Hip pain can happen for different reasons, and it can come on slowly or suddenly. Hip pain may feel like an ache, soreness, or sharp pain and is often worse during walking. Follow these instructions to care for your child.
- Follow your health care provider's recommendations for:
- how long your child should take a break from sports and activities that might put stress on the hip, such as running, dancing, and jumping
- trying low-impact exercises that are less likely to cause pain, such as swimming or biking
- any stretching or strengthening exercises
- seeing a physical therapist
For pain, your child can:
- Take ibuprofen (such as Advil®, Motrin®, or a store brand), if recommended by your health care provider. Follow the directions on the label for how much they should take and how often.
- Place a cold pack wrapped in a towel on the area for 15–20 minutes a few times a day for the first few days after an injury. Put a towel or cloth between the cold pack and the skin.
- Place a heat pack wrapped in a towel on the area for no longer than 20 minutes (being careful not to burn the skin) or have your child take a warm bath or shower. Heat packs can also help with stiffness.
What can cause hip pain? Hips take a lot of stress every day when we stand, walk, go up and down stairs, and run. Many things can cause hip pain, such as:
- overuse
- muscle strain
- sports
- injury
- stress
- other medical conditions, like an infection or inflammation
Hip pain can also come from problems in the lower abdomen, groin, or upper leg.
What can help prevent hip pain? It may help for your child to:
- Work with a sports trainer to make sure they don't overtrain and that they warm up and cool down correctly.
- Wear supportive athletic shoes.
- Get plenty of physical activity to keep muscles strong.
- Stay at a healthy weight.
- Talk to a counselor if stress might be a cause of the hip pain.
