help.
Common Symptoms
- Pain in the groin, side of the hip, or buttock
- Pain that worsens with weight-bearing activity
- Stiffness, especially after sitting or in the morning
- Reduced range of motion when rotating or flexing the hip
- Difficulty putting on shoes, socks, or getting in and out of a car
- Pain when sleeping on the affected side
- Clicking, catching, or locking in the joint
- Pain that radiates to the knee or lower back
See a Specialist If...
- Pain has lasted more than two weeks
- Pain interferes with sleep, walking, or daily activity
- You cannot bear full weight on the affected hip
- Range of motion is progressively decreasing
- You hear or feel a pop, especially with immediate pain or instability
- Numbness, tingling, or weakness extends into the leg
- Over-the-counter medication is not working
If you are unsure, schedule a free consultation. We will tell you honestly whether treatment is right for you.
Common Causes of Hip Pain
Understanding what is causing your hip pain is the first step toward fixing it.
MOST COMMON
Hip Osteoarthritis
The most common cause of chronic hip pain in adults over 50. Mechanical wear of the cartilage that cushions the hip joint. Often presents as deep groin pain, stiffness, and reduced range of motion. Progresses gradually but responds well to combined regenerative therapy and load management.
INFLAMMATION
Hip Bursitis
Inflammation of the fluid-filled sac on the outer side of the hip (trochanteric bursitis). Often presents as sharp pain on the side of the hip that worsens with sleeping on the affected side, climbing stairs, or rising from a seated position.
TENDINOPATHY
Gluteal Tendinopathy
Chronic irritation or partial tearing of the gluteus medius and minimus tendons where they attach to the outer hip. Often presents as lateral hip pain that mimics bursitis. One of the most common causes of lateral hip pain in adults over 40.
ACUTE INJURY
Hip Labral Tear
Damage to the cartilage rim of the hip socket. Often presents as deep groin pain, catching, clicking, or locking with specific movements. Common in athletes and adults with FAI morphology.
STRUCTURAL
Hip Impingement (FAI)
Femoroacetabular impingement, where bone shape causes friction between the ball and socket of the hip. Often presents as deep groin or front-of-hip pain with squatting, sitting for long periods, or rotating the hip.
REFERRED
Sacroiliac Joint Dysfunction
The joint where the spine meets the pelvis becomes inflamed or unstable, presenting as one-sided hip or buttock pain that can be mistaken for hip joint pain.
BROADER PATTERN
Greater Trochanteric Pain Syndrome
A broader term covering lateral hip pain that includes bursitis, gluteal tendinopathy, and surrounding soft tissue irritation. Particularly common in women after 40.
How We Diagnose Your Hip Pain
Finding the right treatment starts with understanding what is actually causing your pain.
Clinical Evaluation
We start with a thorough history and physical examination. Where it hurts, when it started, what makes it better or worse, what positions help. Specific tests isolate the joint, the labrum, the tendons, and the surrounding structures.
Movement and Function Assessment
We assess your hip range of motion, strength, and how the hip works in coordination with the lumbar spine, pelvis, and knee. Hip pain is rarely just a hip problem.
Imaging When Needed
If imaging is indicated, we coordinate X-ray, MRI, or ultrasound. X-ray is appropriate for evaluating arthritic changes and bone morphology. MRI is appropriate for soft tissue and labral evaluation. We do not order tests you do not need.
Clinical Evaluation
We start with a thorough history and physical examination. Where it hurts, when it started, what makes it better or worse, what positions help. Specific tests isolate the joint, the labrum, the tendons, and the surrounding structures.
Movement and Function Assessment
We assess your hip range of motion, strength, and how the hip works in coordination with the lumbar spine, pelvis, and knee. Hip pain is rarely just a hip problem.
Imaging When Needed
If imaging is indicated, we coordinate X-ray, MRI, or ultrasound. X-ray is appropriate for evaluating arthritic changes and bone morphology. MRI is appropriate for soft tissue and labral evaluation. We do not order tests you do not need.
What You Can Do at Home
Before your first visit, or while waiting for your consultation, these steps can help manage your pain and prevent it from getting worse.
