Urgent Care for Hip Pain: When to See a Doctor | CityHealth San Leandro

Hip pain can stop you in your tracks. Whether it came on suddenly after a fall or built up over time, urgent care for hip pain is often the fastest way to get answers and relief. At CityHealth Urgent Care in San Leandro, our providers can evaluate your hip, order X-rays if needed, and get you on the path to recovery — all without waiting weeks for a specialist appointment.

Common Causes of Hip Pain

The hip is one of the body’s largest and most complex joints. Pain in this area can come from the joint itself, surrounding muscles, tendons, or nerves. According to the Mayo Clinic, common causes of hip pain include:

• Hip flexor strain — Overstretching or tearing the muscles at the front of the hip, often from running or sudden movements
• Hip bursitis — Inflammation of the fluid-filled sacs (bursae) that cushion the hip joint
• Hip labral tear — Damage to the ring of cartilage around the hip socket
• Iliopsoas (groin) strain — A pulled muscle on the inner hip from overuse or sudden strain
• Osteoarthritis — Wear-and-tear breakdown of cartilage in the hip joint
• Hip fracture — A break in the upper femur, more common in older adults after a fall
• Tendinitis — Inflammation of tendons from repetitive motion or overuse
• Sciatica — Nerve pain that radiates from the lower back through the hip and down the leg
• Referred pain — Pain that originates elsewhere (back, groin, or knee) but is felt in the hip

When to Go to Urgent Care for Hip Pain

Not every ache requires a trip to urgent care, but some signs suggest you should get evaluated promptly. Head to CityHealth San Leandro if you have hip pain and:

• Pain began after a fall, collision, or direct impact
• You cannot bear weight or put pressure on the hip
• You heard a pop or snap when the injury happened
• The hip looks visibly deformed or out of position
• Swelling, bruising, or significant tenderness is present
• Pain has been worsening over several days
• You have numbness, tingling, or weakness in the leg
• You are an older adult who fell — even a minor fall can fracture a hip

When Hip Pain Is a Medical Emergency

Go to the emergency room or call 911 immediately if you experience:

• Severe hip pain after a high-impact injury (car accident, major fall)
• Complete inability to move the hip or leg
• Signs of hip dislocation — the leg appears shorter or rotated outward
• High fever with hip pain, which can signal a joint infection (septic arthritis)
• Severe pain with redness and warmth — possible deep infection

These situations need emergency imaging and specialist care immediately.

How CityHealth Evaluates Hip Pain

When you come in for urgent care hip pain, our providers will:

1. Take a detailed history — How did the pain start? Was there trauma? Where exactly does it hurt? Does it radiate?
2. Perform a physical exam — Assess range of motion, tenderness, strength, and gait
3. Order X-rays if indicated — CityHealth has on-site digital X-ray to check for fractures, bone abnormalities, or joint space narrowing
4. Diagnose and treat — Based on findings, we’ll provide a diagnosis, prescribe anti-inflammatory medication if needed, and create a treatment plan
5. Refer when necessary — Complex hip injuries (fractures, labral tears) may need orthopedic specialist follow-up; we will coordinate that referral

Treatment Options for Hip Pain at Urgent Care

The right treatment depends on the cause. Common approaches include:

RICE Protocol for Soft Tissue Injuries

For hip strains, bursitis, or tendinitis, the standard first-line care involves:

• Rest — Avoid activities that trigger pain
• Ice — Apply an ice pack for 15-20 minutes several times a day
• Compression — Use a wrap or compression shorts to reduce swelling
• Elevation — When possible, keep the hip elevated while resting

Medications

Our providers may prescribe or recommend:

• NSAIDs (ibuprofen, naproxen) to reduce pain and inflammation
• Muscle relaxants for significant muscle spasm
• Short-term prescription pain relief for more severe injuries

Activity Modification and PT Referral

Depending on the diagnosis, we may recommend temporarily modifying activities and refer you to physical therapy for rehabilitation exercises that strengthen hip muscles and improve flexibility.

Orthopedic Referral

If imaging reveals a fracture, significant labral tear, or other structural problem, we will provide a referral to an orthopedic specialist for further evaluation and treatment planning.

Hip Pain by Type: What It Could Mean

Pain on the Outside of the Hip

Pain on the outer hip or thigh is often caused by hip bursitis or iliotibial (IT) band syndrome. This is common in runners and cyclists. It usually responds well to rest, anti-inflammatory medication, and stretching.

Pain in the Groin

Groin pain — felt at the front and inner hip — often points to a hip flexor strain, labral tear, or osteoarthritis. A physical exam and X-ray can help rule out a stress fracture or joint damage.

Pain in the Buttocks or Back of the Hip

Pain at the back of the hip or buttock region can signal piriformis syndrome, sciatic nerve irritation, or referred pain from the lumbar spine. This type of hip pain often worsens with sitting.

Hip Pain in Older Adults

In adults over 60, hip pain after a fall is a red flag for hip fracture. The National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS) notes that hip fractures are one of the most serious orthopedic injuries in older adults — early imaging is critical.

Hip Pain in Athletes and Active People

Athletes commonly develop hip pain from overuse or acute injury. Sports that involve running, kicking, or rapid direction changes — soccer, basketball, running, martial arts — are particularly associated with hip flexor strains, labral tears, and stress fractures.

If you play sports and develop sudden or persistent hip pain, don’t push through it. An early evaluation can prevent a minor strain from becoming a serious injury.

Hip Pain Recovery: What to Expect

Recovery timelines vary by injury type:

• Hip flexor strain (mild) — 1-3 weeks with rest and RICE
• Hip bursitis — Several weeks with anti-inflammatory treatment and activity modification
• Tendinitis — 4-8 weeks with physical therapy
• Hip fracture (non-displaced) — Months of recovery, often with orthopedic management
• Labral tear — Varies; some respond to physical therapy, others require surgery

Preventing Hip Injuries

You can reduce your risk of hip pain with a few healthy habits:

• Warm up before exercise — stretch your hip flexors, glutes, and quadriceps
• Strengthen your core and hip stabilizer muscles
• Avoid sudden increases in exercise intensity (the “10% rule” — don’t increase distance or volume by more than 10% per week)
• Wear supportive footwear
• Maintain a healthy weight to reduce load on the joint
• Older adults: fall-proof your home and consider balance training

Frequently Asked Questions About Urgent Care for Hip Pain

Can urgent care treat hip pain?

Yes. Urgent care can evaluate hip pain, perform X-rays, diagnose soft tissue injuries, prescribe medication, and refer you to a specialist if needed. CityHealth in San Leandro handles a wide range of hip injuries and conditions.

Should I go to urgent care or the ER for hip pain?

If you can walk and the pain is not severe, urgent care is appropriate. If you cannot bear weight, the hip appears deformed, or there was a high-impact injury, go to the ER or call 911.

Will urgent care do an X-ray for my hip?

Yes. CityHealth has on-site digital X-ray equipment and can image the hip during your visit to check for fractures, joint issues, or bone abnormalities.

How much does urgent care for hip pain cost?

CityHealth accepts most major insurance plans. For patients without insurance, we offer transparent pricing. Contact us for details on current pricing.

What if I need an MRI for my hip?

Urgent care X-ray can rule out fractures and some structural problems. If an MRI is needed for soft tissue evaluation (labral tear, cartilage damage), we will provide a referral to the appropriate imaging center or specialist.