Hip pain can affect nearly every aspect of your daily life. Whether you’re climbing stairs, getting out of your car, taking a walk through your neighborhood, exercising, or simply getting up from a chair, discomfort in your hip can make even the simplest tasks feel challenging.

One of the biggest frustrations for many patients is not knowing what’s actually causing the pain. Because several hip conditions share similar symptoms, it’s easy to assume that every ache or stiffness points to the same problem. In reality, two of the most common causes of hip pain—hip arthritis and muscle strains—are very different conditions that require different treatment approaches.

Understanding the difference between these two conditions can help you seek the right care sooner, reduce unnecessary discomfort, and avoid making the injury worse.

At ProKinetics Physical Therapy in Brooklyn (Bensonhurst) and Manhattan (Chelsea), NYC, we specialize in identifying the root cause of hip pain and developing personalized rehabilitation plans that help patients regain mobility, reduce pain, and return to the activities they enjoy.

Why Identifying the Cause of Hip Pain Matters

The hip is one of the largest and strongest joints in the body. It supports your body weight every time you stand, walk, run, climb stairs, or bend down.

Because the hip is involved in nearly every movement you make, pain can originate from many different structures, including:

• The hip joint itself
• Muscles surrounding the hip
• Tendons
• Ligaments
• Cartilage
• Bursae (small fluid-filled sacs that reduce friction)
• The lower back or pelvis

This is why self-diagnosing hip pain can be difficult. Two people may describe similar symptoms but have completely different conditions requiring different treatment strategies.

A professional evaluation is often the best way to determine what’s really happening.

What Is Hip Arthritis?

Hip arthritis is a condition that develops when the smooth cartilage covering the ends of the bones inside the hip joint gradually wears away.

Healthy cartilage acts like a cushion, allowing the ball-and-socket joint to glide smoothly during movement. As this protective layer becomes thinner over time, bones begin rubbing against one another, causing pain, inflammation, stiffness, and reduced mobility.

The most common type is osteoarthritis, which develops gradually as part of the natural aging process. However, previous injuries, genetics, or repetitive joint stress may also contribute to earlier joint degeneration.

Common Symptoms of Hip Arthritis

Patients with hip arthritis often notice symptoms developing slowly over months or even years.

These may include:

• Deep aching pain in the groin, buttock, or outer hip
• Morning stiffness that improves after moving around
• Difficulty standing after prolonged sitting
• Pain when walking long distances
• Reduced range of motion
• Difficulty putting on shoes or socks
• Clicking or grinding sensations during movement
• Pain that gradually worsens over time

Many people find that arthritis pain is most noticeable first thing in the morning or after long periods of inactivity.

What Is a Hip Muscle Strain?

Unlike arthritis, a muscle strain usually develops suddenly.

A strain occurs when one or more muscles or tendons surrounding the hip are overstretched or partially torn. These injuries are common among athletes, active individuals, and people who perform repetitive lifting or sudden twisting movements.

Depending on the severity, muscle strains can range from mild overstretching to more significant tears.

Common Causes of Hip Muscle Strains

Muscle strains frequently occur during:

• Running
• Sprinting
• Sports involving quick direction changes
• Heavy lifting
• Slipping or falling
• Sudden twisting movements
• Overuse during exercise
• Inadequate warm-ups before activity

Even everyday activities can occasionally lead to muscle strains if the muscles are fatigued or weakened.

Symptoms of a Hip Muscle Strain

Unlike arthritis, muscle strains often have a very clear starting point.

Common symptoms include:

• Sudden sharp pain
• Pain during specific movements
• Muscle tenderness
• Swelling
• Mild bruising
• Weakness in the affected leg
• Difficulty walking immediately after injury

Most muscle strains improve gradually with appropriate rest, rehabilitation, and progressive strengthening.

Hip Arthritis vs. Muscle Strain: How Can You Tell the Difference?

Although both conditions cause hip pain, several characteristics help distinguish them.

