Hip Pain Getting In and Out of the Car? Here's What It Means and What to Do
Updated October 20261 minute read
Hip pain getting in and out of the car is a classic sign of a hip-joint problem — the movement combines deep bending and rotation, which provokes arthritis, impingement, or a labral issue. It's usually a wear or shape-related problem rather than an emergency. Modifying how you enter the car and strengthening the hip help. Pain you can't bear weight on after a fall needs urgent care.
What this usually means
Most likely causes. Hip osteoarthritis, impingement, and labral issues commonly flare with the twist-and-bend of entering a car. Less common causes. Outer-hip tendon pain or back-referred pain can also be provoked by this movement.
What you can try at home
Lead with the painful leg, lower yourself onto the seat first, then swing both legs in together (and reverse to get out) to reduce the twisting load on the hip. Keep the hip gently active and strengthen the glutes and deep hip muscles.
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When to see a physical therapist
If this pain is persistent or part of broader hip stiffness, a PT can identify the cause and build a plan.
Red flags — don't wait
Seek urgent care if you can't bear weight after a fall, the leg looks deformed, or the joint is hot and feverish.
Already seen a doctor, or have imaging? Request a match — free.
If a doctor has checked you out and physical therapy is an option, tell us where you are. We'll send you cash-pay PTs nearby who treat this, with their prices and first openings — bring your results to the first visit. You choose; we don't give medical advice.
We check two or three cash-pay PTs near you. We reply within 1 business day with next steps.
How a PT treats this
Treatment improves hip strength and motion, retrains the get-in/get-out movement, and addresses the underlying joint issue.
Frequently asked questions
It combines deep bending and rotation, which provokes hip-joint problems.
Sources (5)
- Cibulka MT, et al. Hip Pain and Mobility Deficits — Hip Osteoarthritis: Revision 2017. Clinical Practice Guidelines. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther. 2017. — PubMed
- AAOS OrthoInfo: Osteoarthritis of the Hip. — AAOS OrthoInfo
- MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia: Hip pain. — NIH/MedlinePlus
- Fransen M, et al. Exercise for osteoarthritis of the hip. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2014. — Cochrane
- Kemp JL, et al. Improving function in people with hip-related pain: a systematic review and meta-analysis of physiotherapist-led interventions. Br J Sports Med. 2020. — BJSM
This article is for education only and isn't medical advice. Always talk to a licensed clinician about your specific situation.