What causes hip pain after exercise, and what should you do about it?

In general, hip joint pain after exercise may be caused by insufficient warm-up before exercise, muscle fatigue, excessive exercise load, synovitis, or osteoarthritis. If discomfort occurs, it is recommended to seek medical attention promptly. The specific analysis is as follows:

1. Insufficient warm-up before exercise

Inadequate warm-up may prevent muscles and joints from reaching their optimal state for physical activity. Sudden high-intensity exercise can easily cause injury and lead to hip joint pain. It is recommended to perform 5–10 minutes of warm-up activities before each exercise session, such as jogging, brisk walking, or joint mobility exercises.

2. Muscle fatigue

During exercise, metabolic byproducts such as lactic acid accumulate in muscle tissues. When exercise intensity exceeds the muscles' metabolic capacity, lactic acid builds up, leading to muscle fatigue and aching pain in the hip joint. Adequate rest and recovery are essential. Physical therapies such as heat therapy, cold therapy, gentle stretching, and massage can help relieve muscle tension and pain.

3. Excessive exercise load

Suddenly increasing exercise volume or exceeding one's physical capacity may place excessive stress on the hip joint, resulting in pain. Exercise intensity and duration should be increased gradually, avoiding sudden increases in workload.

4. Synovitis

Synovitis is typically an inflammatory condition caused by irritation or injury to the synovial membrane of the hip joint. Inflammation leads to increased production of synovial fluid, elevated intra-articular pressure, and consequently hip joint pain. Symptoms may include joint swelling, tenderness, and restricted movement. Under medical guidance, patients may use medications such as celecoxib capsules, synovitis granules, or etoricoxib tablets for treatment.

5. Osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis is an inflammatory condition resulting from wear and degeneration of the hip joint cartilage. Inflammation may cause irregular joint surfaces and increased friction during movement, leading to pain. Common accompanying symptoms include joint stiffness and limited mobility. Treatment may involve medications such as ibuprofen sustained-release capsules, meloxicam capsules, or diacerein capsules, used under a doctor’s supervision.

It is advisable to develop the habit of warming up before exercise, maintain a balance between work and rest in daily life, and avoid overexertion to promote overall health.