Hip Arthritis	Hip Muscle Strain
Develops gradually	Often begins suddenly
Caused by joint degeneration	Caused by muscle or tendon injury
Deep aching pain	Sharp, localized pain
Morning stiffness	Pain during movement
Symptoms worsen over time	Symptoms improve with healing
Often affects older adults	Can occur at any age
Joint feels stiff	Muscle feels sore or tight

Keep in mind that some patients may experience both conditions at the same time, making a professional evaluation especially important.

When Should You See a Physical Therapist?

Many people try to “push through” hip pain or simply wait for it to improve.

While minor muscle soreness may resolve on its own, persistent pain deserves attention.

You should consider seeing a physical therapist if:

• Hip pain lasts longer than a few weeks
• Walking becomes uncomfortable
• Pain wakes you up at night
• Stiffness limits daily activities
• You notice weakness or instability
• Pain keeps returning after activity
• You’re avoiding activities because of discomfort

Seeking treatment early often leads to faster recovery and better long-term outcomes.

How Physical Therapy Helps Hip Arthritis

Although arthritis cannot be reversed, physical therapy can significantly reduce symptoms and improve your quality of life.

Treatment focuses on improving the way the joint functions while reducing unnecessary stress on surrounding tissues.

A personalized rehabilitation program may include:

Strengthening Exercises

Building strength in the hips, glutes, thighs, and core helps support the joint and reduce mechanical stress during movement.

Mobility Training

Gentle mobility exercises improve joint motion and reduce stiffness, making everyday activities easier.

Manual Therapy

Hands-on treatment techniques can improve joint mobility, decrease muscle tightness, and reduce discomfort.

Balance and Functional Training

Improving balance helps reduce fall risk while making walking and stair climbing feel more comfortable.

Education

Patients learn practical strategies for protecting their joints, modifying activities, and staying active safely.

How Physical Therapy Helps Hip Muscle Strains

The goals of treatment for muscle strains are slightly different.

Therapy typically focuses on:

• Reducing inflammation
• Restoring flexibility
• Gradually rebuilding muscle strength
• Improving movement mechanics
• Preventing future injuries
• Returning safely to sports or work

Rather than simply allowing the muscle to heal on its own, rehabilitation helps restore full function while reducing the likelihood of reinjury.

Why Individualized Treatment Makes All the Difference

No two patients experience hip pain in exactly the same way.

A recreational runner, an office worker, a retiree, and a construction worker may all have hip pain—but their treatment plans should look very different.

At ProKinetics Physical Therapy, every rehabilitation program begins with a comprehensive evaluation that looks at:

• Your movement patterns
• Strength
• Flexibility
• Posture
• Daily activities
• Medical history
• Personal goals

This individualized approach allows us to treat the underlying cause of pain rather than simply masking symptoms.

Don’t Ignore Hip Pain

Hip pain is never something you should simply “learn to live with.”

Whether your discomfort is caused by arthritis, a muscle strain, or another musculoskeletal condition, early treatment often leads to faster recovery, better mobility, and improved long-term outcomes.

Ignoring symptoms may allow small problems to become larger ones, potentially leading to chronic pain, decreased activity levels, and reduced quality of life.

Personalized Hip Pain Treatment at ProKinetics Physical Therapy

At ProKinetics Physical Therapy, we believe that every patient deserves a treatment plan tailored to their unique needs. Our experienced team works closely with patients throughout Brooklyn (Bensonhurst) and Manhattan (Chelsea) to diagnose the source of hip pain, restore healthy movement, and help them return to the activities they love.

Whether you’re dealing with arthritis, a recent muscle strain, or ongoing hip discomfort, we’re committed to providing evidence-based, personalized care that supports lasting recovery.

With the right diagnosis, targeted rehabilitation, and expert guidance, you can move with greater comfort, confidence, and strength—and get back to living life without letting hip pain hold you back.

Author: Dr. Hossamalden Albassiouny, DPT OCS