What causes lower back and hip pain?
The lower back, the hip and the sacroiliac joint sit close together and share nerve supply, so pain in one region is very often felt in another. Hip arthritis can ache into the buttock and groin. Sacroiliac joint problems can spread into the hip and thigh. Spinal conditions such as disc degeneration or nerve irritation can refer pain downwards in a similar pattern. Sorting out the true source is the key step, because the right treatment depends on it.
Common symptoms
- Pain over the buttock, low back or outer hip
- Discomfort turning in bed or standing from sitting
- Pain climbing stairs or standing on one leg
- Stiffness after resting
- Aching that shifts between back and hip
- Difficulty putting on socks and shoes, which often points towards the hip
How it is diagnosed
A careful history and examination help separate the hip, the spine and the sacroiliac joint. X-rays and, where needed, an MRI clarify the picture. A guided injection into a specific joint can confirm whether it is truly the source, which then guides focused, effective treatment.
Your treatment options
Physiotherapy
Targeted exercise and activity changes, the starting point for most people.
Joint injections
Guided injections can ease pain and, importantly, confirm the source.
Sacroiliac joint fusion
For confirmed sacroiliac pain that has not settled with simpler care. See Sacroiliac Join Fusion Surgery.
Hip replacement
If the hip is the driver, hip specific options are discussed. See Hip Replacement Surgery.
When should I seek help?
If back and hip pain limits your walking, sleep or work, it is worth a conversation. The most useful early step is simply working out where the pain is coming from, because that is what makes the treatment that follows effective.
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Treatment Options
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