Hip pain caused by herniated or ruptured disc
Lower back pain, which is often referred to as debilitating disorder, is something many adults experience. However, it is not always possible to pinpoint the exact cause. It can cause hip pain and other symptoms.
How can one tell the difference between pain in your hips, lumbar disc damage and pain in your lumbar spine? There are three main signs you should look out for in a hip problem: persistent groin discomfort, stiffness in your hips and discomfort that radiates down into your legs. A herniated spinal disc, on the other hand, can cause low back discomfort and a stabbing pain that extends from your buttocks, legs and feet.
Are My Back and Hip Pains Related?
If you have hip pain or back pain, you may also experience lower back and groin pains, groin pains, pain in your buttocks, and occasionally knee pain. This is why the term “hip spine syndrome” was invented to describe those who experience pain in these parts. Sometimes, however, it can be more difficult to identify the source of pain as the pain may vary in the area.
Visit your doctor or specialist to determine the cause(s) of pain. Your medical history and a complete physical are reviewed by your doctor to help them diagnose. Diagnostics may indicate that your back and hip pain may be interrelated. You could have pain in your back, hip, or spine. Here’s a look at some of the more common issues that cause pain in the spine, including back pain and hip pain.
Pinched Nerve and Herniated Disc Can Cause Back and Hip Pain
The outer layer between the spinal vertebrae may become thinner over time, which can cause the material to “leak” into the spinal canal. This is called a herniated disc. A herniated or bulging disc causes pain by putting pressure on the spine’s nerves. This is possible because pain can also radiate to other parts of the body from nerves located within the spinal cord.
Between the pelvis’ ribs, is the lumbar section of the spine. These five nerves are responsible for the communication between the brain and the legs, ankles, feet, and lower legs. They also control the abdominal and lumbar muscles. If there is a herniated disc in the lumbar area of the spine, pressure can cause shooting pain down the legs.
Spinal Stenosis & Hip Pain
In that pain is caused by nerve pressure, spinal stenosis looks similar to herniated discs. Not a herniated, but narrowing of the spine canal causes spinal stenosis. Cysts as well as bulging discs and arthritis are some of the most common causes of narrowing.
Although spinal stenosis may not have the same root cause as herniated dis, the symptoms that result may be similar. Both conditions can cause nerve pressure, which can lead in one way or another to pain in either the back or hips.
Arthritis or Hip Pain
Spinal Osteoarthritis, also known as degenerative arthritis, is a form of spinal osteoarthritis. Osteoarthritis means that the cartilage between the joints starts to wear down or becomes less durable. This extra wear and tear can cause pain, bone spurs and inflammation as the cartilage becomes stiffer.
Spinal Osteoarthritis (or lower back osteoarthritis) is a condition that causes the cartilages and discs to become degenerated and cease performing their role of cushioning the joints. This can lead to joint degeneration, increased pressure, and pain.
The difference between Hip Pain and Herniated Disc Pain
Look at the lower back anatomy to see how the lumbar spinal column is directly connected to the hip. If one of the structures in the Lumbar Spine is damaged or infected, you may experience discomfort or abnormalities in your hip movements. In addition to traumatizing accidents, lower back pain and hip pain can also result from natural degeneration in the joints and spine structures. There are many signs of degenerative changes in the spine. Disc herniation, one of these early signs, is one example.
Signs that your Pain is Caused by a Herniated Disc
Your lower back is made up of different bones that are stacked one above the other and protected between them by spinal discs. The intervertebral distal disc is made up of an outer cartilage (“annulus fibrosus”) and an inner nucleus (“nucleus pulposus”) that cushions and absorbs shocks to prevent pressure and damage to the spinal cord.
As you age, your disc material will begin to degenerate and may bulge or herniation into the spinal channel. A herniated, bulging disc can result in irritation or compression of nerves within the spinal column. If this happens, it can cause pain in the disc that feels similar to:
- Sharp or burning pain radiating from your buttocks, legs, and feet
- Tenseness or weakness in the affected spinal nerve muscles
- Pain that restricts mobility or limits flexibility
- You may feel worse if you’re standing, sitting, or moving.
- Hip Joint Pain
Other conditions which may lead to low back or hip pain
Other than a herniated/slipped spine, there are also other spinal disorders that may cause pain in your lower back and hips. These conditions can result from injuries, accidents and natural aging.
Spinal Stenosis
This condition is caused by narrowing the spinal canal, which can result in damage to nerves running between the spinal cord and the brain. This disorder could be caused by many factors including bone spurs, herniated or fracture discs, and other conditions. Congenital stenosis, which is a smaller spine canal, can be a risk factor for people who are born with this condition.
Pinched Nerve
A herniated disc can place excessive pressure on surrounding spine structures. This can cause a pinched nervous system. If a nerve in your lumbar spine is pinched, it can cause mild to severe low back pain, muscle spasms or numbness in your lower body.
Sciatica
This condition affects the sciatica, which runs from the lower part of the back through the hips, buttocks, and legs. It is most common when a herniated spinal disc presses on the sciatic nerve root. This can lead to muscle weakness, low back and leg discomfort. Sciatic nerve pain sometimes can be felt in the thighs, and even down to your calves.
Degenerative disc Disease
When one or more of the spinal discs begins to degrade and cause pain throughout your lower body, this is called a spinal disorder. It is usually an older condition.
