The initial treatment for bursitis is heat to the affected area, followed by stretching exercises and ice massage. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medicines are also quite helpful. Should symptoms continue, sometimes a local steroid injection is very helpful in resolving hip bursitis.

Arthritis
Arthritis is a very common hip problem, particularly in older people or in people who have had a prior hip injury. Symptoms of arthritis of the hip include pain in the hip area which may radiate into the groin and into the anterior thigh. Frequently this pain is worse when getting up from a sitting position or when walking. The hip may also catch, pop or give way. Once the arthritis is present, it tends to gradually get worse, although the course of arthritis is quite variable. 

The treatment for arthritis is moderate exercise to strengthen the muscles around the joint, particularly non-impact exercises such as swimming or water aerobics. Heat or ice also frequently help with the symptoms, particularly towards the end of the day. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medicines will help to relieve a great deal of discomfort. Ultimately, a total hip replacement surgery may be required. While this is a major surgery, it is usually quite effective in relieving the pain associated with hip arthritis.

Fracture
Many people, particularly the elderly, suffer hip fractures from falling. Most of these fractures are near the hip joint and are called either femoral neck fractures or intertrochanteric hip fractures. 

Both of these fractures require surgical treatment in order to preserve independence and freedom of movement, with the least chance of potential problems. A hip fracture can be an especially severe injury, particularly in an elderly person.