HIP
PAIN
Hip pain can spread to the groin, buttock or thigh and interfere with walking, sleep and everyday movement. With Dr. Verbitskiy in Maribor, we first establish whether the pain truly comes from the hip joint or from the spine, muscles and surrounding structures.
The hip is a large ball-and-socket joint that carries the weight of the trunk and makes walking, climbing stairs and sitting possible. Pain that a patient describes as "hip pain" often does not come from the joint itself, but from the lumbar spine, the sacroiliac joint, or the muscles and tendons on the outer side of the hip.
Why hip pain occurs
Hip pain can have several causes, from overload of soft tissues to joint wear:
- 🔹 Wear of the joint cartilage (hip osteoarthritis) in older people or after previous injuries
- 🔹 Overload of the tendons and bursae on the outer side of the hip (trochanteric pain syndrome)
- 🔹 Tension in the buttock, thigh and hip flexor muscles from prolonged sitting
- 🔹 Pain referred from the lumbar spine or the sacroiliac joint
- 🔹 Uneven loading due to different leg lengths or altered posture
- 🔹 Previous injuries, falls or operations in the pelvis and hip area
How hip pain presents
Symptoms vary depending on the cause, but often include:
- 🔹 Pain in the groin or on the outer side of the hip when walking
- 🔹 Pain when standing up from a seat or putting on shoes
- 🔹 Pain at night when lying on the affected side
- 🔹 Morning stiffness or reduced range of motion in the hip
- 🔹 Pain radiating to the thigh or knee
- 🔹 A feeling of limping or a shortened stride
How we treat hip pain
With hip pain, an accurate assessment is essential, because very different problems can cause the same symptom. We adapt the treatment to the cause that has been identified.
1. Assessment of condition
Examination of the mobility of the hip, spine and pelvis, and identifying which structure is causing the pain.
2. Manual therapy
Release of tight muscles and improved joint mobility with gentle manual techniques.
3. Strengthening and guidance
Exercises for the buttock and trunk muscles and guidance on everyday loading of the hip.
Hip pain we help with
People most often come to us with these problems:
- 🔹 Hip pain when walking and getting up
- 🔹 Pain radiating to the groin or thigh
- 🔹 Hip pain at night when lying on the side
- 🔹 Morning stiffness of the hip
- 🔹 Wear of the hip (osteoarthritis)
- 🔹 Tension in the pelvic and buttock muscles
Signs that require immediate attention
Seek medical help immediately if hip pain appears after a fall or a blow, if you cannot put weight on the leg, if the hip is visibly deformed, or if the pain is accompanied by fever, redness or swelling of the joint. Sudden pain with no clear reason in people with osteoporosis is also a cause for concern.
With pain that develops gradually and limits you when walking or sleeping, it makes sense to have an assessment early. In marked joint wear, manual therapy does not replace orthopaedic care, but as a complement it can help with mobility and with reducing tension in the surrounding muscles.
What our patients say
Verbitskiy, Manualna terapija - Osteopatija, diagnostika, rehabilitacija, d.o.o. · Maribor
Watch videos about manual therapy and osteopathy on our YouTube channel.
Visit YouTube channel →Frequently asked questions about hip pain
How do you tell hip pain from low back pain?
Pain from the hip joint is often felt in the groin and the front of the thigh, while pain from the spine is felt in the lumbar area and buttock. They are reliably distinguished by a clinical examination and, if needed, imaging.
Is lying on my side with a painful hip harmful?
It is not harmful, but it is often uncomfortable. A pillow between the knees can help with sleep, and it makes sense to find out the cause of the pain.
Does manual therapy help with hip wear?
It does not remove joint wear, but it can reduce muscle tension around the joint and improve mobility. In advanced wear, an orthopaedic assessment is needed.
Do I need a referral?
No referral is needed for a visit; you can arrange an appointment directly by phone or WhatsApp.
Is rest recommended?
Complete rest is usually not necessary. We recommend adapted movement that does not worsen the pain; you will receive specific guidance after the examination.
How many treatments are needed?
It depends on the cause and how long the problem has lasted; milder overloads often improve within a few visits, while chronic problems require a longer programme.
Contact us
Get in touch with any questions or to book an appointment.
Please bring one large towel with you to your appointment.
Please confirm your appointment by phone or WhatsApp one hour beforehand, or two hours beforehand if you are travelling a long way. This way you avoid a wasted trip if an appointment has to be rescheduled at short notice.