I've had this hip problem for a year or so on and off again. I'm still not sure what sets it off or if it is an actual injury? The very outside area of my left hip at the socket joint seems to swell as compared to the normal right one. Sometimes I think it's bursitis. I did some research on hip cysts and also saw something on laybrum (sp) tears and I'm still in the dark.
Rest helps, running doesn't. Squats and dead lifts may be the cause, but eliminating things one by one is impossible. Biking is not a problem. It is less at times but doesn't go away and can get real nasty if I push it. I really want to stay with my trail running for cardio, but being able to sleep at night is important. I actually feel radiation down my entire leg.
Any opinions? I've tried less weight on my lifts with no definitive results.

it actually swells up? If it does, it's definately an injury of some sort. The pain radiates? Is it clearly down the leg and not just radiating out in concentric circles from where the pain is?

You should definately go see a doc.. it's really impossible to say over a forum.

Yeah... MRI here you come.

I'm so not a fan of doctors! I did go awhile back for an xray only to hear the normal bs about narrowing hip socket, arthritis etc. Stop running and lifting blah blah. Hip replacement etc. Give me a break. I fixed my back and flexor problems by identifying the problem areas and strengthening them through massive core training routines. I am of the school if there is a problem there must be a weak area so strengthen it instead of doing nothing. I did a long Mtn bike ride this AM with no ill effects so I think I will lay off squats etc until it settles and eliminate stuff one by one. I may try acupuncture but no doctors until I'm out of options. Thanks for the responses.

Self diagnosis is a suckers game. Go down to the docs office and get some facts by MRI or xray before you can start making an educated guess as to what the problem is. Otherwise, what difference does it make that you know? You can't write yourself a presciption for anything. Whatever it is, you already know that resting it is smart. So just do it.