HIP and GROIN PAIN

Hip and groin pain is common in active people, and its causes are unusually varied — muscle, tendon, joint, bone, and nerve problems all present in the same region. A comprehensive MSK assessment identifies the true source. Dr Masci diagnoses and treats hip and groin pain at his London clinics, with X-ray, MRI, and ultrasound all available in a single visit. This guide explains the common causes and lets you explore them by location.

What are the most common causes of hip and groin pain?

Many MSK conditions cause pain in the hip and groin, and the likely cause depends on your age, activity level, and history. Among the most common are hip arthritis, hip labral tears, and stress fractures.

Groin pain has its own common causes. People often call sporting groin pain a “groin strain” or “groin pull”, assuming a muscle tear — but most longstanding groin pain has another source. The commonest is pubic overload, or osteitis pubis, though a sports hernia, a hip labral tear, and even endometriosis should be considered. Groin pain can also be referred from the lower back or sacroiliac joint.

What treatments are available for hip and groin pain?

Dr Masci has a particular interest in diagnosing and managing hip and groin pain. The first step is always an exact diagnosis, from a thorough history, a comprehensive examination, and the right scans. Standard X-ray, MRI, and MSK ultrasound can all be done in one clinic visit — Dr Masci helped develop a one-stop MRI scan for groin pain at OneWelbeck.

Once we identify the cause, the management plan usually combines activity modification, pain relief, and rehabilitation to strengthen the muscles around the hip and groin. Ultrasound-guided injections — cortisone, nerve blocks, and others — help in selected conditions. Dr Masci works in a groin group at OneWelbeck and refers seamlessly to colleagues in hip surgery, hernia surgery, or gynaecology as needed.

Frequently asked questions about hip and groin pain

Is hip pain the same as groin pain?

Not quite, but they overlap. Hip joint problems often cause groin pain because the joint sits deep behind the groin. Outer-hip pain usually points to tendon or bursa problems, while true groin pain suggests the pubic bone, adductor tendons, a hernia, or the hip joint itself.

When is hip and groin pain serious?

See a doctor promptly for pain that stops you from sleeping, follows a significant injury, wakes you at night, or comes with fever or unexplained weight loss. A suspected hip stress fracture, in particular, needs early assessment.

Which doctor should I see for hip and groin pain?

A sports and exercise medicine doctor can assess, scan, and treat most hip and groin pain in one visit — and refer to hip surgery, hernia, or gynaecology colleagues when needed. Most causes never need surgery.

Final word from Sport Doctor London about hip and groin pain

Hip and groin pain have many possible sources, and more than one can occur together. Identifying the location narrows the cause, but an accurate diagnosis requires examination and appropriate imaging. Most conditions respond to non-surgical treatment.

To book a one-stop hip and groin assessment with Dr Masci in London, contact his team here or call +44 (0) 203 488 0350.

Specific hip and groin conditions:

• Hip pain after running: every cause
• Hip pain from running: why it happens
• Hip pain location diagram
• Impingement of the hip
• Hip stress fracture
• Injections for hip arthritis
• Greater trochanteric pain syndrome
• Groin pain in runners
• Hip dysplasia

Click your pain location to find the likely cause