Written By: Chloe Wilson, BSc(Hons) Physiotherapy
Reviewed by: KPE Medical Review Board
Hip tendonitis is a common problem causing pain and irritation around the hip and upper thigh.
It is typically an overuse injury causing pain during hip and leg movements or after activity.
There are four main types of tendonitis of the hip, depending on which tendon is affected, each causing pain in slightly different places.
Tendonitis in the hip is a common condition that can affect people of all ages and activity levels, but when caught early, it is highly treatable.
In this guide, we will look at what hip tendonitis is, what causes it, symptoms and diagnosis, and the best ways to treat it, including simple exercises and prevention tips to help you stay active and pain-free.
Hip tendonitis, also referred to as hip tendinopathy or tendonitis in the hip, is an overuse injury that causes inflammation or irritation of the tendons around the hip joint.
Tendons are the tough connective tissues that attach muscle to bone, and when they are overloaded or injured, they can become painful and swollen.
Repetitive overloading or stress through the tendon leads to microscopic tearing and disorientation of the tendon fibres. This leads to weakening and inflammation in the tendon. Tendons are notoriously slow to heal as they typically have a limited blood supply.
While “hip tendonitis” refers to inflammation (usually an acute phase), “hip tendinopathy” is often used to describe more chronic tendon changes, including degeneration and thickening.
There are several different tendons around the hip that can develop tendonitis. The most common types of hip tendonitis are:
Hip flexor tendonitis affects the tendons at the front of the hip, most commonly iliopsoas tendonitis. It is common in athletes, dancers, and anyone who does repetitive hip flexion e.g. running or kicking
Gluteal tendonitis typically causes outer hip pain especially when lying on your side, walking or climbing stairs. It may develop in any of the three gluteal tendons, the most common being gluteus medius tendonitis. It is especially common in runners and women over 40 and is sometimes mistaken for ischial bursitis.
Proximal hamstring tendonitis typically presents as pain in the lower buttock or back of the hip, and is often aggravated by prolonged sitting or sprinting. You can also get distal hamstring tendonitis at the back of the knee.
Adductor tendonitis affects the tendons in the groin area. It causes inner thigh pain and groin pain, and is common in footballers and those doing side-to-side movements. NB Not the same as a groin strain where there is overstretching of one of the adductor muscles
The iliotibial band is a thick band of fascia rather than a tendon. When irritated, iliotibial band syndrome can cause outer hip pain and friction over the greater trochanter or pain down to the knee.
Each type of tendonitis in the hip has slightly different symptoms depending on the location, but they all result from similar mechanisms.
Tendonitis of the hip is usually the result of repetitive stress or overloading of one of the hips tendons without sufficient rest time to recover. Common causes of hip tendinopathy include:
The symptoms of hip tendinopathy vary slightly depending on which tendon is affected, but the general signs to watch out for include:
Hip tendonitis pain may start as a dull ache and gradually worsen to more of a stabbing or burning pain if the underlying issue is not addressed
Diagnosing tendonitis in the hip starts with a thorough history and physical exam. A physiotherapist or doctor will look for patterns of pain and movement that suggest tendon involvement.
What to expect in a clinical assessment:
Your doctor may send you for imaging studies to confirm the diagnosis or rule out other conditions, such as:
There are a number of other conditions that can present with similar symptoms to hip tendonitis:
#CommissionsEarned from Amazon on qualifying purchases
Treating hip tendonitis is all about reducing pain, promoting healing, and correcting the underlying issues that caused the problem in the first place. The goal is to get you moving comfortably again, and to prevent the pain from coming back.
The best place to start when treating hip tendonitis is to rest from aggravating activities. While it might sound tempting to completely stop all activity, total rest can actually slow healing and cause muscle weakness. Instead, aim to:
Managing inflammation and pain early on helps speed up recovery with hip tendonitis:
Physical therapy is the cornerstone of hip tendonitis treatment. A tailored program can help restore strength, flexibility, and movement patterns:
For stubborn or long-standing tendon issues, adjunct therapies can be beneficial:
In some cases where conservative hip tendonitis treatments are not enough, injections may be considered:
Injections are usually a last resort and should be discussed carefully with a specialist as they temporarily weaken the tendon, risking further damage. Injections should always be used alongside other hip tendonitis treatments rather than in isolation.
Hip tendonitis surgery is rare and is generally reserved for cases where tendon damage is severe or symptoms fail to improve after 6-12 months of conservative care. Procedures may include:
Surgical recovery involves a structured rehab program and can take several months.
Here are some of our top tips to help you make the best recovery from hip tendonitis:
If you tackle hip tendonitis early with the right treatment and rehab plan, you can expect a good recovery and a return to your normal activities, usually within a few weeks to months depending on severity. If symptoms persist, seeing a physiotherapist or healthcare professional for a personalized assessment is always a good idea.
Hip tendonitis is a common condition caused by overuse, poor biomechanics, or muscle imbalances. It leads to pain, stiffness, and weakness around the hip, often aggravated by activity.
There are different types of hip tendinopathy, depending on which muscle is affected:
The good news is that tendonitis of the hip is highly treatable with the right combination of rest, rehab, and movement correction. Early diagnosis and a structured approach can get you back to your normal activities, without any ongoing nagging pain.
If you are experiencing hip tendonitis symptoms, don’t ignore them. The sooner you address the cause, the easier your recovery will be.
You may also be interested in the following articles:
Last Updated: June 17th, 2025
Next Review Due: June 17th, 2027