When Hip Pain While Walking or Using Stairs Shouldn’t Be Ignored

While hip pain is a common phenomenon among the elderly, it happens even with youngsters nowadays. Doctors say recurrent pain in your hip while climbing stairs is not just discomforting or annoying but

can also be your body’s way of asking for attention. Some causes are minor and temporary, but others may signal an underlying condition that needs immediate medical attention. “The pain in the hip region during walking or going up and down stairs is commonly caused by conditions like bursitis, tendonitis, muscle strain, cartilage damage, or even ageing,” said Dr Ramneek Mahajan, Chairman, Orthopedics, Joint Replacement, and Chief Robotic Joint Replacement, Max Healthcare. “However, it can also be a first sign of hip arthritis, especially when patients experience stiffness in the morning or pain following prolonged activity, which then gradually develops symptoms in basic actions such as sitting, standing, and climbing stairs,” he added.

Red flags of hip pain you must not ignore

While many cases settle with rest and conservative care, seek medical advice promptly if you notice:

• Pain that persists beyond 1–2 weeks despite taking adequate rest
• Severe pain or sudden onset after a fall or injury
• Difficulty bearing weight or limping that gets worse
• Hip pain with fever, redness, or warmth indicates a possible infection
• Night pain or pain at rest that does not ease
• Numbness, weakness, or loss of bladder or bowel control

Also read: Knees Bending Too Easily? Unexpected Flexibility May Be an Early Sign of Arthritis

What is hip arthritis?

Hip arthritis happens when there is pain and stiffness in your hip joint, related to the soft tissues in the joint. According to the Cleveland Clinic, it usually affects the cartilage that cushions your joint and sometimes the synovial membrane that lubricates it. Arthritis leads to severe inflammation, pain, and swelling in these tissues, or it wears them down. “When hip arthritis reaches a definitive level and begins to cause problems in daily life, it is recommended to seek medical consultation. With the advanced & modern methods like robotic arm-assisted hip replacement surgery, the treatment allows patients to finally get relief from this painful condition with better outcomes, lesser pain, and faster recovery,” said Dr Mahajan.

What can you do early?

To take care of your hip joint before it worsens, you can:

Modify activity

void movements that worsen pain and rather switch to low-impact options like swimming or cycling.

Ice or heat

Make sure to put ice for acute inflammation and heat for stiffness on the affected area.

Strength and mobility

Gentle hip and core exercises help stabilize the affected joint.

Footwear and posture

Supportive shoes and good posture help reduce joint stress.

Do not self-medicate

Painkillers only mask symptoms without fixing the real cause. According to Dr Mahajan, it is best to go to a doctor for supervised procedures needed to get over the issues. In later stages, doctors would advise surgery. “In this procedure, the affected or arthritic hip joint with abnormal bone growth is precisely replaced with a healthy artificial implant using robotic assistance, ensuring improved accuracy, smoother joint function, and better long-term outcomes,” he said.