What Helps
- Strengthening the glutes, core, and posterior chain
- Stretching the hip flexors, hamstrings, and piriformis
- Heat for muscle stiffness, ice for acute inflammation
- Sleeping on your back or unaffected side with a pillow between your knees
- Reducing prolonged sitting (stand and walk every 30 to 45 minutes)
- Maintaining a healthy weight to reduce load on the joint
- Low-impact cardiovascular activity (swimming, cycling, walking)
What to Avoid
- Forcing range of motion through pain
- High-impact activity on inflamed or arthritic hips
- Sitting for hours without breaks
- Sleeping on the affected side
- Repetitive deep squats or lunges that reproduce the pain
- Crossing the legs for long periods (loads the hip joint asymmetrically)
- Relying solely on anti-inflammatory medication
These steps help, but they are not a substitute for professional evaluation. If pain persists beyond two weeks, it is time to get help.
How We Treat Hip Pain
Three evidence-based options. Often combined. Always personalized.
LIGHTFORCE XLi
Laser Therapy
Non-invasive deep tissue laser therapy that reduces inflammation in the hip joint, surrounding tendons, and bursae. Particularly effective for bursitis, gluteal tendinopathy, and early-stage hip osteoarthritis. Ten-minute sessions, no downtime.
REGENERATIVE MEDICINE
PRP Therapy
Platelet-rich plasma uses your body's own growth factors to regenerate damaged tissue. Particularly effective for gluteal tendinopathy, partial labral tears, and chronic tendon irritation around the hip.
METABOLIC HEALTH
Weight Loss Support
Every pound of body weight translates to multiple pounds of force across the hip joint with each step. Medically supervised weight loss reduces wear, reduces inflammation, and creates better conditions for every other treatment to work.
Which Treatment Is Right for Your Hip Pain?
Different causes call for different approaches. Here is how we typically build a plan.
01
INFLAMMATION-DRIVEN
Start with Laser
For trochanteric bursitis, gluteal tendinopathy, and acute hip joint inflammation, we typically start with laser therapy. Many cases resolve within a few sessions, particularly when paired with movement work to address the patterns that caused the problem.
02
MODERATE HIP OA
Add PRP
For patients with imaging-confirmed hip arthritis and persistent pain, we layer in PRP. Combined with laser to reduce inflammation and weight loss support where applicable, this is where most of our hip arthritis patients see significant change.
03
ADVANCED HIP OA
Defer Replacement
For patients with severe hip arthritis who have been told they need hip replacement, our goal is to extend the functional life of the joint. Combined PRP, laser, and weight management can defer surgery for years and, for some patients, prevent it entirely.
04
COMPLEX CASES
Multi-Modal Approach
For complex cases with multiple contributors (joint, tendon, and surrounding tissue), we combine modalities. Laser for inflammation, PRP for tissue regeneration, and movement-based rehabilitation to restore function.
Your plan is built around your specific hip and your specific case. We will walk you through exactly why we recommend what we recommend.
How Joint Freedom Compares
What you are really weighing when you consider your options for hip pain.
 | Cortisone Injections | Hip Replacement | Pain Medication | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| What it does | Regenerates tissue, restores cushioning, reduces inflammation | Masks inflammation | Replaces the joint surgically | Masks pain |
| Recovery time | None to minimal | 1 to 2 days | Weeks to months | None |
| Addresses root cause | Yes, mechanical | No | Yes, surgically | No |
| Long-term results | Durable, can defer surgery | Temporary (3 to 6 months) | Permanent, with risk | Ongoing use required |
| Risk of side effects | Minimal | Moderate | High | High |
| Cortisone Injections | Hip Replacement | Pain Medication | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| What it does | Regenerates tissue, restores cushioning, reduces inflammation | Masks inflammation | Replaces the joint surgically | Masks pain |
| Recovery time | None to minimal | 1 to 2 days | Weeks to months | None |
| Addresses root cause | Yes, mechanical | No | Yes, surgically | No |
| Long-term results | Durable, can defer surgery | Temporary (3 to 6 months) | Permanent, with risk | Ongoing use required |
| Risk of side effects | Minimal | Moderate | High | High |
Real Hip Pain Patients. Real Results.
Verified reviews from patients across the Richmond metro area.
4.9★
Across 46 verified Google reviews.
Questions About Hip Pain
Answers from our clinical team.
The hip joint sits deep in the body, and pain from the joint itself often refers to the groin or front of the thigh. Pain on the outside of the hip more typically comes from the bursa, gluteal tendons, or surrounding soft tissue, not the joint itself. The location of the pain is one of the most useful clues for identifying the cause.
