How to Use This Hip Pain Location Diagram
Pain location is a valuable starting point, but it is only one piece of the diagnostic picture. Several other factors help your doctor reach the correct diagnosis.
The onset matters — whether the pain came on suddenly following a specific incident, or gradually over weeks of training. What worsens or relieves the pain is equally important: pain that is worse with prolonged sitting suggests a different diagnosis than pain provoked exclusively by running. Associated symptoms such as pins and needles, numbness, or weakness point toward nerve involvement. A history of similar episodes, relevant medical conditions such as osteoporosis or inflammatory arthritis, and recent changes in training volume or sport all add important context.
Referred pain adds another layer of complexity. Pain felt at the front of the thigh, for example, can originate from the hip joint itself, the lumbar spine, or a peripheral nerve — all of which look identical on a pain map but require different treatment. Your doctor will examine the back, hip, and groin together, testing the hip joint, sacroiliac joints, pubic symphysis, and the tendons of the groin and buttock region to build a complete picture.
Investigations are selected based on the clinical assessment. X-ray visualises the bony pelvis and joint spaces. MRI provides detailed images of tendons, ligaments, cartilage, and bone marrow. Ultrasound identifies groin hernias, tendon pathology, and bursitis, and allows real-time guidance for injections into joints and tendons.
Lower buttock pain
- Hamstring origin tendonitis
- Ischiofemoral impingement
- Pudendal nerve entrapment
- Deep Gluteal sydrome
- Gluteus Maximus Enthesopathy
- Referred pain lumbar spine or hip joint
Upper buttock pain
Lateral hip pain
- Greater trochanteric pain syndrome
- TFL enthesopathy
- Snapping hip syndrome
- Gluteal tendon tear
- Gluteus maximus enthesopathy
Anterior hip pain
Groin pain
Inguinal pain
- Osteitis pubis
- Inguinal nerve entrapment
- Sports hernia
- Hernia - inguinal or femoral
Anterior thigh pain
Lateral thigh pain
Hamstring pain
- Hamstring origin tendonitis
- Proximal hamstring tendon tear
- Proximal hamstring muscle tear
- Referred pain from lumbar spine
When to See a Hip Specialist
Seek a specialist assessment if your hip pain has persisted beyond four to six weeks, is worsening despite rest, or is accompanied by swelling, warmth, or giving way. Acute groin pain after a sudden movement should be assessed promptly to exclude a stress fracture or tendon tear. Unexplained hip pain in older patients — particularly with night pain or unintentional weight loss — requires early investigation.
To book a hip assessment with Dr Lorenzo Masci at one of our central London clinics, call +44 (0) 203 488 0350 or visit our contact page. Chelsea is our most cost-effective self-pay location. Full clinic details are at sportdoctorlondon.com/clinic-locations/.
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