Deciphering your pain: Is the pain in your hip actually coming from your spine?
Is it true that hip pain can actually be a spine problem in disguise?
Yes – It’s not uncommon for nerve compression in the lower back, or lumbar spine, to cause pain that radiates into the hip and leg.
What are the symptoms I should be looking out for?
When a nerve becomes compressed in the lumbar spine, it can cause a variety of symptoms: pain, numbness, tingling or weakness in the leg. Depending on which nerve is compressed, it can affect the hip or different portions of the leg. This pain can vary in intensity and may worsen with certain movements like bending, lifting, twisting, standing and walking.
How can I determine the source of my hip pain?
Determining the source of hip pain typically involves a combination of medical history, a physical exam and diagnostic tests. If indicated, your doctor will order high-quality imaging of your spine, and perhaps your hip. Often this means both X-rays and an MRI. In conjunction with a thorough history and detailed physical exam, those images will help determine the origin of your pain.
If I have these symptoms, will I have to have surgery?
Your referring doctor or spine surgeon will usually start with conservative measures, including anti-inflammatory medications and physical therapy. Injection therapy plays a role for those with continued pain or other symptoms. If conservative measures do not provide long-term relief, your spine surgeon will design the least-invasive procedure to treat your problem.
How can I help reduce the risk of spine problems?
To help reduce spine problems and maintain a healthy spine, consider incorporating the following strategies into your lifestyle: practicing good posture, staying active, using proper lifting mechanics, maintaining adequate hydration and daily stretching.
Ultimately, consulting with a qualified spine surgeon is the best way to decipher the source of your hip and leg pain. The experts of Mayfield Brain & Spine are ready to help. Our goal is the same as yours – to help alleviate your pain, build strength and get you back to living an active and healthy life.
Dr. Ryan Godinsky is a fellowship-trained spine surgeon at Mayfield Brain & Spine. He sees patients at Mayfield's new office in Springboro, and he will perform surgeries at the Atrium Medical Center in Middletown and Miami Valley Hospital South in Centerville.
Disclaimer
The information in this Q&A is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, nor is it intended to serve as medical diagnosis or treatment. The information is presented for the sole purpose of disseminating health information. It is not intended and must not be taken to be the provision or practice of medical, nursing, or professional health care advice or services in any jurisdiction. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider if you have questions regarding a medical condition, and always seek the advice of your physician or provider before starting any new treatment. The information about drugs contained in this Q&A is general in nature and is intended for use as an educational aid. It does not cover all possible uses, actions, precautions, side effects, or interactions of these medicines. As such, the information is not intended to serve as medical advice for individual problems or for making an evaluation as to the risks and benefits of taking a particular drug.
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