Often, yes. Many patients told they need hip replacement respond well to combined PRP and weight management. We help patients defer surgery, sometimes indefinitely. Surgery remains appropriate for severe end-stage cases where the joint has structural damage beyond what regenerative therapy can address.
Several reasons. Lying on the affected side compresses the bursa, gluteal tendons, and surrounding tissue. Lying still allows inflammation to peak. Side sleeping with the upper leg falling forward also stretches structures that may already be irritated. Night pain is one of the strongest indicators that the lateral hip structures are involved.
PRP results often emerge over two to three months and last six months to over a year, depending on the underlying problem. Many patients return for periodic maintenance series.
Many of our hip patients have. Cortisone offers temporary relief but does not address the underlying tissue or joint problem. PRP works on the structures themselves. Patients who have stopped responding to cortisone often respond well to regenerative therapy.
In most cases, yes, with modifications. We help you identify what to maintain, what to modify, and what to avoid. Maintaining cardiovascular fitness through low-impact activity supports recovery. We will give you specific guidance for your case.
Depends on the cause. Bursitis and gluteal tendinopathy often respond to laser within a few sessions. PRP for tendon and labral issues typically shows meaningful change between weeks four and eight. Hip osteoarthritis often shows progressive improvement over two to three months of combined regenerative therapy.
Not always. X-ray is often sufficient for evaluating hip arthritis. MRI is appropriate for soft tissue evaluation, suspected labral tears, or when the clinical picture is unclear. We do not order imaging that will not change the plan.
Cost depends on which therapies we use and the length of your plan. Laser therapy is the most accessible entry point. PRP represents a larger investment, but often replaces the cost of surgery, ongoing pain medication, or repeated cortisone injections. Exact pricing is provided during your consultation.
We typically schedule consultations within one week. Same-week appointments are often available.
Pricing
Hip pain treatment cost depends on which therapies we use and the length of your plan. Laser therapy is the most accessible entry point. PRP injections represent a larger investment, but one that often replaces the cost of surgery, ongoing medication, or repeated cortisone injections.
We build plans around what will actually work for your hip, not around what insurance happens to cover. Exact pricing is provided during your free consultation.
Payment Options
- HSA and FSA payments accepted for eligible treatments
- Joint Freedom does not bill insurance directly
- Regenerative therapies (PRP) typically not insurance-covered
- Transparent pricing provided during consultation
- Payment plans available for qualifying treatment plans
- All major credit cards accepted
Your First Visit
Your first visit is a free consultation. No commitment, no pressure. We review your history, evaluate your hip, and discuss which treatments make sense for your specific situation. If we can help, we build your plan together with clear expectations, timelines, and pricing.
If we are not the right fit, we will tell you that honestly and recommend what is. The consultation takes about thirty minutes. You leave with answers, not a sales pitch.
What to Bring
- Any prior imaging (X-rays, MRIs) if available
- A list of medications and supplements
- Notes on when and how your pain started
- Questions about treatments you have considered
- Comfortable clothing that allows us to examine your hip
Related Conditions We Treat
Hip pain often shows up alongside other issues. If any of these sound familiar, we can help.
COMPENSATION INJURY
Lower Back Pain
Hip dysfunction often produces compensation patterns that load the lumbar spine. We frequently treat both together.
REFERRED PAIN
Knee Pain
Hip mechanics directly affect knee load. Knee pain in adults with hip arthritis often improves when the hip is treated.
NERVE INVOLVEMENT
Sciatica
Buttock pain can come from the hip joint, from the sacroiliac joint, or from sciatic nerve irritation. Distinguishing them changes the treatment plan.
CHRONIC JOINT CONDITION
Arthritis
If your hip pain is part of a broader arthritis diagnosis, we can help you manage it comprehensively across multiple joints.
Ready to walk and sleep without pain?
Find out what is causing your hip pain and what you can do about it. Free consultation. No pressure. No pitch.
Address
2301 N Parham Rd, Ste 1Henrico, VA 23229
Phone
Hours
Monday – Thursday: 9:30am – 4:30pm · Friday: 9:00am – 1:00pm · Saturday & Sunday: Closed
We proudly serve patients throughout the Richmond metropolitan area, including Richmond, Henrico, Glen Allen, Short Pump, Midlothian, Mechanicsville, and Chesterfield, and surrounding Virginia communities.