Right hip pain when standing is a common complaint that can impact daily routines. This symptom can arise from various underlying issues within the musculoskeletal system. The discomfort often relates to the hip’s role in bearing weight and facilitating movement during upright activities.
Muscle and Soft Tissue Issues
The soft tissues surrounding the hip, including muscles, tendons, and bursae, frequently contribute to pain when standing. Trochanteric bursitis, an inflammation of the bursa on the outside of the hip, is a common cause. This leads to pain and tenderness on the outer hip and upper thigh, often worsening with standing, walking, or lying on the affected side. Prolonged standing or repetitive movements can irritate this bursa, intensifying discomfort with weight-bearing.
Hip flexor tendinopathy, an irritation or inflammation of the tendons connecting hip flexor muscles to the thigh bone, typically causes pain in the front of the hip or groin. Tight hip flexors can reduce hip range of motion and strain the lower back, causing pain during activities like standing or walking.
Gluteal tendinopathy, affecting muscles like the gluteus medius and minimus, frequently causes pain on the side or back of the hip. These muscles stabilize the pelvis during walking and standing. Pain is typically felt on the outside of the hip and can worsen with weight-bearing activities like prolonged standing, walking, or climbing stairs.
Piriformis syndrome involves the piriformis muscle, deep in the buttock, which can spasm and irritate the sciatic nerve. This causes pain deep in the buttock and hip, which might radiate down the leg. Standing, sitting, or certain movements can aggravate this syndrome by increasing pressure on the muscle and nerve.
Joint and Bone Conditions
Pain in the right hip when standing can also stem from conditions affecting the hip joint or surrounding bones. Osteoarthritis of the hip, a degenerative joint disease, involves the gradual wearing away of cartilage. This leads to bones rubbing, causing pain, stiffness, and reduced range of motion, often more pronounced with weight-bearing activities like standing or walking. Pain and stiffness can be noticeable after periods of inactivity.
Femoroacetabular impingement (FAI) occurs when extra bone grows along the hip joint, leading to an irregular shape. This causes painful rubbing between the ball and socket during hip movement. FAI can result in pain in the groin or hip, especially after prolonged sitting, standing, or physical activity, and may cause sharp or pinching sensations.
A labral tear involves damage to the labrum, the ring of cartilage that surrounds the hip socket, acting as a seal to keep the thigh bone securely in place. Tears can cause clicking, locking, or catching sensations within the hip joint, alongside pain in the hip or groin. This pain often worsens with prolonged standing, walking, or athletic activity, as these actions place stress on the damaged labrum.
Stress fractures are tiny cracks in a bone, frequently caused by repetitive stress or overuse. In the hip, these fractures commonly affect the femoral neck, the part of the thigh bone near the hip joint that bears significant weight. Individuals with a hip stress fracture typically experience deep, aching pain in the hip or groin that intensifies with weight-bearing activities like standing, walking, or running, and may feel tenderness.
Nerve and Referred Pain
Right hip pain when standing can also originate from issues involving nerves or structures in other parts of the body, particularly the lower back. Sciatica is pain caused by compression or irritation of the sciatic nerve, which extends from the lower back through the hip and buttock, and down the leg. While the problem begins in the lower back, the pain can manifest significantly in the hip area, often worsening with prolonged standing or walking.
Issues in the lumbar spine, such as a herniated disc or spinal stenosis, can lead to referred pain in the hip. A herniated disc occurs when the soft cushioning between vertebrae pushes out, irritating nearby nerve roots. Spinal stenosis involves a narrowing of the spaces within the spine, which can also put pressure on nerves. This nerve compression in the lower back can cause pain that travels along nerve pathways, making the hip feel painful even if there is no direct problem with the hip joint or its surrounding tissues.
When to Consult a Doctor
While many instances of hip pain can resolve with rest and self-care, certain signs indicate the need for professional medical evaluation. Consult a doctor if hip pain significantly limits daily activities, disrupts sleep, or does not improve after a few weeks of at-home care. Immediate medical attention is necessary if the pain is severe and sudden, especially after an injury or fall. Other concerning symptoms include inability to bear weight on the leg, noticeable deformity of the hip, or pain accompanied by numbness, tingling, or weakness in the leg. Fever, chills, or unexplained weight loss alongside hip pain also warrant prompt medical assessment.