What are the common causes of lower back and hip pain on one side. How can you differentiate between minor strains and more serious conditions. When should you seek medical attention for radiating pain in your lower back and hip.

Understanding Lower Back and Hip Pain: Common Causes and Symptoms

Lower back and hip pain can range from mild discomfort to debilitating agony, impacting daily activities and quality of life. While many cases stem from minor injuries or strains, some instances may signal more serious underlying conditions. This comprehensive guide examines 24 potential causes of radiating lower back and hip pain, helping you understand when to seek medical attention and how to address your symptoms.

Common Symptoms of Lower Back and Hip Pain

• Dull ache or sharp pain in the lower back
• Pain radiating to the buttocks or outer hip
• Stiffness or reduced range of motion
• Pain that worsens with movement or prolonged sitting
• Numbness or tingling sensation in the affected area

Minor Causes of Lower Back and Hip Pain: When Not to Worry

Many instances of lower back and hip pain are caused by minor issues that can be managed with rest, over-the-counter medications, and lifestyle modifications. These include:

1. Muscle Strains and Sprains

Overexertion, improper lifting techniques, or sudden movements can lead to muscle strains in the lower back or hip area. These injuries typically cause localized pain and stiffness that improve with rest and gentle stretching.

2. Poor Posture

Prolonged periods of sitting with poor posture can strain the muscles and ligaments in your lower back and hips. This can result in discomfort and pain that often improves with proper ergonomics and regular movement.

3. Sleeping in Awkward Positions

Sleeping in an unusual position can cause temporary pain or stiffness in the lower back and hip area. This discomfort typically resolves within a day or two with normal movement and stretching.

Moderate Risk Causes: When to Consider Medical Attention

Some causes of lower back and hip pain may require medical evaluation and treatment to prevent further complications or chronic issues. These include:

4. Sciatica

Sciatica occurs when the sciatic nerve, which runs from the lower back through the hips and down each leg, becomes compressed or irritated. This can cause pain that radiates from the lower back to the buttocks and down the affected leg. How is sciatica diagnosed? Healthcare providers typically diagnose sciatica through a combination of physical examination, patient history, and imaging studies such as MRI or CT scans.

5. Herniated Disc

A herniated disc occurs when the soft inner core of a spinal disc protrudes through its outer layer, potentially pressing on nearby nerves. This can cause pain, numbness, or weakness in the lower back and hip area, often radiating down the leg.

6. Sacroiliac Joint Dysfunction

The sacroiliac joints connect the spine to the pelvis. When these joints become inflamed or misaligned, it can cause pain in the lower back and hip area, often mimicking other conditions like sciatica or herniated discs.

High-Risk Causes: When Immediate Medical Attention is Necessary

Some causes of lower back and hip pain require prompt medical evaluation due to their potential for serious complications. These include:

7. Cauda Equina Syndrome

Cauda equina syndrome is a rare but serious condition that occurs when the bundle of nerves at the base of the spinal cord becomes compressed. This can cause severe lower back pain, loss of bladder or bowel control, and numbness in the “saddle” area. Why is cauda equina syndrome considered a medical emergency? Cauda equina syndrome requires immediate medical attention as it can lead to permanent nerve damage and paralysis if left untreated.

8. Spinal Infections

Infections of the spine, such as vertebral osteomyelitis or spinal epidural abscess, can cause severe back pain along with fever, chills, and neurological symptoms. These conditions require prompt medical treatment to prevent serious complications.

9. Malignant Tumors

While rare, tumors affecting the spine or surrounding tissues can cause persistent and progressive lower back and hip pain. These may be primary tumors or metastases from cancers elsewhere in the body.

Diagnostic Approaches for Lower Back and Hip Pain

Accurately diagnosing the cause of lower back and hip pain often requires a combination of clinical evaluation and diagnostic tests. Healthcare providers may use the following approaches:

• Physical examination
• Medical history review
• Imaging studies (X-rays, MRI, CT scans)
• Blood tests to check for inflammatory markers or infections
• Nerve conduction studies for suspected nerve-related issues

Treatment Options for Lower Back and Hip Pain

Treatment for lower back and hip pain varies depending on the underlying cause and severity of symptoms. Common approaches include:

Conservative Treatments

• Rest and activity modification
• Physical therapy and exercises
• Over-the-counter pain medications
• Hot or cold therapy
• Gentle stretching and yoga

Medical Interventions

• Prescription pain medications or muscle relaxants
• Corticosteroid injections
• Chiropractic care
• Acupuncture
• Surgical procedures (for severe cases)

Preventing Lower Back and Hip Pain: Lifestyle Modifications

While not all causes of lower back and hip pain can be prevented, certain lifestyle modifications can help reduce your risk of developing these issues:

• Maintain good posture during daily activities
• Practice proper lifting techniques
• Engage in regular exercise to strengthen core and back muscles
• Maintain a healthy weight to reduce stress on your joints
• Use ergonomic furniture and equipment at work and home
• Take regular breaks from prolonged sitting or standing

When to Seek Medical Attention for Lower Back and Hip Pain

While many cases of lower back and hip pain resolve on their own, certain symptoms warrant prompt medical evaluation. Seek medical attention if you experience:

• Severe pain that doesn’t improve with rest or over-the-counter medications
• Pain accompanied by fever, chills, or unexplained weight loss
• Numbness, tingling, or weakness in the legs
• Loss of bladder or bowel control
• Pain that worsens at night or is unrelated to activity
• Pain following a traumatic injury or fall

Understanding the potential causes of lower back and hip pain can help you determine when to seek medical attention and how to manage your symptoms effectively. By staying informed and proactive about your health, you can minimize the impact of these conditions on your daily life and overall well-being.

