Lifestyle

5 Symptoms of Hip Arthritis, Including Pain That Shows Up in the Knee

By Mike Harper · October 21, 2026

Hip arthritis doesn’t always announce itself in the hip. Cleveland Clinic says many people feel it in the groin, thigh, buttocks, or knee, a pattern called referred pain that can seem to move from one spot to another. That is one reason it is easy to blame on a bad knee, a pulled muscle, or simply getting older.

It is also very common. Most hip arthritis is osteoarthritis, the wear-and-tear kind. Cleveland Clinic says osteoarthritis affects the majority of people older than 55, that the hip is the second most commonly affected joint, and that osteoarthritis of the hip may affect up to 25% of people older than 55. The average age it develops is 65.

In osteoarthritis, the cartilage that cushions the ends of the bones gradually breaks down. The National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases says joint damage usually develops over years, and that symptoms often begin slowly. Here are five to watch for.

Pain that travels. Along with pain in the hip itself, watch for an ache in the groin, the thigh, the buttocks, or the knee. Cleveland Clinic says hip arthritis pain often shows up in these areas.

Stiffness after rest. NIAMS says people with osteoarthritis usually have stiffness for a short time after rest or inactivity, typically lasting less than 30 minutes. Getting out of a chair or the car after a long drive may be the first time you notice it.

Pain when you use the joint. NIAMS says osteoarthritis pain comes with using the joint and may improve with rest. In later stages, it may be worse at night.

Less range of motion. Cleveland Clinic lists limited motion and difficulty bending at the waist. Putting on socks or shoes, or swinging a leg into the car, can get harder.

Grinding, locking, or clicking. Cleveland Clinic lists a grinding or locking sensation when you move the hip, and a crackling or clicking sound called crepitus. A limp can also develop.

Some things raise the risk, according to Cleveland Clinic: getting older, carrying extra weight, a past hip injury or surgery, a hip joint that is shaped or aligned abnormally, work or sports that stress the hip over and over, and a family history of osteoarthritis. NIAMS says women are more likely than men to have osteoarthritis, especially after age 50.

Osteoarthritis often affects one hip at a time, Cleveland Clinic says. Inflammatory types, such as rheumatoid arthritis, more often affect both hips and other joints and tend to cause other symptoms too. That is one reason to get pain checked rather than guess at the cause.

A diagnosis usually starts with a conversation and an exam. Cleveland Clinic says a provider will test your range of motion, ask about your pain, and watch how you walk, then take X-rays. Blood tests may be added if inflammatory arthritis is suspected.

Treatment usually begins with the basics. Cleveland Clinic lists losing weight if needed, using a cane, heat or cold, physical therapy, and over-the-counter pain relievers. NIAMS notes that joint pain can make people less active, which weakens muscles and puts more stress on the joint, so gentle exercise matters. If those steps stop working, a doctor may discuss injections or, eventually, surgery.

This article is for general information and is not medical advice. Talk with your doctor about hip, groin, or knee pain, and before starting a new pain reliever or exercise program. This article was produced with the assistance of AI and fact-checked against the sources cited by LightWave Reports.