r/HipImpingement

37M. I've had pain in my left hip (groin/front of hip) for over a year:

• I stand and walk around all day at work and it gets significantly worse throughout the day.
• No pain or stifness in the morning
• No pain while sitting but after prolonged I do get a stabbing pain when standing up and walking around.
• I feel and hear a click when I walk (every step I take) and when I stand and lift my knee. It's more of a grinding click, unlike the clicks my other joints make now and then.

I saw a hip specialist back in March but he only ordered an X-ray which showed minimal signs of osteoarthritis on both sides and slight hip impingement on the right side (no pain in my right hip). He just told me to come back for an injection when it gets worse. I only recently read about labral tears and it seems to match my symptoms exactly. However I do not remember a specific injury that could have caused it or a specific moment the pain started. It developed and got worse gradually.

I want to trust my PT but I'm also afraid to further damage my hips. Labral tears on both sides and mild dysplasia. On week 3 of 6 of my new PT. I was in pelvic floor PT for a year before my MRI showed the tears and I got sent to an ortho pt. The hip exercises we're doing are causing mild flares consistently and I'm rotating ibuprofen and Tylenol most days now. I'm not a candidate for scope surgery and have to wait for a THR in 20 years when I'm 50. I'm at a loss. PT seems to be my only option, but how can I know if I'm making things worse or better? This injury has taken so much from me and I feel so hopeless. Any advice is appreciated

Hi everyone,

I recently underwent an attempted hip arthroscopy and labrum repair, but it had to be abandoned due to joint spacing visibility issues due to the joint not being able to be dislocated enough through traction. My surgeon doesn't have the report ready and said that the next step would be conservative pain management with medication and physio. It's been extremely depressing considering I was diagnosed in May 2025 and have tried physio, for approx 3 months in the past, with it just making the joint more aggravated. I'm in the UK and I'm trying to get a referral for a specialist clinic to hopefully complete the surgery, but it's feeling very bleak at the moment. I've recently started some physio focusing on improving hip mobility and even with the Naproxen I was prescribed it's still extremely painful. I don't really know what I'm looking for from this post, but just wanted to share with people who understand. Thanks for reading.

I will be having surgery on my right hip in about a month. For my first hip scope on my left I was prescribed norco and while I really hated the way this made me feel, it did work well for my pain control. I will be prescribed Journavx instead for this upcoming scope due to my surgeon’s changed protocol and I don’t see many people’s experiences with this medication postoperatively on this sub.

For those that have had experiences with both medications: do you feel Journavx worked for you compared to norco? I have a low pain tolerance and I’m worried about being in a lot of pain postoperatively.

I am on my second day post op for labral reconstruction/augmentation, and impingement bone shaving of cam/pincer/iliac spine (that last one was a surprise, we never discussed iliac but I imagine surgeon was concerned it would cause a re-tear).

Surgery and the day after were painful but mostly ok. But last evening and this morning, I can’t even take a step without it being an ordeal. It is so painful to move my op leg, I had been sliding it on the floor (with crutches), and now I can’t even manage that, I’m using my toes to inch my foot forward. I suspect it’s a combo of me shifting around a lot in bed to get comfortable and the hospital drugs wearing off.

I was expecting to move slowly and painfully, but this is kind of next level. Did anyone else have this experience? Tell me it gets better soon!

Hello! I think my hip has partially dislocated (subluxation) 3 times when my foot got stuck in mud/shoe got stuck/or very uneven ground caught my foot and I tried to step up without realizing when in nature doing photography (aka wasn't looking where I was going). Felt like a sudden distancing of my femur and hip socket that was extremely jarring. Hurt for the day(s) after. But not so painful I couldn't walk after it felt like it slipped back in. That issue and the lots of muscular pain around the hip are two things pushing me towards the surgery.

25F, labral repair two years ago never fully recovered. Was a very active person. Been doubting getting surgery (probably due to it being scary) and I only have borderline dysplasia of 21° but I'm hypermobile).

Was wondering what subluxation feels like to make sure that's what I experienced. Any peoples experiences would be super helpful thanks!

I feel like I’m going insane. The back and forth pain fake out is making me crazy!!! Was doing PT twice a week for about four months and doing home exercises a few days a week. The whole time was in a constant flare. Had a few weeks off due to scheduling then dropped to once a week. And now off again for two weeks due to PT’s vacation.

My pain and inflammation has drastically reduced. Feels like the less I do the less pain I have. And it’s making me second guess surgery! Has anyone else been on this roller coaster??