24 Reasons for Radiating Lower Back or Hip Pain on One Side

16 most common causes

Hip Bursitis

Illustration of various health care options.

Bulging disc

Illustration of various health care options.

Sacroiliac Joint Dysfunction

Chronic Kidney Disease

Ankylosing Spondylitis

Pinched Nerve

Illustration of a person thinking with cross bandaids.

Compression fracture

Trochanteric Pain

Diabetic Neuropathy

Spinal Stenosis

Osteoarthritis

Illustration of various health care options.

Cauda equina syndrome

Illustration of various health care options.

Piriformis syndrome

Illustration of a health care worker swabbing an individual.

Back muscle strains

Illustration of a person thinking with cross bandaids.

Hamstring muscle strain

Illustration of a doctor beside a bedridden patient.

Spinal epidural abscess

Radiating lower back pain quiz

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Severe pain always gets your attention and keeps it there, making you wonder if there is something worrisome that is wrong.

Back pain and outer hip pain area can be especially troublesome, causing you pain when you move, walk, and even when you sleep. Sciatic nerve pain is especially troubling, causing pain in the butt – literally – and shooting pain in the leg that begins in the mid buttock and runs down the back of the leg down to the ankle.

We’ve put together a handy guide that will help you pinpoint the exact cause of your pain and know how serious—or mild, your condition is and to know if you need to get help immediately or see a doctor at your convenience.

If you are concerned that the cause of your radiating back/hip/leg pain might be something serious, check the more serious possible causes of your pain below to see what doctors say about when to worry about radiating hip and back pain.

You can also consult our handy back pain quiz, which will help you use your symptoms to diagnose possible causes for your pain.

Is radiating lower back and hip pain dangerous?

Most back pain is harmless – caused by sleeping in an awkward position, stretched muscles, overexertion, sitting down too long or falling on the ischial tuberosity (the bones of the butt that you sit on), or minor hip injuries caused by twisting a certain way during sports like volleyball. Many injuries arise simply from improper form during exercise, sports injuries, or strains.

But there are some pretty serious causes for back and hip pain as well. Lower back pain, in particular, can be a sign of various serious conditions such as advanced kidney infections or a condition called interstitial cystitis, which can cause inflammation of the tissues of the bladder. Sciatica causes lower back pain, pain in the back of the knee, pain in right buttock cheek, unilateral (one-sided) pain, thigh pain, pain behind the knee and calf, and muscle weakness in legs as well.

Outer hip pain and lateral hip pain, though typically not cause for alarm (as the hip is not sitting near any major organs like the heart, lungs, kidneys, or liver), can be a sign of a serious bone condition, such as arthritis in the back, rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, or tendonitis but can also indicate a more serious bone condition like a fracture, labral tear, or conditions such as snapping hip syndrome or osteonecrosis.

If you suffer with hip pain, this can be especially hard, as every movement we make, it seems, utilizes the hip in some way. Often, hip pain presents as dislocated hip symptoms because the hip pops when you move. This can be especially frightening, making one think the hip is broken. When one experiences hip pain running all down the right side of the body, with lower back pain in the right side above the hip area– combined with pain that runs down the back of the leg, or upper thigh pain when walking, you may have sciatica, a condition caused by a compression of the sciatic nerve.

The sciatic nerve is a long nerve that runs all the down both sides of the body, beginning at the bottom two vertebra of the back, through the hip area, and all the way down the legs. The pain is usually unilateral (one-sided) with this disorder.

Sciatica is often debilitating, causing significant pain and discomfort that makes working, lying down, and sleeping difficult, as it’s nearly impossible to find a way to sleep where you’re not pressing upon the long sciatic nerve in some way.

We’ll describe sciatica as one possible cause for different types of pain and other low, medium, and high risk causes of back and hip pain that will help you diagnose your condition fast and know exactly what kind of help to seek.

Low risk causes of radiating back or hip pain

This can be easily managed with over-the-counter (OTC) medications or by avoiding the movement/stressor causing your pain.

1. Piriformis syndrome

Piriformis syndrome is a type of neurological injury that is caused by compression of the sciatic nerve. The piriformis muscle sits deep within the buttock, behind the gluteus maximus. It starts at the lower spine and connects to the femur muscle. This nerve can become compressed from swelling of the piriformis muscle due to injury or muscle spasms or inflammation. Piriformis syndrome causes symptoms including pain in the back of the thigh, pain in the back of knee, buttock pain, pain in the calf, pain in sciatic nerve branches (pain in the nerves of leg and the buttocks, then), shooting pain in the legs, and hip pain after sitting.