Piriformis Syndrome
This occurs when the piriformis, which is located at top of the hip joint and irritates nearby sciatica nerves, causes the condition. It can lead to pain on one side and may affect your ability to move and do other activities. It can also cause referred pain to the buttocks/thighs/legs.
How the Hip Joints Pain Feel
Although the hips may be close to lower back structures, they’re not necessarily a part. They’re made up of their own separate components. The hip joint is composed of the femur and pelvic bone, muscles, articular and ligament cartilage, synovial fluid and muscles. Hip pain is most commonly felt in the groin. Referred knee pain may also be a result. Hip pain can restrict your hip movement. You might feel stiff, or have difficulty walking.
Common Causes for Hip Pain
While lumbar herniated dislocations can cause pain in one’s hip joint, this is not always the main reason. Other conditions that can lead to pain in the hips include:
Osteoarthritis
This is a kind of arthritis that occurs when the natural cartilages within the joints start to degrade. It affects the hips and hips most often. This causes hip pain, joint stiffness and reduced range motion.
Hip dysplasia
This is a hip disorder that occurs when one or more sockets of your pelvis don’t fit into the thigh bone. This can lead a person to limp and experience joint instability.
Sacroiliac joint dysfunction
The sacroiliac joints, also known as the SI joint, are responsible for connecting your lower back to your pelvis. The SI joint can also cause injury or pain to the lower spine, hip, or leg.
How Doctors Can Identify the Source of Your Pain
The only way to diagnose chronic pain in your spine or lower body is to see a doctor. There are many causes. To determine your exact condition, they will likely perform a series of physical and medical exams. They might do:
- X-rays are used to identify problems in hip joints, tissues and ligaments.
- Magnetic resonance imaging. This medical exam uses radio waves and a magnetic force to produce visual images. These tests can be used by your doctor to determine whether or not you have a damaged hip joint or a bulging disc.
- Computed Tomography (CT-scan). This X-ray test takes detailed images and traces the structure of your spinal column. This can determine if you have suffered a hip injury or damage your spinal discs.
- Myelograms are a method by which your doctor can assess your spine. This involves injecting a contrast dye that will show if the spine is under pressure.
Common Treatment Options: Hip and Herniated Disc Symptoms
It’s difficult to live with painful hip or herniated-disc pain. There are options for pain relief that you can use to prevent your symptoms getting worse. Here are some possible options that a doctor might recommend for you.
- Medications These medications can help relieve pain and inflammation and reduce tension due to muscle strain or sprain.
- Steroid injections. An epidural steroid injectable can help with swelling of the hip joints or relief from bulging or ruptured disc symptoms. Its effects usually last between 3 and 6 weeks.
- Physical therapy. You’ll do exercises and movements that help restore mobility and function to the affected joints. It can also decrease the severity and frequency of your hip pains and herniated-disc symptoms.
- Surgery: Not everyone needs surgery. But, it might be necessary for those suffering from worsening hip pains and herniated or bulging discs. In such cases, the doctor may recommend surgery to remove or fix the herniated disc. They may also recommend artificial or hip disc replacement.
The hip is the usual suspect
Surprisingly, hip pain can lead to groin problems. Because the actual hip joint lies near the spine.
“Groin problems are a hip issue unless proven otherwise.”
“Pain above and below the beltline does not make you a hipster.”
Osteoarthritis in the hip joint is the most common cause. If the following conditions are present, you may have hip arthritis
- Your groin is the place where you feel pain.
- There are times when discomfort is more common than others.
- Pain is worsened when you stand, walk, or do any other activity. Rest helps.
- You feel stiff.
- You walk with a limp.
Avascular Necrosis, also known simply as AVN or Avascular Vascular Necrosis, is a serious condition characterized in the destruction of the hip bone. The pain is generally worse and much more consistent than with osteoarthritis. “People come up to me saying that my hip is hurting them.”
When the spine is the most likely culprit
A herniated spinal disc presses on the spinal cord, leading to most lower back problems. This can cause sciatica (a type of pain that is felt in the lower back and hip) If you are experiencing pain, you might have a herniated spinal disc.
- It’s not restricted to your back, buttocks, hips or hips.
- Shoot down your leg.
- Sitting or bending can cause problems.
- Steadiness improves while standing or walking.
Consult your doctor if night sweats, a history with cancer, or pain not alleviated by lying down (night pain) are symptoms.
These are the best ways to alleviate hip pain:
- Visit your primary physician. For hip pain relief, your doctor may prescribe nonsteroidal antibiotics (NSAIDs).
- Lose weight. To relieve hip pain, it is important to shed extra weight. “Losing weight will often reduce your symptoms to the extent that surgery is not necessary,” “It will also increase your chances for a successful outcome if you do need surgery.”
These are the best options to help with back pain:
- Visit your doctor regularly and remain active. He or she might prescribe NSAIDs for up to two weeks. Keep active. “Activity can be and should be continued. Long-term bed rest (more that 24 to 48 hrs) is a bad idea.
- If you still have pain after 2 weeks, it is time to schedule physical therapy. If you feel still in pain after two weeks, a physical therapist may be able to help you strengthen your spine with back-friendly exercises.
- Lose weight and quit smoking. Your spine will feel relieved when you are at your ideal weight. It is also important to stop using tobacco products. “Nicotine slows microcirculation and your spine will become more degenerate.”
- If it is difficult to pinpoint the cause of your discomfort, consult a hip and/or spine specialist. The specialist may order an injection of lidocaine, or they may perform diagnostic/therapeutic hip injection under fluoroscopy or ultrasound.