I’m a 33/m that’s been dealing with (I think) gluteal tendinopathy since January of this year. I’ve had two cortisone shots (one for SI joint and one for side of hip burisitis). Two pelvic MRIs that came out “clean” no tendinitis. One lower back MRI also clean. Did an ultrasound, came out clean. Did two X-rays, both came back normal. It all started when I was running on the treadmill and my left foot hit the ground and a shock was felt in my glute. It continued after that and was mainly near my sit bone when I walked. I started PT and have done that for the past 6 months. But no one can tell me what my actual problem is.. I have gotten significant relief when I do dry needling and that relief lasts about 3-4 weeks and then it flares again. This leads me to believe that the tendon gets aggravated over those 3-4 weeks and then flares up again and I have to do dry needling again. Does anyone have any experience similar to this? I’m desperate for some answers, as doctors have been unable to give me any sort of definitive answer.

Hey I’m 4-5 weeks out after hip arthroscopy surgery on my right leg and idk feel like the surgery kinda failed. I’m still getting the same dull ache and pain in my right hip as I was before just not as severe. Standing and walking is no issue. The moment I sit or lay on my back especially laying down is when my hip hurts the most. Is this just normal recovery and it’s very slow or is this something I should be concerned about and bring up with surgeon?

I’m so sad and I don’t know what to do now. I’m not sure what the next step is. Has anyone dealt with this situation before? The surgeon has multiple procedures he wants to do on my hip:

Repair of hip joint socket cartilage using an endoscope- Approved

Reshaping of hip socket using an endoscope- Denied

Reshaping of thigh bone at hip joint using an endoscope- Denied

Removal of hip joint lining using an endoscope- Denied

This is what the letter from insurance stated. The 2nd procedure was denied because “these surgeries may not be requested together.” I can understand why the 3rd one was denied cause it states imaging wasn’t sent by my doctor. The last one is denied because “this surgery can be approved when this lining is inflamed from certain diseases. The note sent to us by your doctor do not tell us that you have one of these diseases.” But I’m confused cause why would my surgeon want to do that specific procedure?

Ugh, so annoyed. I guess I call my hospital to see what I do next?

I have been dealing with a torn hip labrum for 5 months now. I’ve pretty much had to stop all physical activity except for riding a stationary bike. I’m a very active person so this has been difficult. MRI said I have a torn labrum and FAI and mild dysplasia. I started out with an initial PT person and went for about three months with not much relief, or consistent relief that is. As a last Hail Mary before scheduling surgery I got in with a hip specialist PT. The first session was a disaster and made things worse. She changed up her program the second session and I was able to tolerate the exercises. The third time, she suggested dry needling. Now I did this with my first PT a number of times with no relief. However, this new PT did dry needling on my glutes and lower back. Absolute game changer. The entire week after I had no pain. It started creeping back right before my next PT session, so she did it again the third time I saw her. After that I went another week with no pain. I stared down more in the gym and everything continued feeling good. 4th visit with her we started adding to my exercises and loading the hip more, so far so good. After 5 months of nothing helping, we finally solved it. Dry needling on my back side versus my groin in the front helped initiate my glutes to activate. Once my glutes were activating like they should, my body wasn’t putting as much strain on my front side. The dry needling also allowed me to be pain free so I was better able to do my PT exercises and continue working on my glutes. I was literally about to schedule surgery thinking nothing was going to help relieve the pain and get me back to living normally and based on how the last three weeks have gone, I think I’m going to be able to get past this without surgery. Just passing along in case this helps anyone else.

Hi all. I am 4.5 months post op on my left hip and 6 weeks on my right hip. I had a femoroplasty and acetabuloplasty with labral repair on both.

I returned to office this week, and am noticing a lot of pain and inflammation about 3-4 hours into my work day.

Outside of ice, gels, and ibuprofen, what are some ways you all found relief when returning to work?

I was doing pretty good last week, felt strong and no pain so i decided to float/walk/lightly swim (more like doggy paddle) in a lake last Wednesday (with my PT approval). I was in the water for maybe 2x 15mn. Nothing extreme.
I was really tired as a result (which I expected) but then my hip flexors started cramping when I was driving back home. I took a hydroxyzine (I was out of my post op ones but I also take it as a PRM) and it calmed down enough that i could go to sleep. Now I haven’t had any more of the spasms but I’ve been sleeping like crap ever since. Sleeping a lot (9-10hrs per night) but really poorly (waking up 20+ times per night).

I had the surgeon’s office refill my post op hydroxyzine because it works great as a relaxant and helps painkiller do their job better. I’ve seen no improvement in sleep.
I saw the surgeon’s PA yesterday and took Xrays, bones didn’t grow back and no evidence of tissue damage. He did some passive mobilization and based on how I described it felt, he didn’t think I hurt myself but that my hip flexors are weak and tired and inflamed from overdoing it last week. So he prescribed me a stronger NSAID to see if it helps (Ibuprofen doesn’t do squat).

I have a pretty good bedtime routine, no screens, meditation, sleepy tea, stretching, and I fall asleep really easily. My sleep set up is alone in a queen bed, and I have a variety of pillows for body support (behind my back, between my legs etc), a white noise machine, a fan. I have pets but they haven’t behaved any differently this past week that it would impact my sleep so much.