Piriformis syndrome is not considered a serious injury—so RICE is in order for pain caused by triggers, like sitting too long. RICE is Rest, Ice, Compression, and Elevation. Also, see a primary care doctor or neurologist (nerve specialist), who can recommend physical therapy exercises and exercises for hip pain and other specific types of pain that will help you feel better. Also, a physican therapist can suggest ways exercises that provide pinched nerve relief, as nerve pain relief is what is primarily needed here.

2. Hamstring muscle strain

Often, a pulled or strained hamstring muscle can cause radiating lower back pain, and pain in the butt area as well. So, often, if you exercise a lot and are suddenly telling your friends, “My butt hurts a lot when I exercise it’s likely because of a pulled hamstring. Often, a pulled hamstring can cause referred pain, such as upper thigh pain or upper calf pain and pain in the back of knee area as well. Symptoms of a pulled hamstring include severe pain during exercise and tenderness, pain in thigh muscles, sharp front thigh pain, and tenderness and bruising in the thigh area. The best pain reliever for hamstring pain is to use the RICE method explained above and to do stretches that relax the muscles of the thigh.

3. Back muscle strains

If you’ve been working out hard, playing football or other sports, or moving a lot of heavy furniture and are suddenly suffering with radiating lower back pain, chances are you have pulled muscles or strained muscles in the back. Often, strained muscles will cause a burning sensation in the lower back a feeling of having limited movement ability. Doctors prefer to limit prescribing of opiate pain medications and may give you an alternative medication with less risk of becoming dependent.

4. Arthritis

Arthritis is a common cause of radiating lower back pain. Symptoms include back pain that fluctuates, coming and going throughout the day and night and numbness in the neck area, as well as stiffness and lack of mobility. Recommended treatment for arthritis of the back includes heat, ice, rest, exercising and stretches, and over the counter anti-inflammatories. In severe cases, patients seek surgery but sometimes, surgery does more harm than good.

Low-medium risk causes of radiating back or hip pain

Usually managed as an outpatient by your doctor with prescription medication.

5. A Pinched Nerve

A pinched nerve in the hip or back can cause radiating lower back and hip pain. If you wonder what does nerve pain feel like – it often involves severe pain and numbness that may be referred from other areas of the body. For example, a pinched nerve in the upper back can cause numbness in the fingers. But if you’re suffering with a pinched nerve—your main questions are probably ones of how to fix a pinched nerve, how long does a pinched nerve last, and how do you get pinched nerve relief? Often, pinched nerves are due to inflammation due to muscle tears, injuries, or pulled muscles. Sometimes, scar tissue from old injuries begins to accumulate and press on nerves. The best treatment for pinched nerves is often rest. But medications such as glucocorticoid injections and oral NSAIDs may help. For patients whose radicular pain has not improved with conservative treatment over six weeks and who want nonsurgical treatment, epidural injection of glucocorticoids may be reasonable.

6. Lumbosacral spinal stenosis

With lumbar stenosis nerves in the spinal cord and lower back become compressed. This type of injury can cause many of the symptoms of sciatica—including numbness and tingling in the legs and pain in the buttocks. Possible treatments include a sciatic nerve block, steroid injections, opioid pain medications, physical therapy, and rest. However, the use of epidural steroid injections is not supported by limited amount of available evidence.

7. Diabetic amyotrophy

The more common name for diabetic amyotrophy is diabetic neuropathy. It is a condition caused by advanced diabetes mellitus which affects the nerves in the legs, feet, hips, and buttocks. Symptoms include a wasting of the muscles of the legs as well as weakness of the leg muscles and severe, chronic pain in the buttocks, legs, and feet. Treatment includes monitoring blood glucose and keeping blood sugars well controlled as well as physical therapy and rest.

8. Lumbosacral plexopathy

Lumbosacral plexopathy, more commonly called diabetic lumbosacral plexopathy is a condition caused by advanced diabetes, in which patients begin suffering with debilitating pain in the hips, thighs, and legs. With lumbosacral plexopathy there is typically a wasting of the leg muscles asymmetrically. This condition can affect individuals who have both type I or II diabetes. Treatment includes controlling blood glucose levels, and chronic neuropathic pain management achieved through anticonvulsant medications (such as gabapentin for back pain) and selective norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (such as duloxetine).

9. Mononeuropathies of the leg (eg, lesion of the femoral/sciatic/peroneal/tibal nerve)

Mononeuropathies can affect nerves in the legs, arms, or other parts of the body. Mononeuropathy means a single nerve or nerve group has been damaged, for example, by a lesion that has developed along a nerve or group of nerves. Carpal tunnel syndrome is a good example of a mononeuropathy, in this case, affecting the wrist area. With mononeuropathy symptoms may be sudden (acute) or may develop slowly (chronic). Some of the more common mononeuropathies are

• femoral neuropathy (affecting the nerves of the leg/femur)
• sciatic nerve dysfunction (affecting the sciatic nerve)
• peroneal neuropathy (a branch of the sciatic nerve which affects the toes and foot).
• tibial neuropathy (the tibial nerve, affecting the calf and foot).

