County Physio | Haddington & East Lothian
If you feel hip pain when walking, you’re not alone. Many people experience discomfort in the hip joint, groin, or outer thigh during walking — and it often worsens over time if not treated properly.
Whether your pain is sharp, aching, stiff, or comes and goes, walking-related hip pain is usually a sign of an underlying issue that needs attention.
At County Physio in Haddington, we help patients across East Lothian identify the source of their hip pain, treat it effectively and restore comfortable movement.
Here’s what you need to know.
Common Causes of Hip Pain When Walking
Walking requires healthy joints, muscles, tendons and nerves. When one of these structures becomes irritated, hip pain can develop — sometimes gradually, sometimes suddenly.
Below are the most common reasons for hip pain during walking.
1. Hip Osteoarthritis
Hip arthritis causes stiffness, groin pain and difficulty weight-bearing.
Walking often becomes uncomfortable, especially:
- first thing in the morning
- after prolonged sitting
- on uneven surfaces
As the joint becomes inflamed, every step can feel tight or painful.
Physiotherapy can help by:
- improving joint mobility
- strengthening hip and glute muscles
- reducing inflammation
- improving walking mechanics
2. Glute Weakness or Muscle Imbalance
Weak glute muscles can cause the hip to “drop” or twist when walking, creating strain on the joint and tendons.
You may notice:
- pain on the outside of the hip
- difficulty with stairs
- instability or wobbling during walking
Targeted strengthening restores stability and reduces pain.
3. Hip Bursitis
Bursitis is inflammation of the fluid-filled sacs that cushion the hip.
Walking, particularly uphill or on cambered pavements, can increase irritation and cause:
- pain on the outer hip
- tenderness when lying on your side
- sharp pain during long walks
Physiotherapy reduces inflammation and restores normal movement patterns.
4. Hip Flexor Tightness
Prolonged sitting, driving, or desk work can shorten the hip flexors.
This creates:
- pulling sensations in the front of the hip
- difficulty taking longer strides
- pain after walking long distances
Flexibility work combined with strengthening is often the solution.
5. Labral Tears or Hip Impingement
These structural issues often cause:
- sharp groin pain
- catching or clicking
- discomfort when turning
- limited hip rotation
Walking becomes painful due to joint irritation. Many cases respond well to physiotherapy; some may need further medical assessment.
6. Referred Pain from the Lower Back
Lower back or sacroiliac (SIJ) problems can mimic hip pain — especially during walking.
Signs include:
- pain that radiates into the hip or thigh
- pain that changes with bending or sitting
- lower back stiffness alongside hip symptoms
A physiotherapist can identify whether the hip or spine is the true cause.
How Physiotherapy Helps Hip Pain When Walking
At County Physio, we tailor hip pain treatment based on your exact symptoms and walking pattern.
Treatment often includes:
- Hands-on manual therapy
- Soft tissue release
- Hip mobility work
- Targeted strengthening
- Gait analysis and correction
- Dry needling (if appropriate)
- Taping or laser therapy
- Long-term prevention strategies
Most patients notice improvement quickly once the underlying issue is identified.
When Should You See a Physiotherapist?
You should book an assessment if you experience:
- Hip pain that lasts longer than 1–2 weeks
- Pain that gets worse the more you walk
- Pain that interferes with sleep
- Sharp or catching pain in the groin
- A limp or loss of mobility
- Pain after an injury
- Hip stiffness that isn’t improving
Early treatment prevents the problem from becoming long-term.
Hip Pain Treatment in Haddington (Serving East Lothian)
County Physio provides expert, one-to-one physiotherapy for all types of hip pain.
Our goal is to get you walking comfortably and confidently again.
We combine hands-on treatment, modern techniques and personalised exercises to achieve fast and lasting results.
Book Your Hip Pain Assessment Today
Don’t wait for your hip pain to get worse — take action now.
