Hip pain causes significant distress to more than 14% of adults. While it can be a considerable discomfort on its own, it can be even more of a disability if it starts spreading to your lower back.
Our board-certified orthopaedic surgeon, Kevin Park, MD, often sees patients with hip and lower back pain. Many are unsure what’s causing their pain. Is it coming from the hip? The back? Or both?
In this blog, we explain what this type of pain might mean, its causes, and how we help patients find lasting relief.
The hips and lower back share nerves, muscles, and movement patterns, so pain in one spot can often trigger discomfort in the other. That’s why hip pain might travel upward and feel like low back pain and vice versa.
Several different issues can cause hip pain to radiate into the lower back. Some common ones include:
Osteoarthritis in the hip can lead to joint inflammation, stiffness, and pain. Symptoms may radiate to your lower back due to changes in your gait and walking patterns.
If a disc in your lower spine presses on a nerve, it can cause lumbar radiculopathy (pain in the lower back that travels through the hip and down the leg). You may know this condition better as sciatica.
The SI joint attaches the base of your spine to your pelvis. If this joint becomes inflamed or misaligned, pain may develop in both your hip and lower back.
Tight or weak muscles around your hips and spine can pull on joints and nerves, leading to widespread pain and stiffness.
Inflammation of the fluid-filled sacs (bursae) near your hip joint can cause aching or sharp pain that sometimes spreads to your back.
The labrum is a ring of cartilage in a joint that helps maintain its stability. A tear in the hip labrum can cause groin or outer hip pain that may also affect your lower back (particularly during physical activity).
Studies show that hip pain radiating into the lower back affects joint range of motion, muscle strength, walking speed, and patients’ sit-to-stand and stand-to-sit abilities. If you’re dealing with hip pain that spreads to your back, here are some symptoms to watch for:
Symptoms vary depending on the cause of your pain, so it’s vital to get a proper diagnosis.
The right treatment for radiating hip pain depends on its cause. Common options include:
Targeted exercises strengthen muscles, improve balance, and reduce pressure on your joints.
Over-the-counter or prescription drugs help manage swelling and ease pain.
Corticosteroid or numbing injections provide longer-lasting relief when other treatments haven’t worked.
Adjusting how you move, sit, and stand can ease pressure on your hip and spine. Weight loss and low-impact exercise can also be beneficial.
Most people don’t require surgery unless conservative treatments fail to provide relief. In that case, you may benefit from surgical options like:
Dr. Park offers expert care using minimally invasive technologies and the latest evidence-based techniques.
Don’t ignore pain that persists for more than a few days, especially if it interferes with activities like walking, sleeping, or working. If you notice numbness, weakness, or changes in bladder or bowel function, contact us right away. These could be signs of a more serious problem.
We’re here to help you figure out what’s causing your pain and how to treat it effectively. Our goal is to restore movement and improve your quality of life without unnecessary procedures.
Call us today to schedule your personalized hip and lower back pain evaluation or get in touch via the online inquiry form.
