Hip Pain: Causes and Differential Diagnosis

Name: Hip Pain: Causes and Differential Diagnosis
Rating: 4.2 (4 reviews)

An Evidence Based Practice Solution.

Created byCross Border Seminars Debra Dent BPT Dip Manip PT OCS (Emeritus) FCAMPT (Retired)

Last updated 3/2026

English

English [Auto],

What you'll learn

List three non-musculoskeletal diagnoses that can affect the hip with referred pain.
Describe two symptoms of axial spondyloarthropathy that may mimic posterior gluteal pain
List three risk factors of statin involved muscle pain.
Describe the key features of soft tissue posterior buttock pain.
Describe the key features of peripheral nerve related posterior buttock pain.
Describe the referral pattern of thoracolumbar involvement.
List two variables for the CPR of Osteoarthritis of the hip.
List four factors documented in the clinical presentation of Gluteal tendinopathy.

Course content

7 sections • 36 lectures • 2h 55m total length

Introduction1:39
Objectives0:31
Disclaimer0:16

Serious Pathology Considerations0:56
Vascular10:17
Visceral Referral6:48
Fractures6:31
Axial Spondyloarthropathy9:32
Investigate axial spondyloarthropathy and seronegative spondyloarthropathies, focusing on spine and Si joints involvement, HLA-B27 positivity, and enthesitis. Learn early diagnosis, differential features, CPR, and the gender differences impacting patient journeys.
Statin Associated Muscle Symptoms16:27
Assess statin associated muscle symptoms (SAMS), including myalgia, myopathy, and rhabdomyolysis risk, with nocebo considerations, differential diagnoses, and management via statin cessation or dose adjustment.
Serious Pathology Quiz

Lumbar Radiculopathy17:38
Examine lumbar radiculopathy, differentiate it from posterior hip pain, and review key tests like the straight leg raise and slump test, plus emerging clinical prediction rules for diagnosis.
Thoracolumbar Involvement2:14
Sacroiliac Dysfunction3:38
Identify sacroiliac dysfunction through SI joint-related pain patterns worsened by sit-to-stand and single-leg stance. Apply Laslett's five SI joint tests, noting limited rule-in accuracy and 92% rule-out with negative results.
Posterior Syndromes of the Buttock8:04
Deep Gluteal Syndrome11:14
Identify deep gluteal syndrome as a non-disc, extra pelvic entrapment of the sciatic nerve within the deep gluteal space, involving piriformis, gemelli, and obturator internus.
Soft Tissue Key Issues1:33
Soft tissue issues, including muscles, tendons, and fascia, can cause posterior buttock pain from overloading or rest loading; pain eases with warming up but recurs after cooling.
Posterior Hip Pain Related to the Hip Joint5:42
Posterior Pathology Quiz

Anterior Pathology Introduction0:38
Osteoarthritis of the Hip7:50
Diagnostic Accuracy of Patient History in Diagnosis0:57
Diagnostic Accuracy of Patient History in the Diagnosis of Hip-Related Pain: A Systematic Review.
A systematic review looked at the accuracy of a patient history to diagnose hip pain. The researchers looked for a inclusion criteria of:
a. Patients with hip pain
b. Statistical association of a t least 1 patient history item reported
c. Study designs appropriate for diagnostic accuracy
d. Adults aged over 18 years
e. Written in English
f. Used acceptable reference standards for diagnosing hip pathology
Outcomes:
Hip OA- a family history of OA (+) LR of 2.1
History of knee OA (+) LR 2.5-3.8
Self-reported limitation of ROM (+) LR 2.8
Constant LBP or buttock pain (+) LR 6.5
Groin pain on the same side (+) LR 3.6
Screening questionnaire (+) LR 3.8-13.2
Intraarticular hip pathology - crepitus (+) LR 3.5
They concluded that a patient history plays a key role in the DD of hip pain and felt it could be superior to objective tests and measures.
If we look at statistics, generally (+) LR of 5 or greater is needed and this is the gold standard. So the number of their outcomes was less than 5, so we need to keep this in mind.
Aa, W., Bm, N., & M, D. (2021). Diagnostic Accuracy of Patient History in the Diagnosis of Hip Related Pain: A Systematic Review. Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, 102(12).
Osteoarthritis of the Knee0:48
Hip Labral Pathology2:27
Femoral Acetabular Impingement7:33
Hip Joint Laxity1:00
Other Disorders7:22
Anterior Pathology Quiz