Symptoms of the neuropathies above would include burning sensation in leg areas where these nerves are housed as well as lack of coordination of these leg muscles. Other symptoms include muscle wasting, pain, and twitching, cramps, and spasms in these nerves. Treatment focuses on isolating the underlying cause of the nerve disorder and addressing it using medications such as injected glucocorticoids and/or physical

10. Ankylosing spondylitis

Ankylosing spondylitis is a type of arthritis that specifically affects the spine. Ankylosing spondylitis causes a severe inflammation of the spinal vertebra that can cause debilitating pain throughout the back region. This condition can cause stiffness and pain not only in the spine but also inflammation, pain and stiffness in the ribs, shoulders, ribcage, hands, and feet as well. Symptoms include a dull pain in the lower back and buttocks, stiffness and lack of mobility in the hips, back, and legs, loss of appetite, fever, and general malaise. Treatment includes physical therapy, medication, hot and cold therapy, and exercises that reinforce good posture practices.

11. Greater trochanteric bursitis

Trochanteric bursitis is a condition which causes pain in the hip region. Trochanteric bursitis is inflammation of the bursa at the outside area of the hip, which is called the greater trochanter region. When this bursa becomes irritated or inflamed, it causes severe pain in the hip area. Treatment may include stretches for hip pain, NSAIDs and anti-inflammatory medications, opiate pain medications, and physical therapy.

12. Greater trochanteric pain syndrome

Greater trochanteric pain syndrome describes pain that is felt along the outer hip area. Causes include sports injury, muscle tears, and injury due to motor vehicle accidents. The pain is caused by a combination of inflammation in two distinct areas: the bursa of the hip and pain in the buttock (gluteal muscles). Pain may also be caused by tendinitis of the hip abductor muscles. Symptoms of greater trochanteric pain syndrome include hip pain at night lying on side, dislocated hip symptoms, and hip muscle weakness. Hip pain relief can be sought through anti-inflammatory medications, physical therapy, and stretches for hip pain.

13. Ischiofemoral impingement

Ischiofemoral Impingement is a common but widely unrecognized cause of hip and back pain. It is caused by a narrowing of the space between the pelvic bone and femur bone, which pinches soft tissues between these boney protrusions. Symptoms of ischiofemoral impingement include front hip pain or feeling of stretched muscles in the hip or hip tendonitis, pain in the hip socket, hip pain at night lying on side, and a feeling as if there is a hip out of place. Treatment for ischiofemoral impingement includes rest, anti-inflammatory drugs, NSAIDs, such as ibuprofen, and physical therapy aimed at strengthening the gluteal muscles so the patient can better control the pelvis.

14. Sacroiliac joint dysfunction

The sacroiliac joint connects the lower spine to the pelvis and any injury or strain to this area can cause a lot of back, hip, groin, and sciatic pain. Sacroiliac joint dysfunction (SJD) can cause not only radiating lower back pain but can also severe pain in the hip area including hip pain at night when sleeping and hip pain when sitting. Often the pain resembles that of a hip injury it is so severe. SJD can also cause severe pain in the groin area. Women may also notice pain running along the distribution of the sciatic nerve. Treatment for sacroiliac joint dysfunction includes rest, anti-inflammatory drugs, and sciatic nerve massage.

Medium risk causes of radiating lower back or hip pain

May require a visit to your doctor or hospitalization. Prescription medication may be necessary.

15. Herniated disc

A herniated disc in the back cancause sciatic like symptoms of pain that radiates from the lower back and down into the legs and calves. It can also cause pain in the butt and tail of the spine and can cause pain running down the legs and numbness in one leg. Typical symptoms include feelings of muscle weakness in the legs, sciatic nerve pain, pain in the back leg muscles, tingling in the nerves of the leg, and pain behind the knees. Treatments include ice and heat therapy, anti-inflammatory drugs, pain medications, exercise, physical therapy, steroids to decrease inflammation, and sometimes surgery.

16. Vertebral compression fracture

A vertebral compression fracture in the spine occurs when one or more vertebra become smashed or compressed. This injury is typical in individuals with osteoporosis and the elderly and can be caused by severe trauma to the back as well, such as in a car accident or following a fall. Symptoms include a sudden popping sound in the back and pain in the back. Treatment may include rest, wearing a back brace, or procedures such as vertebroplasty.

17. Ischial apophysis avulsion

An ischial apophysis avulsion is an injury to the sitting bone where the hamstring muscle meets the bony protrusion of the sitting bone or ischial tuberosity. An avulsion is an injury in which movement or injury results in a violent and sudden contraction of the hamstring which pulls a piece of the sitting bone with it. This injury typically affects young athletes, aged 13 to 25 years. Symptoms include ischial tuberosity pain, swelling and pain in the thigh area, muscle spasms, and muscle weakness in the legs. To heal the injury, extended rest and massage are typically in order as well as stretching exercises and gait work.

