Common Possible Causes of Hip Pain at Night

Chronic hip discomfort at night affects one in five adults over 65, especially women aged 40–60. It can cause sleep disturbances or difficulty falling asleep. Lateral hip discomfort affects the outer hip. Hip pain at night can be caused by overuse during the day from exercise, sleeping posture, moving in bed, and nighttime joint swelling.

What is The Prevalence of Hip Pain at Night?

Hip discomfort may seem more common during the day. After all, your hips move most of the time. Having hip pain at night depends on what’s causing it in the first place. Osteoarthritis is a leading cause of hip discomfort and stiffness, which can last all day. Other reasons for hip pain include muscle strains, hip bursitis, and inflammation of the small joint fluid sacs.

Hip discomfort is more likely during the day when you’re moving or bearing weight on them. Outside hip pain is usually caused by muscles, tendons, and ligaments. They occur almost as often at night as during the day, like arthritis. A correct hip pain diagnosis is the first step to relief. Early diagnosis and treatment might also help avoid further damage.

Causes of Hip Pain?

Many illnesses might cause hip pain while sleeping. Bursitis, osteoarthritis, sciatic-piriformis syndrome, and tendonitis are common causes. Other causes include pregnancy, muscle or soft tissue injury, sleeping position, bed, and pillow injuries. Referred hip discomfort comes from your lower back or another source. Hip pain can be aching or burning.

Sleeping Posture

A soft or rigid mattress or sleeping position may induce hip pain in the morning. If you typically lie on your back, consider switching to your side. Try sleeping on the other side with a pillow between your legs to adjust your hips. Improper mattress firmness might cause hip pain from pressure points. Try softer or firmer mattresses.

Bursitis

Small, fluid-filled sacs called bursae cushion your hip joints. Overuse of your hip joint, such as playing sports, running, or lifting heavy objects, can develop bursitis. Bursitis improves after a few days or weeks of rest and treatment. Bursitis symptoms:

• Long-term sitting pain 
• Outer hip and upper thigh pain 
• Pain or stiffness when moving or lying down
• Sharp pain and discomfort that aches

Hip & Other Arthritis

The most frequent hip arthritis is osteoarthritis. It may include:

• Rheumatoid arthritis
• Psoriatic arthritis
• Septic arthritis

For hip arthritis, you may notice pain in the:

• Groin, buttocks, thigh, or knee
• Worsened by sitting
• Prevents sleep
• Causes a grinding sound (crepitus) or hip locking

Hip Tendonitis

Tendons connect muscles to bones and stabilize joints. Swollen and injured hip tendons cause tendonitis. Overuse injuries from sitting with your legs crossed or standing with your weight on one hip may cause this. Hip tendonitis symptoms:

• Deep or dull groin pain that worsens after climbing stairs 
• Nighttime hip ache
• Buttock pain if your hamstring tendon is enlarged and injured

Pregnancy

As your pregnancy progresses, your hips and spine experience more pressure. This can result in hip and lower back discomfort. Loosening ligaments and muscles before labor might cause hip pain. Sleep on your side at night with a pregnancy cushion or rolled-up blanket behind your back. For better hip alignment, you can also put a pillow between your legs.

Labral tears are a rare cause of pregnant hip discomfort. A lot of labral tears will heal on their own with rest, but bigger tears might need surgery.

How Do I Relieve Hip Pain During the Night?

Gentle exercise and stretching during the day can help with some nighttime hip pain. Are you constantly sitting or standing at work? If so, lower back and hip pain may be more likely. If you exercise frequently with your legs and hips, the same applies. Hip pain can occur if you start exercising frequently after being sedentary. Start an exercise routine slowly to allow your hips and joints to adjust. Gentle stretching loosens stiff muscles and promotes circulation, making sleep more comfortable.

Take a painkiller before bed. If you have muscle or soft tissue pain, consider a warm bath or shower or a deep massage. Pain management in Dallas may recommend physical therapy for persistent pain. If painkillers and rehabilitation fail, hip joint injections may help. Adjusting the lower back tension that causes sleep hip pain is often enough. A fresh mattress may also assist.

See a doctor if hip pain keeps you up at night. Your hip may be examined for discomfort and edema. They’ll check your hip range of motion for arthritis and tendinitis. Reduced motion indicates arthritis. To rule out conditions, they may take blood or fluid samples or request X-rays. Injury-related hip discomfort requires urgent attention or the ER.

Conclusion

Working with your doctor to build a treatment plan is vital because a lack of sleep can worsen the hip pain at night. There are numerous hip issues that are not life-threatening; however, they can be distressing and require a prolonged recovery period. Nighttime pain relief includes warm baths, massages, hot and cold packs, and carefully placed pillows. Stretching and low-impact workouts like swimming, walking, and tai chi during the day will help you heal and sleep. Staying active, flexible, and fit can reduce injuries, but not all. Consult with a hip specialist in Dallas to determine the best hip pain treatment.