Hip Pain Going Up Stairs? Here's What It Means and What to Do
Updated July 20261 minute read
Hip pain climbing stairs usually means the hip muscles — especially the glutes — are working hard against load on one leg, which flares gluteal tendinopathy, bursitis, or hip arthritis. It's typically an overload or wear issue, not an emergency. Strengthening the glutes and improving single-leg control usually help. Inability to bear weight after a fall, or a hot feverish joint, needs urgent care.
What this usually means
Most likely causes. Outer-hip pain on stairs suggests gluteal tendinopathy or bursitis; groin pain on stairs suggests hip arthritis or impingement. Less common causes. Back-referred pain or a hip flexor issue can also flare with stair climbing.
What you can try at home
Use the handrail and lead with the stronger leg going up if it's painful. Reduce how often you tackle long flights temporarily, and begin gentle gluteal strengthening to build single-leg capacity.
When to see a physical therapist
If stair-climbing hip pain persists or limits you, a PT can localize the cause and build a strengthening 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.
How a PT treats this
Treatment strengthens the glutes and deep hip muscles and improves single-leg control for stairs.
Frequently asked questions
Sources (4)
- Mellor R, et al. Education plus exercise versus corticosteroid injection use versus a wait and see approach on global outcome and pain from gluteal tendinopathy: prospective, single blinded, randomised clinical trial (LEAP). BMJ. 2018. — PubMed
- 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: Hip Bursitis. — AAOS OrthoInfo
- MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia: Hip pain. — NIH/MedlinePlus
This article is for education only and isn't medical advice. Always talk to a licensed clinician about your specific situation.