Hip Pain When Running: What Could Be Causing It?

Hamst“Hip pain” can mean very different things depending on where you actually feel it.

A runner pointing to the outside of their hip may have a completely different problem from someone describing deep groin pain.

Pain at the front of the hip

Potential contributors include hip joint irritation, hip flexor-related problems and other structures around the anterior hip.

Deep groin pain, catching or restriction may warrant closer assessment of the hip joint itself.

Pain on the outside of the hip

Lateral hip pain may involve the gluteal tendons or surrounding structures.

Running volume, hills and lower-limb loading can all influence symptoms.

Pain at the back of the hip

Posterior hip or buttock pain can originate from several sources.

Sometimes the lumbar spine or neural structures can refer symptoms into this region, meaning the painful area isn't necessarily the source.

Should you keep running?

That depends on the diagnosis and symptom response.

Some hip problems tolerate modified running very well. Others - particularly when a bone stress injury is suspected - require more caution.

Why assessment matters

Rather than simply diagnosing “tight hips”, a good assessment should determine:

1. where the symptoms are coming from
2. what loads aggravate them
3. whether strength or mobility is relevant
4. whether running load has changed
5. whether imaging or medical review is indicated.

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