"My Hip Hurts!" Is the problem from the hip, or somewhere else?

Pain in and around the hip is quite common. You may have heard about hip bursitis, piriformis syndrome, tight IT band, tight hamstring, sacroiliac joint, osteoarthritis. All of these diagnoses, and more, can cause significant pain and dysfunction around the hip. However, not all symptoms in the hip are actually coming from the structures of the hip. "Well, if it is not from the hip, what is it?", you ask.

This region is a very common place for pain and symptoms to be referred from somewhere else, especially the low back. If nerve roots in the lumbar spine are pinched and squeezed they can get irritated and cause symptoms of pain, numbness, tingling, etc., to radiate from the back and into any area of the hip and leg. Nerve pain can feel like many different things such as a tight muscle, a bruise, electricity, and more. Therefore, before we start a treatment program, we need to do our best to properly diagnose the problem.

You and your physician will work together to reach that diagnosis. It will include a physical exam and may include imaging such as X-rays, Ultrasound, and MRI. Symptoms may be coming from one, or multiple, sources. The most important thing is getting an appropriate evaluation to get to the right diagnosis and then develop the appropriate treatment program. That may include physical therapy, medications, image guided injection procedures, or possibly surgery.

If you have a pain in the hip, come see us. We look forward to working with you to get you back doing the things you want to do!