Hip pain is a common musculoskeletal problem affecting people across Southampton, Winchester, Portsmouth, Bournemouth, and Romsey. One of the most frequent causes is hip osteoarthritis, but pain can also come from muscles, tendons, bursae, or referred pain from the lower back.
This page explains the most common causes of hip pain, how it is assessed using musculoskeletal ultrasound, and the treatment options available through physiotherapy and guided injections.
Patients can access assessment and treatment via Physio Soton hip pain clinic.
Hip osteoarthritis (sometimes called hip arthritis) is a degenerative condition where the cartilage inside the hip joint gradually wears down. This leads to stiffness, inflammation, and pain during movement.
Hip osteoarthritis is more common with age but can also develop after injury or long-term joint stress.
Not all hip pain is caused by arthritis. Many patients seen in a hip pain clinic in Southampton or Hampshire actually have soft tissue or tendon-related conditions.
Common causes include:
Because symptoms overlap, accurate diagnosis is essential before treatment.
Hip pain is assessed using a combination of:
Ultrasound imaging is commonly used in private physiotherapy and ultrasound-guided hip injection clinics in Southampton and Hampshire to assess:
Treatment depends on the underlying diagnosis and severity of symptoms.
Physiotherapy is often the first-line treatment for hip pain and osteoarthritis, focusing on:
In selected cases, ultrasound-guided hip injections in Southampton and Hampshire may be used to help reduce pain and inflammation.
These may include:
These procedures are performed under ultrasound guidance to improve accuracy and safety.
Full clinical assessment, musculoskeletal ultrasound scanning, and ultrasound-guided injections are available through Physio Soton.
This allows patients to be assessed and treated in a single pathway where appropriate, combining:
This service is available for patients from:
👉 Appointments can be booked via Physio Soton.
You should consider assessment if you experience:
Early assessment can help identify the cause and prevent long-term stiffness or functional decline.
Hip pain can arise from many causes, including hip osteoarthritis, tendon injuries, bursitis, and referred pain from the lower back. A structured assessment using clinical examination and ultrasound imaging can help identify the source of pain and guide effective treatment.
Physiotherapy and ultrasound-guided injections can help reduce pain, improve mobility, and support long-term hip health.
The most common cause of hip pain is hip osteoarthritis, especially in adults over 50. However, soft tissue conditions such as gluteal tendinopathy, bursitis, or GTPS are also very common.
Hip osteoarthritis typically causes groin pain, stiffness, and reduced movement, especially after rest. Outer hip pain is more often related to tendons or bursae. Assessment is often needed to confirm the cause.
Ultrasound does not directly show cartilage loss but can identify inflammation, bursitis, tendon problems, and guide injections. X-rays are usually required to confirm osteoarthritis.
They can reduce pain and inflammation in conditions such as hip osteoarthritis and bursitis. They do not cure arthritis but can improve symptoms and support rehabilitation.
Most patients describe them as mildly uncomfortable. A local anaesthetic is used and ultrasound guidance improves accuracy and comfort.
Relief may last from weeks to several months depending on the condition and activity level. They are often combined with physiotherapy for longer-term benefit.
If pain lasts more than a few weeks, affects walking or sleep, or is worsening, a clinical assessment is recommended.
Yes. Physiotherapy improves strength, mobility, and function, and is a key part of managing hip osteoarthritis long term.