Hip Pain and Hip Arthritis Treatment in Bakersfield
Groin pain when you walk, an aching outer hip that keeps you up at night, or a hip that has slowly stiffened. Most hip pain improves with the right exercise, and you can start without a referral.
Yes, physical therapy helps most hip pain. Exercise and physical therapy are strongly recommended for hip osteoarthritis by the American College of Rheumatology and the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. For painful outer-hip tendons (often called “hip bursitis”), studies show that education and targeted strengthening do better over the long run than a cortisone shot alone. At ARI Physical Therapy in Bakersfield, every visit is one-on-one with a licensed physical therapist.
Does this sound like you?
✓Pain in the groin or front of the hip when you walk or stand up
✓Aching on the outside of the hip, worse lying on that side at night
✓Stiffness putting on socks and shoes or getting in and out of the car
✓Pain on stairs, hills or after sitting for a while
✓A limp, or a hip that feels weak or unsteady
✓Tightness or pulling at the front of the hip after sports or long sitting
Common causes of hip pain
Hip pain has a few common sources, and where it hurts is a useful clue:
Hip arthritis usually causes pain in the groin or front of the hip, with stiffness after rest.
Outer-hip tendon pain (gluteal tendinopathy, often called trochanteric bursitis) causes aching on the side of the hip, and it is often worse lying on that side, climbing stairs or standing on one leg.
Muscle strains at the front of the hip or groin are common in active people.
Pain in the buttock or pain that runs down the leg can also come from the low back, which is why a careful evaluation matters. See our sciatica and back pain guide.
Why exercise helps
Strong hip and thigh muscles take load off the joint and the tendons around it. For arthritis, the X-ray often doesn't match how much it hurts, and building strength can reduce pain even though the joint itself doesn't change. For outer-hip tendon pain, the right loading exercises help the tendon get stronger, and small changes, like how you sit, stand and sleep, take pressure off it while it settles.
What treatment at ARI looks like
1
A one-on-one evaluation
Your first visit takes about 45 to 60 minutes. We check your hip and back, strength, flexibility, balance and walking to find where the pain is really coming from, and ask which activities matter most to you.
2
Strength and movement
Progressive strengthening for the hip and thigh muscles, hands-on treatment for stiffness, and exercises adjusted so the hip is challenged without flaring up.
3
Everyday changes
Easier ways to sit, sleep, climb stairs and get in the car, a walking plan you can build on, and a home program to keep the gains going.
No referral needed to start. In California, you can see a physical therapist directly for up to 12 visits or 45 days, whichever comes first. Some insurance plans still require a referral for coverage; call us at (661) 282-8584 and we'll help you check.
When to see a doctor first
See a doctor promptly if you have:
Hip or groin pain after a fall, especially if you can't put weight on the leg, which can be a fracture
Fever or feeling unwell with a hot, painful hip
Hip pain with numbness in the groin or inner thighs, or new trouble controlling your bladder or bowels, which needs emergency care
Constant pain that is worse at night and not eased by rest or changing position, especially with a history of cancer or unexplained weight loss
Why patients choose ARI
Care at ARI is always one-on-one and in person with a licensed physical therapist at our Bakersfield clinic: 8200 Stockdale Hwy, Suite B2, in the Town & Country Village center next to Trader Joe's. Our clinic director, Deepa Konnur, PT, MPT, OCS, is a board-certified Orthopedic Certified Specialist. We accept most private insurance plans and Medicare, and we have staff who speak Spanish and Hindi.
Hip pain FAQs
Yes. Exercise and physical therapy are strongly recommended treatments for hip osteoarthritis. Strengthening the muscles around the hip can reduce pain and make walking, stairs and daily tasks easier, and for some people it can put off the need for surgery.
Often, pain on the side of the hip is actually irritation of the tendons that attach there (gluteal tendinopathy), and it is sometimes called trochanteric bursitis. Education and targeted strengthening are an effective treatment, and your therapist will also rule out pain coming from your back.
If the outside of your hip hurts, try not to lie on that side. When lying on the other side, a pillow between your knees keeps the top leg from crossing over and pulling on the sore tendons. Your therapist can suggest positions that suit you.
Usually not. Staying active is good for hip joints and tendons. You may need to adjust how far or how fast you walk for a while, and your therapist can help you find a level that doesn't flare it up.
No. In California you can see a physical therapist directly for up to 12 visits or 45 days, whichever comes first. Some insurance plans still require a referral for coverage, so call us at (661) 282-8584 and we'll help you check.