For active patients, hip pain can quickly move from a minor annoyance to a major obstacle in maintaining a healthy lifestyle. Unfortunately, many patients struggle to receive an accurate diagnosis, often seeing multiple specialists without clear answers or treating the wrong condition altogether. In this post, let’s explore the top misdiagnoses that may be masking the true source of hip pain.
Hip Pain Isn’t Always What It Seems
Athletes and fitness enthusiasts are frequently told they have groin strains, hamstring pulls, or lower back issues. However, the true source often lies deeper—within the hip joint itself. Structural conditions like femoroacetabular impingement (FAI) or labral tears are often mistaken for soft tissue injuries, leading to delays in proper diagnosis and treatment. Other times problems in the joint can cause secondary problems in the muscles as the body tries to adapt and protect the injured area.
Misdiagnosis #1: Groin Strain
A persistent ache in the groin after exercise is often chalked up to a strain, especially in athletes. But in many, if not most cases, the real culprit is a labral tear or FAI, which causes referred pain in the groin area. Unlike a muscle strain, the discomfort lingers and can last despite weeks of conservative treatment.
Misdiagnosis #2: Lower Back Pain
Because the spine, pelvis, and hip work together, it’s not uncommon for patients with hip joint pathology to be misdiagnosed with lumbar spine issues such as herniated discs or sciatica. While imaging may show some degenerative changes in the spine, the true origin of pain may be the hip joint or surrounding muscles, and only a thorough hip-specific exam will uncover it.
Misdiagnosis #3: Bursitis or Tendinitis
Active patients are often told they have hip bursitis or tendinitis, particularly when pain is felt on the outer hip or thigh. While these are real conditions, they’re also frequently secondary to deeper joint problems. If standard treatments like anti-inflammatory medications and physical therapy aren’t improving symptoms, it’s time to investigate structural hip issues more closely.
How to Get an Accurate Diagnosis for Your Hip Pain
The key to avoiding misdiagnosis is consulting a specialist who focuses specifically on the hip joint. A proper evaluation includes a detailed physical exam, activity history, and advanced imaging such as MRI or hip-specific X-rays. Only then can conditions like FAI, labral tears, or early arthritis be properly identified and treated.
If you're active and still asking, “Why does my hip hurt?” after multiple visits to the doctor, you may be treating the wrong condition. An accurate diagnosis is the first step toward lasting relief and a full return to activity. Consulting a specialist can ensure you’re getting the right care for a full recovery.
AUTHOR: Benjamin Domb, MD, is a board-certified, fellowship-trained orthopedic surgeon specializing in sports medicine and hip arthroscopy. He is the Founder and Medical Director of the American Hip Institute. Recognized among the top doctors in the U.S. by The New York Times, U.S. News & World Report, and Castle Connolly, Dr. Domb is known for his leadership in advancing hip preservation and minimally invasive surgical techniques.
AUTHOR: Etan Sugarman, MD, is a board-certified, fellowship-trained orthopedic surgeon specializing in sports medicine and hip arthroscopy. He is the Director of Joint Preservation at the American Hip Institute. Dr. Sugarman has taught and published extensively in hip preservation and minimally invasive surgical techniques.