18. Gluteal muscle tear or avulsion

The gluteus medius is a muscle that sits on the outside of the hip area. This muscle is used for standing upright and walking. When injured, these muscles will cause a limp. If these muscles are torn, it can cause severe pain when walking, sitting, or sleeping. Treatment usually involves rest, physical therapy, and sometimes surgery to repair the torn muscle, if no other treatments bring relief from pain.

19. Iliac crest apophysis avulsion

Avulsion fractures of the apophyses of the pelvis are rare injuries. This injury occurs mainly in young persons, between the ages of 8 and 14, before they’ve fully grown. That is because fusion of these bones does not occur until between the ages of 15 and 17 years. The cause is typically a contraction of muscles during extreme sports activity. Treatment includes rest and physical therapy as well as pain medications.

Medium-high risk causes of radiating lower back or hip pain

20. Spinal epidural abscess

The space between the spine and the skin that can become infected by bacteria on rare occasions, causing a spinal epidural. This leads to the accumulation of pus in the spine that can put pressure on nerves and bones, causing great pain. A spinal epidural abscess is a rare but serious condition that can cause spinal pain, radiating lower back pain, and pain that runs down one leg. Spinal epidural abscesses can be caused by a wide range of infections such as skin infections, blood stream infections or urinary tract infections. Spinal epidural abscesses can develop after spinal surgery or epidural catheters used to treat post-operative pain. Symptoms include lower back pain when lying down, radiating back pain, hip pain, tingling in the lower extremities, nausea, fever and vomiting. Treatment includes antibiotics, analgesics, anti-inflammatory drugs, and often drainage and surgery.

21. Discitis

Discitis is an infection in the discs of a spine. Discitis can be caused by bacterial or viral infection. Symptoms include unbearable, severe pain in the back, fever, chills, and unexplained weight loss. Discitis is typically treated with rest, antibiotics, and anti-inflammatory drugs.

22. Malignancy

The most common symptom of a spinal tumor or malignancy is radiating back pain that worsens at night or upon waking. Symptoms include shooting pain that runs down the legs and back and pain when moving. Treatments include chemotherapy and/or surgical removal of the tumor.

High risk causes of radiating lower back or hip pain

Serious and potentially lethal complications possible; emergent intervention needed; Intensive Care Unit (ICU) care often needed.

23. Cauda equina syndrome

Although cauda equine syndrome is a rare condition—it is one that can cause permanent loss of movement in the lower body (paralysis) and permanent incontinence if not caught quickly. Cauda equine affects the leg nerves in such as way as to cause feeling of loss of control of the muscles in the leg. Cauda equina syndrome (Latin for Horses’ Tail syndrome) is a condition caused by compression of the nerves at the base of the spine in the lumbosacral region of the spinal cord.

Cauda equina syndrome can be causes by spinal birth defects in children or, in adults, falls, inflammation, malignant tumors, injuries, or, and this is the most prevalent cause—a ruptured disc in the lumbar region of the spine. Symptoms of cauda equina include radiating pain in the lower back, pain and numbness in the legs and lower back, weakness in the lower body, loss of sexual function, and loss of bladder control. Another prominent symptom is upper leg pain, sharp pain in the thigh, loss of sensation in the upper leg muscles, and inner thigh pain. It is critical to seek immediate medical care and often including a neurosurgery consultation,

24. Kidney disease, Kidney failure, advanced kidney infection

Kidney pain, kidney stones, kidney failure, and advanced kidney infections can cause radiating lower back pain, especially pain that affects the lowest ribs in the back and higher buttock area. Kidney issues can also cause pain in the groin area and difficulty urinating. Groin pain in women, especially pregnant women, is a special concern and the patient should be taken to the ER immediately. If you think a kidney issue is causing your back pain, get to an ER—because once a kidney issue is advanced enough to cause back pain, it is usually quite serious.

Why Does My Hip Hurt? 8 Causes of Hip Pain & Problems: Treatment Options

Written by Stephanie Watson

• Causes of Hip Pain
• Symptoms of Hip Pain
• Hip Pain Relief

The hip joint can withstand repeated motion and a fair amount of wear and tear. This ball-and-socket joint — the body’s largest — fits together in a way that allows for fluid movement.

Whenever you use the hip (for example, by going for a run), a cushion of cartilage helps prevent friction as the hip bone moves in its socket.

Despite its durability, the hip joint isn’t indestructible. With age and use, the cartilage can wear down or become damaged. Muscles and tendons in the hip can get overused. Bones in the hip can break during a fall or other injury. Any of these conditions can lead to hip pain.

If your hips are sore, here is a rundown of what might be causing your discomfort and how to get hip pain relief.

These are some of the conditions that commonly cause hip pain:

Arthritis. Osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis are among the most common causes of hip pain, especially in older adults. Arthritis leads to inflammation of the hip joint and the breakdown of the cartilage that cushions your hip bones. The pain gradually gets worse. People with arthritis also feel stiffness and have reduced range of motion in the hip. Learn more about hip osteoarthritis.

Hip fractures. With age, the bones can become weak and brittle. Weakened bones are more likely to break during a fall. Learn more about hip fracture symptoms.

Bursitis. Bursae are sacs of liquid found between tissues such as bone, muscles, and tendons. They ease the friction from these tissues rubbing together. When bursae get inflamed, they can cause pain. Inflammation of bursae is usually due to repetitive activities that overwork or irritate the hip joint. Learn more about bursitis of the hip.

Tendinitis. Tendons are the thick bands of tissue that attach bones to muscles. Tendinitis is inflammation or irritation of the tendons. It’s usually caused by repetitive stress from overuse. Learn more about tendinitis symptoms.

Muscle or tendon strain. Repeated activities can put strain on the muscles, tendons, and ligaments that support the hips. When they become inflamed due to overuse, they can cause pain and prevent the hip from working normally. Learn about the best stretches for tight hip muscles.

Hip labral tear. This is a rip in the ring of cartilage (called the labrum) that follows the outside rim of the socket of your hip joint. Along with cushioning your hip joint, your labrum acts like a rubber seal or gasket to help hold the ball at the top of your thighbone securely within your hip socket. Athletes and people who perform repetitive twisting movements are at higher risk of developing this problem. Learn more about hip labral tears.

Cancers. Tumors that start in the bone or that spread to the bone can cause pain in the hips, as well as in other bones of the body. Learn more about bone tumors​​​​​​​.

Avascular necrosis (also called osteonecrosis). This condition happens when blood flow to the hip bone slows and the bone tissue dies. Although it can affect other bones, avascular necrosis most often happens in the hip. It can be caused by a hip fracture or dislocation, or from the long-term use of high-dose steroids (such as prednisone), among other causes.

Depending on the condition that’s causing your hip pain, you might feel the discomfort in your:

• Thigh
• Inside of the hip joint
• Groin
• Outside of the hip joint
• Buttocks

Sometimes pain from other areas of the body, such as the back or groin (from a hernia), can radiate to the hip.

You might notice that your pain gets worse with activity, especially if it’s caused by arthritis. Along with the pain, you might have reduced range of motion. Some people develop a limp from persistent hip pain.

If your hip pain is caused by a muscle or tendon strain, osteoarthritis, or tendinitis, you can usually relieve it with an over-the-counter pain medication such as acetaminophen or a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug such as ibuprofen or naproxen.

Rheumatoid arthritis treatments also include prescription anti-inflammatory medications such as corticosteroids, disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs) like methotrexate and sulfasalazine, and biologics, which target the immune system.

Another way to relieve hip pain is by holding ice to the area for about 15 minutes a few times a day. Try to rest the affected joint as much as possible until you feel better. You may also try heating the area. A warm bath or shower can help ready your muscle for stretching exercises that can lessen pain.

If you have arthritis, exercising the hip joint with low-impact exercises, stretching, and resistance training can reduce pain and improve joint mobility. For example, swimming is a good non-impact exercise for arthritis. Physical therapy can also help increase your range of motion.

When osteoarthritis becomes so severe that the pain is intense or the hip joint becomes deformed, a total hip replacement (arthroplasty) may be a consideration. People who fracture their hip sometimes need surgery to fix the fracture or replace the hip.

Call your health care provider if your pain doesn’t go away, or if you notice swelling, redness, or warmth around the joint. Also call if you have hip pain at night or when you are resting.

Get medical help right away if:

• The hip pain came on suddenly.
• A fall or other injury triggered the hip pain.
• Your joint looks deformed or is bleeding.
• You heard a popping noise in the joint when you injured it.
• The pain is intense.
• You can’t put any weight on your hip.
• You can’t move your leg or hip.

Top Picks

sharp, aching, on walking, after running and sitting

The hip joint is one of the largest in the human body. It connects the head of the femur to the acetabulum of the pelvic bone, helps in performing complex leg movements, and provides the function of upright walking. Many people complain that they feel pain in the thigh, which radiates to the joint, groin, buttocks, has an aching or dull character. These symptoms should not be ignored: if your leg hurts in the thigh, the best thing to do is to seek help from a specialist. In this area, important blood vessels and nerve endings are localized, which may be involved in the pathological process.

Pain in the hip joint

1. Classification
   1. Acute pain in the hip joint
   2. Chronic aching pain in the hip joint
   3. Local and radiating pain
2. Causes of pain in the hip joint
3. How to understand what exactly hurts the hip joint
4. How to get rid of hip pain
   1. Which doctor to go to when your hip hurts
   2. Diagnostics
   3. Treatment Methods
   4. Conservative therapy
   5. Surgery

Classification

Pain in the hip joint can have a different character – acute, local, aching chronic. Often there is a pain syndrome radiating to the groin or buttocks. Causes of pain – injuries and diseases, including coxarthrosis, aseptic necrosis, osteoarthritis, lesions of the ligamentous apparatus, pathologies of the lumbar spine, etc.

Acute pain in the hip joint

Acute pain in the hip joints is predominantly short-term, characteristic of damage or rapidly developing diseases. Often it becomes the reason for seeking medical help. If therapy is not started in a timely manner, the pain spreads further and loses its pronounced localization.

