Use this as a reading checklist beside the full topic pages — not as medical clearance.
Educational summary only.
Red flags
- Inability to bear weight after traumaA sudden inability to bear weight on the leg following a fall, particularly in older adults, raises concern for hip fracture and warrants urgent evaluation.
- Fever with hip painHip pain accompanied by fever raises concern for joint infection, especially in children, and requires prompt medical assessment.
- Unexplained weight loss with deep hip or groin painThese features can occasionally indicate a non-musculoskeletal cause and should be assessed by a physician.
- Sudden severe pain with a snap or popA sudden pop or snap followed by severe pain and inability to continue activity may indicate a significant muscle or tendon tear requiring evaluation.
Common don’ts
- Prolonged sitting with legs crossedSustained hip adduction and internal rotation positions, such as crossing the legs for long periods, are commonly discouraged in gluteal tendon conditions because they compress the irritated tendons.
- Lying directly on the affected sideSleeping on the painful hip is generally discouraged in greater trochanteric pain syndrome, since it increases compressive load on the irritated tendons.
- Sudden increases in running or stair-climbing volumeRapidly increasing high-impact activity is a commonly cited contributor to hip tendon and joint irritation and is generally advised against.
- Deep stretching into pinching hip painForcing a deep hip stretch that reproduces sharp, pinching pain is generally discouraged, particularly when impingement or labral involvement is suspected.
- Ignoring persistent limpContinuing higher-demand activity despite a noticeable limp is generally discouraged, since altered gait mechanics can place added strain on other joints.
When to stop
- Sharp or pinching groin painA sudden sharp or pinching sensation in the groin during exercise is a signal to stop and reassess the movement or range being used.
- Inability to bear full weightA new inability to bear normal weight on the leg during exercise, especially after a fall, warrants stopping and seeking evaluation.
- Increasing swelling around the hipNoticeable swelling that develops or worsens during a rehabilitation program should prompt a pause and clinical reassessment.
- Symptoms lasting well beyond a dayDiscomfort expected to settle within hours but instead persisting or worsening overnight suggests the load was too advanced for the current phase.
Return checkpoints
- Pain-free walking and stair climbingBasic weight-bearing activities should be performed without significant pain before progressing to higher-demand tasks.
- Restored gluteal strengthStrength testing should show near-symmetrical results compared to the uninvolved side before returning to demanding activity.
- Stable single-leg controlThe pelvis should remain level and controlled during single-leg standing and stepping tasks.
- Tolerance of sport- or job-specific movementsMovements relevant to work or sport, such as running, cutting, or repetitive lifting, should be tolerated at full intensity without symptom recurrence.