Lateral Pathology Introduction0:52
Clinical Presentation2:16
The clinical presentation of greater trochanter pain syndrome affects midlife athletes, especially females, with higher BMI. It features lateral hip pain with tenderness, provoked by weight-bearing tasks and single-leg stance.
Pathomechanics of GTPS4:09
Other Differential Diagnosis Possibilities1:22
Outcome Measures and Functional Assessment Tools2:36
Learn to use outcome measures and functional assessment tools to diagnose and treat greater trochanter pain syndrome, including Who's Hip survey, Womac, and I heart 33.
Objective Testing4:14
Patient Education for Load Management3:12
Educate patients on load management for lateral hip pain. Monitor activity, sleep position, and avoid adduction stretches and clamshells when gtps is present.
Treatment Concepts4:42
Alternate Treatments0:54
Lateral Pathology Quiz

Requirements

This course is designed for the medical practitioner and is not designed for the general public.
There are no prerequisites for medical practitioners to take this course.

Description

Hip Pain: Causes and Differential Diagnosis is a three-hour seminar that utilizes current evidence-based practice and is a detailed, comprehensive summary of multiple reasons for hip and buttock pain. It looks at hip pain and dysfunction from the anterior, lateral, and posterior aspects. Hip Pain: Causes and Differential Diagnosis incorporates everything from serious pathology and statin muscle involvement to lumbar, Sacro Iliac, and hip pathologies. By applying the current research, this seminar is highly relevant to the diagnosis and treatment of hip dysfunction.

You will learn the information which will assist them in diagnosing a serious pathology that should be referred to a Physician.

Vascular
Visceral
Infection and Malignancy
Spondyloarthropathies
Fractures and Avulsions
Statins SAMS

You will be given the information to enable you to understand the signs and symptoms of posterior pathologies that can affect the hip.

Lumbar Radiculopathy
SI Joint Dysfunction
Thoracolumbar Involvement
Peripheral Entrapment of the Sciatic Nerve
Deep Gluteal Syndrome
Soft Tissue Related Buttock Pain
Hip-Related Posterior Pain

You will learn the multiple causes of anterior hip and thigh pain in your patients.

Osteoarthritis of the Hip
Osteoarthritis of the Knee
Labral Tears
Femoral Acetabular Impingement
Inguinal Ligament Disruption
Inguinal Hernia
Cutaneous Nerve Impingement

You will learn the latest and most current evidence-based practice research on Greater Trochanter Pain Syndrome

Gluteal Tendinopathy
Gluteal Bursitis
Greater Trochanter Pain Syndrome
Assessment, Treatment, and Outcome Measures for GTPS

You will learn the signs and symptoms of hip pain specific to the regions and the suggested assessments and treatment programs that are being used. There are Clinical Prediction Rules that have been developed in the assessment of a number of pathologies that affect the hip, lumbar spine, and SI joint.

My goal for you at the end of this course is to have an improved overall view of a number of significant situations that can affect or refer to the hip.

Who this course is for:

Physical Therapists, Chiropractors, Athletic Trainers, Massage Therapist will all benefit from the information offered in this course.

Hip Pain: Causes and Differential Diagnosis

What you'll learn

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Course content

Introduction3 lectures • 2min

Serious Patholgy6 lectures • 51min

Posterior Patholgy7 lectures • 50min

Anterior Pathology8 lectures • 29min

Lateral Pathology9 lectures • 24min

In Conclusion2 lectures • 14min

Bonus Lecture1 lecture • 5min

Requirements

Description

Who this course is for: