Hip pain has many possible sources, from the joint itself to the surrounding tendons, bursa, or the lower back, and it is often misdiagnosed. At PHI in Beverly Hills, board-certified physicians Dr. Faisal Lalani and Dr. Nadiv Samimi identify the actual source and match it to the right treatment, from image-guided injections to regenerative medicine.
Hip Pain Has More Sources Than You Might Think
Hip pain is one of the most commonly misdiagnosed types of pain we see. Patients often arrive having been told they have hip arthritis when they actually have gluteal tendinopathy. Or they have been treated for back pain when their issue is in the hip. Or they have been told to wait for hip replacement when they have a labral tear that responds well to other treatments.
The hip is a complex region with multiple structures that can generate pain. Where you feel the pain, what makes it worse, and what makes it better all give important clues about what is actually happening. The right treatment depends entirely on the right diagnosis. This page walks through the most common patterns and what each typically means.
Where the Pain Is Tells Us a Lot
The location of hip pain often points to the source.
Pain in the groin or front of the hip
Pain felt deep in the groin or front of the hip usually points to the hip joint itself: hip arthritis, labral tears, hip flexor tendinopathy, or femoroacetabular impingement. Groin pain that worsens with weight-bearing often suggests joint involvement, while sharp pain with deep squatting or twisting may point to a labral tear. See our Hip Arthritis page for more on joint conditions.
Pain on the outside of the hip
Pain on the side of the hip, particularly when lying on that side or standing up after sitting, usually points to greater trochanteric bursitis, gluteal tendinopathy, or iliotibial band syndrome. This is one of the most commonly misdiagnosed patterns; many patients are treated for arthritis when the actual problem is in the surrounding tendons and bursa, which respond to different treatments.
Pain in the buttock or back of the hip
Pain in the buttock or back of the hip is often from outside the hip joint: sacroiliac joint dysfunction, piriformis syndrome, referred lower back pain, or hamstring tendinopathy. See our Sacroiliac Joint and Lower Back Pain pages for related information.
Pain that radiates down the leg, or catching and clicking
Pain radiating down the leg often points to nerve involvement from the lumbar spine (see our Sciatica page). Sharp catching, locking, or clicking can suggest labral tears, loose bodies, or impingement, which often benefit from imaging-confirmed diagnosis.
When to See Someone
Consider professional evaluation when your hip pain has lasted more than four to six weeks without improvement, when it is interfering with activities you want to do, when you are avoiding exercise because of it, when conservative treatments have not helped, or when you have been treated for one diagnosis without success and want a fresh evaluation.
Seek prompt evaluation if you experience sudden severe hip pain following an injury or fall, inability to bear weight on the leg, hip pain with fever or feeling unwell, or significant joint swelling, warmth, or redness. These can indicate fracture, infection, or other conditions requiring urgent evaluation.
How PHI Approaches Hip Pain
The first step is comprehensive evaluation to identify what is actually causing your pain: a detailed history of exactly where the pain is and what changes it, a physical examination with specific tests for joint, tendon, and referred pain, review of imaging, and sometimes a diagnostic injection to confirm the source when more than one diagnosis is possible.
Once the source is clear, treatment options include image-guided hip injections for joint-related pain (the hip capsule is deep, so PHI uses image guidance on every hip injection), PRP therapy for tendon-related pain such as gluteal, hip flexor, or hamstring tendinopathy and for early joint conditions, stem cell therapy for moderate to severe joint conditions, A2M therapy for cartilage involvement, and exosome therapy within comprehensive regenerative protocols. When advanced labral tears, severe arthritis, or specific structural issues call for surgery, we coordinate with surgical specialists. We do not apply the same protocol to every patient regardless of diagnosis.
Why PHI for Hip Pain
Two board-certified pain physicians
Dr. Faisal Lalani and Dr. Nadiv Samimi both trained in interventional pain at Cedars-Sinai and specialize in identifying what is actually causing hip pain and matching the right treatment to the right diagnosis.
Image-guided technique on every injection
Hip injections without imaging are notoriously inaccurate because of the depth of the joint. PHI uses image guidance for every hip injection, performed in our surgery center at 455 N Roxbury Drive, Suite B.
Diagnostic-first approach
Many hip pain patients arrive having been treated for the wrong diagnosis. We take time to identify what is actually causing your pain before recommending treatment.
Full range of treatments
Many practices offer cortisone and refer everything else out. PHI offers the full range from injections through regenerative medicine, matched to your specific diagnosis.
Coordination with surgical specialists
We do not try to convince patients to avoid surgery when surgery is the right answer for their specific condition.
Concierge, coordinated care
Single-physician continuity from consultation through treatment and return to activity. Patients receive clear guidance and transparent pricing at consultation.
Frequently Asked Questions
The location and pattern often give strong clues. Groin pain with weight-bearing typically suggests joint involvement. Pain on the side of the hip typically suggests bursitis or gluteal tendinopathy. Pain in the buttock often involves the SI joint or back. A thorough examination plus imaging usually identifies the source, and many patients are surprised their hip pain is not actually arthritis.
The hip joint capsule is deep beneath multiple layers of muscle and tissue. Without imaging guidance, injections often miss the joint capsule entirely, so the medication does not reach the intended target. Image guidance significantly improves accuracy and is considered standard for hip injections.
Maybe, maybe not. Many patients have arthritis on imaging that is not the primary source of their pain. You might have mild hip arthritis and significant gluteal tendinopathy that is the actual cause. Both can coexist, and a diagnostic injection can sometimes clarify which is contributing more.
A combination of where the pain is, what makes it worse, and physical examination tests. Hip joint pain is typically felt in the groin and worsens with weight-bearing; back-related hip pain often involves the buttock or extends down the leg. Sometimes the answer is both, and a comprehensive evaluation sorts this out.
Yes. Many hip pain patients are active people who developed pain from sport rather than age-related arthritis. PRP, A2M, and other regenerative options are particularly relevant for athletic hip injuries including tendinopathy, labral irritation, and post-injury pain.
Most hip pain does not require replacement. Replacement is appropriate for severe end-stage arthritis where non-surgical options have been adequately tried. For other sources of hip pain, replacement is typically not the answer. The first step is identifying what is actually wrong.
Insurance coverage and payment options may vary. We provide documentation for you to seek reimbursement through your out-of-network benefits, which may apply to certain services. All pricing is disclosed at consultation.
Contact our concierge team and we’ll coordinate your consultation and plan of care. Call (310) 856-9488 to discuss timing.
Yes. PHI regularly treats patients from outside Los Angeles, including Las Vegas, Palm Springs, London, and other international locations.
Treatments We Offer for Hip Pain
PHI offers the full range of evidence-based treatments for hip pain. Your physician will recommend the right option, or combination, based on the actual source of your pain, your imaging, and your treatment history.
- Hip Injections, image-guided
- PRP Therapy, strong evidence for tendon problems
- Stem Cell Therapy
- A2M Therapy
- Exosome Therapy
Schedule Your Hip Pain Consultation
A 60-minute consultation will identify the actual source of your hip pain, walk through the treatment options that match it, and give you a clear plan. Call (310) 856-9488 or book online now.