What to Expect During a Hip Assessment
A general look at what a clinical hip assessment often involves, so you know roughly what to expect going in.
On this page
See a doctor now if you have:
- Sudden severe pain
- Inability to bear weight
- Fever with joint pain
- Numbness
- Loss of bladder or bowel control
- Recent trauma
Knowing roughly what to expect can make a hip assessment feel less daunting. The exact process varies by clinician and by what they suspect is going on, but most assessments follow a broadly similar shape.
A typical assessment often includes
- A conversation about your symptoms — when they started, what makes them better or worse, and how they’re affecting your daily life.
- A look at your general health and activity history, including any previous injuries or relevant family history.
- A physical examination, which may involve watching you walk, and moving your hip through different positions to see what reproduces symptoms and what your range of motion looks like.
- A discussion of next steps, which might include simple self-management advice, a referral to physiotherapy, or imaging such as an X-ray, depending on what’s suspected.
Imaging isn’t always needed
Many common hip complaints can be assessed clinically without imaging, particularly early on. Your clinician will explain their reasoning if they do recommend a scan.
Making the most of the appointment
Bringing a simple note of your symptoms, and being ready to describe what activities are affected, can help. See questions to ask during a hip consultation for a few starting points.
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Sources
- Placeholder — full citation pending clinical review — To be replaced with a peer-reviewed source before this page leaves draft status.
Related reading
Hip Anatomy Explained
A closer look at the bones, cartilage, muscles, and tendons that make up the hip joint, and how they work together.
Hip Bursitis
Irritation of one of the small, fluid-filled sacs that help reduce friction near the hip. Pain may be more noticeable when lying on the affected side.
Hip Fractures
A break in the upper part of the thigh bone, most often linked to a fall, that needs prompt medical attention — general education on what to know.
Hip Impingement (Femoroacetabular Impingement)
A pattern where the ball and socket of the hip don't glide past each other quite as smoothly as expected, which can cause pinching pain with certain movements.
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