Chronic aching pain in the hip joint

Aching pain may accompany an acute pain syndrome or be an independent phenomenon. Often it is characterized by an increasing amplitude, disappearing for a while. As a rule, such pain increases with physical activity, for example, when playing sports, running, long walking.

Over time, it becomes more difficult to move the limb, the range of motion is limited. In especially advanced cases, lameness may develop. Unfortunately, many people prefer to endure chronic aching pain and try to self-medicate. Remember, the best thing you can do to regain your health and freedom of movement is to make an appointment with a specialist.

Local and radiating pain

If a person has pain in the hip joint, it is often accompanied by irradiation, including to the knee joint, inguinal region. A similar pain syndrome can noticeably increase if you lean on an injured limb. Often radiating pain develops with osteoarthritis.

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Causes of pain in the hip joint

Pain in the hip joint can be triggered by various factors and pathologies. We list the main ones:

• Bursitis (inflammation of the articular bag). May be chronic or acute. It is characterized by severe pain in the affected joint, which does not recede even in the supine position.
• Coxarthrosis. It is provoked by a violation of metabolic processes in cartilage, which provokes their death. With this pathology, the pain syndrome is felt not only in the region of the femoral joint, but also in the lower back.
• Arthritis. This is an inflammatory process that occurs due to a malfunction in the process of the immune system. It is characterized by swelling of the affected area, fever, a problem with motor function.
• Tendinitis is a disease of the tendons that causes pain on movement, as well as articular “clicking”, a change in gait.
• Osteochondropathy, including Legg-Calve-Perthes disease, characteristic of young patients. The pain syndrome increases gradually and provokes lameness.

Important!

The diseases listed above are far from the only causes of pain in the hip joint. Pain syndrome can provoke injuries, benign or malignant neoplasms. Infections should not be ruled out – aseptic necrosis of the femoral head, purulent or tuberculous arthritis.

How to understand that it is the hip joint that hurts

How to understand that the hip joints hurt? Most often, the pain syndrome localized in the thigh does not go away after a few days, you feel constant discomfort and even wake up from it at night. Many patients complain that they are forced to constantly change their position if they are lying or sitting.

Other signs that indicate the possibility of this problem:

• Pain in the groin. It has a pulsating character.
• Dull or throbbing pain in the lower back.
• Pain in the thigh, which radiates to the groin, knee. Often accompanied by weakness or itching in the affected limb.
• Limited mobility of the upper limb. As a rule, it indicates that rheumatoid arthritis is developing.
• Lameness due to pain. If you have developed such a condition, immediately seek medical help, because trying to reduce pain, you instinctively hold the diseased joint above the other, resulting in a habit that negatively affects the entire musculoskeletal system.

Important!

An important sign that may indicate the pathology of the hip joint is a characteristic crunch that occurs in motion. If it is accompanied by an increasing pain syndrome, this indicates the presence of pathological changes.

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How to get rid of pain in the hip joint

No matter what the cause of the pain in the hip joint, self-medicate and hope that the problem will disappear on its own. It is necessary to seek help from a qualified traumatologist who will determine the cause of the pain and prescribe conservative or surgical treatment.

Which doctor to go to when the hip hurts

An orthopedic traumatologist specializes in the treatment of pathologies associated with the hip. The Garvis Clinic employs experienced professionals who have extensive positive experience in treating patients suffering from hip pain of various etiologies. They offer only modern diagnostic and treatment methods that will restore your freedom of movement quickly and with minimal trauma.

Diagnostics

What should be done if the hip joint hurts? First of all, undergo a thorough diagnosis and determine the cause of the disease. Most often, the specialist prescribes the following examinations:

• radiography of the hip joint;
• CT/MRI of the joint and femur;
• X-ray of the spine;
• laboratory tests.

Methods of treatment

Methods that help relieve pain can be divided into conservative and surgical. They are united by the fact that they are aimed not only at treating pain, but also at eliminating the main cause of the pathology. Also, therapeutic exercises, manual therapy, physiotherapy, physiotherapy exercises have proven themselves well.

Conservative therapy

Conservative therapy includes pain relief, which is selected for each patient individually. First of all, we are talking about a therapeutic blockade that relieves pain and promotes muscle relaxation, normalization of blood flow.

Also effective:

• Physiotherapy aimed at restoring muscles, normalizing blood circulation and completely eliminating pain.
• Therapeutic exercise, which strengthens the muscular-ligamentous structures, prevents the occurrence of discomfort in the limb in the future.
• Massage and manual therapy – have a beneficial effect on the general condition of the tissues.

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Surgery

One of the most effective surgical methods that allows you to cope with various hip pathologies is hip arthroscopy. This is a low-traumatic surgical intervention that allows you to accurately determine the main focus of the pathology and get rid of such diseases and injuries:

• synovitis;
• osteoarthritis;
• arthritis;
• neurosis of the femoral head;
• snap joint;
• injuries and complications after previous operations.

The undoubted advantages of the procedure include a quick rehabilitation period, minimal tissue injury, and the absence of severe pain during rehabilitation.

