The hip is made up of the hip bone (greater trochanter) and the surrounding structures, such as the muscles, tendons, and ligaments. An injury, a fracture, a tumor, or a disease that affects the hip joint, such as osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, or ankylosing spondylitis can cause hip pain.

Hip pain also may be caused by tendonitis (inflammation of a tendon around the joint capsule) or bursitis (inflammation of the thin, fluid-filled sac that protects the joint). Problems in the sacroiliac joints or low back can cause pain in the hip area.

A physician diagnoses hip pain by taking a medical history, performing a physical examination and possibly by taking a radiograph (x-ray) of the joint. Your doctor may order blood tests to determine whether your hip pain is caused by any diseases that may cause similar symptoms. Computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), or a bone scan may be performed if the doctor needs a clearer picture of the bones and surrounding structures.