Any advice when it comes to sleeping better through a flare up? It’s starting to make me cranky and I feel like my body and brain aren’t properly resting.

Edit to add: PT said I over exerted and to take rest days between days I do PT but now I do squatted side walks with a band, so I’m def stronger and able to handle walking in water. I do not have pain on a daily basis (unless I stay in the same position for too long).

Hi everyone,

I am not sure where to start. About 2 months ago I was doing yard work and when I woke up the next morning my right hip was on fire. I have always had popping and snapping in my hips, but never pain. I danced ballet for 18 years and also did cheer/tumbling. I went to urgent care and they didn’t see anything on xray but referred me to ortho. I started PT and saw ortho who saw impingement on xray and ordered hip MRI with contrast and he believes have a torn labrum. I have my MRI tomorrow.

I started getting tingling in my right foot/calf which they said had to be my back so I got a lumbar spine MRI which showed bilateral pars defect, spondylothesis, severe arthrosis and moderate nerve narrowing. PT started working on my nerve symptoms.

Here’s where I need some help.. the past week or so I have had an immense amount of pain deep in my right glute. Nothing seems to help it and it causes me to almost seize up from my glute down through my leg. I don’t know what else to do to try and alleviate this immense pain. I can handle my hip pain and my back pain, but this glute pain is debilitating. After 6 weeks of PT, my PT has stopped working on my hip and said conservative measures won’t help me.

I have tried Meloxicam (didn’t work) Diclofenac (also didn’t work) Naproxen (helped slightly) Tylenol, icy hot, lidocaine patches, heating pad. Is there anything else I could/should be trying? I’m only 37 and I feel like this hip issue is turning into a giant snowball of other issues.

I finally was going for my cortisone and freezing shot into my right hip capsule for a labrum tear. Because the doctor was unhappy with the ultrasound after three attempts a larger needle was used to more easily be seen on the ultrasound, it felt like the most severe dry needling that could exist. After 1 more attempt after that the doctor gave up and is rebooking me at a different clinic. Has anyone ever expierenced this ? My leg hurts a lot 6 hours later almost like 5 3" holes thru various tissue :(

Edit: Today the next day I got my injection successfully done with fluroscopy instead of ultrasound. Currently with the freezing i can ass to grass squat, come right back up, no groan or pause. I could cry a bit im so happy haha. I am 32 and my hip has been hurting big time since early 20s.

26 F getting L hip arthroscopy in 7 weeks. I am very active, this injury occurred due to training/running half marathons. I also have a long background of weight lifting, swimming, etc. so my muscle strength isn’t an issue.

I work as an ICU Physician Assistant so most of my job is a mix of walking/sitting and charting. Is 1-2 weeks reasonable to return to work with limitations? My job is very willing to work with me on this and I am very lucky. Just do not know what to expect.

Help me not need help getting in and out of bed and onto a pillow asap! Lol my spouse is going to be exhausted lifting my leg so many times when I need a bathroom trip, and they are only teleworking this week anyway. So I need to figure this out. I’m keeping my op leg propped on the entire length of a king pillow, so even if I get my body on the bed, there is still another obstacle.

I have a leg lifter tool (hurts to pull in toward my body to do the lift) and have tried hooking with my good foot (hard on the back), but both hurt if I lift more than to just shimmy. What do you all do? My bed is close to chair height, though a bit taller, so I can sit on the edge with my feet on the floor.

I am constantly causing little twinges and pains doing this, which does not sound like a good idea. I have a really hard time not using my op leg, at least a little. I hate asking spouse for things every 5 minutes. He can help me, but he is also working (2 flight down).

47 F, started pain management visits in June after 3+ months of increase hip and lower back pain, L5S1 fusion 17 years ago. Started with medication, X-rays and PT with no change, did SI joint injections with no change to pain in left. Hip, MRI showed labrum tear.

Followed up 7/31 with hip doctor who specializes in labrum’s and he stated Thani would be a strong candidate for a left hip arthroscopic labral repair, Arthroscopic cam impingement femoroplasty, and Arthroscopic pincer impingement acetabuloplasty. He stated recovery would be 4-6 months before return to normal activity and 6-12 months to full recovery. I live alone and my daughter is graduating college this spring and we have a big vacation planned so trying to an avoid surgery.

Got a hip injection with guided ultrasound today. Doc said she saw a lot of inflammation on the ultrasound so hopeful that I will see a decrease in pain.

2-3 hours after injection pain was down to a 1 or 2 but now almost 12 hours it is back up to my normal 6-7. Is this normal? Does this mean the injection failed?

Has anyone had surgery and a shorter recovery time? Anyone able to completely avoid surgery with injections, OTC meds and PT?