If you are experiencing hip pain, this is a good reason to make an appointment with a specialist and deal with the disease early. Unfortunately, in advanced cases, conservative therapy and arthroscopy may not give the desired result and you will have to perform a joint prosthesis. The doctors of the Garvis clinic are experienced orthopedic traumatologists who will help you return to a healthy life as quickly as possible. Make an appointment by calling the phone number listed on the website. We wish you good health!

Pain in the thigh closer to the groin

Make an appointment with a therapist and find out the causes of pain in the leg

Pakhomova Irina Alexandrovna

Therapist, cardiologist, general practitioner

17 years Medical experience
and work experienceHigh level specialist

B price includes appointment, examination, doctor’s consultation and treatment appointment

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Causes of pain

Pain between the leg and groin can have different causes. Discomfort in this area occurs genetically, after physical exertion, after injuries. Pain in the thigh indicates a pathology in the internal organs and requires special attention from a medical specialist. Unpleasant sensations have a different nature, duration and intensity, however, even with the slightest discomfort, you should contact the clinic

Nature of pain

Pain between the leg and groin come on suddenly, have a sharp dagger character, stop after a few minutes and soon increase again. Unpleasant sensations appear in the upper thigh, give to the groin. The patient’s malaise is associated with anatomical or physiological changes in the internal organs

We will help you!

In the clinic “KDS Clinic” in the shortest possible time, specialists will find out the cause of your ailment and attribute an effective affordable treatment. You should not run health to a critical state, since then it will be much more difficult to cure the disease

Causes of pain in the groin

Why does pain in the right groin radiate to the leg? What treatment will be effective, and which specialist should I contact? Many factors could have contributed to the onset of pain. Among them:

1. Joint injury

   Pain in the right groin radiates to the leg after injury. Damage to the joints is accompanied by cutting pain, which is aggravated by movement, by turning the body, and strongly radiates to the leg. Most often, these symptoms appear in athletes. After heavy physical exertion, muscles and joints are injured, loosened and require long-term treatment. Also associated with this problem are people who work physically. For example, builders.

2. Hip injury

   The leg hurts in the right groin when falling. In some cases, the injury develops after a sharp and incorrect turn. Also, the femoral neck is damaged in old age. The musculoskeletal system becomes less elastic, the bones are no longer so strong. With menopause, which appears in women after forty-five years, osteoporosis develops in the body. The development of the disease is caused by hormonal changes.

3. Infectious diseases

   In infectious diseases, leg pain from the groin to the knee is one of the main symptoms. The immune system is significantly weakened, the patient has beriberi, and therefore the joints and bones become fragile, often damaged by infection in the body. Infectious diseases often include endocrinopathy, osteomyelitis, and others.

4. Arthritis and arthrosis

   Unpleasant pulling pain appears with the development of arthritis and arthrosis. The pain syndrome is especially enhanced when moving, turning and squatting. After several hours of walking, the patient feels severe fatigue, discomfort in the pelvis, which radiate to the groin. The pain manifests itself at any time of the day and intensifies in the absence of treatment and diagnosis.

5. Inflammatory process in the hip joint

   An inflammatory process in the hip joint causes pain in the groin when walking. The patient also has accompanying symptoms. Among them are fever, weakness, redness of the skin and dizziness.

6. Injury of the first lumbar vertebral disc

   After a fall or accident, the patient has an injury to the first lumbar vertebral disc, which leads to severe cutting pains. They are eliminated with the help of painkillers.

7. Coxarthrosis

   In case of coxarthrosis, the patient suffers from severe pain in the hip area. It manifests itself with an increase and intensifies with physical exertion. In some cases, painkillers are needed to relieve pain.

8. Injury to the sacrum

   In case of damage to the sacrum, pain in the leg in the groin on the right disturbs the patient for several weeks. You need to see a doctor as soon as possible, take a picture and do not self-medicate.

9. Fluid in the joints

   After an injury, fluid builds up in the joints, which causes pain. In critical cases, the liquid is sucked out to prevent the development of the disease.

10. Hip stretch

    Athletes are characterized by muscle strain, so you should be especially careful with such symptoms in order to prevent the development of the disease.

11. Bursitis

    With bursitis, a person suffers from severe pain that is aggravated by movement. After a long activity, discomfort appears even in a sitting and lying state.

12. Vascular problems

    In some cases, pain in the groin when lifting the leg disturbs the patient with problems with the vessels. We are talking about arterial thrombosis in the thigh and groin.

13. Bruises of the pelvic bones

    When the bones of the pelvis are injured, the leg hurts from the groin to the knee.

14. Articular tissue deformity

If the pain in the pelvis that radiates to the groin does not stop after a few days, you should definitely consult a doctor. In the absence of effective treatment, the disease will develop and negatively affect neighboring organs.

Diagnosis of pain in the leg closer to the groin

Joint pain cannot be ignored. Any discomfort indicates a violation of the functionality of the body and the pathology of internal organs. Contact KDS Clinic. Experienced professionals will help you at any time.