Dr. Stefano Sinicropi, M.D.

Your spine and your hip joints lie in close proximity to one another, and oftentimes a problem with one area spurs pain in the other. Along that same thought, if you ignore one area when trying to treat a problem in another, you may not achieve full relief. In today’s blog, we take a closer look at four reasons why you may be experiencing pain in your back and hip at the same time, and how to treat the issues.

Common Causes Of Spine And Hip Pain

Here’s a look at four conditions that could be contributing to localized spine and hip pain, and some generalized treatment advice. For best results, consult a spine specialist like Dr. Sinicropi in your area.

1. Herniated Disc – A herniated disc occurs when a spinal disc shifts out of its natural position and impacts nearby spinal nerves. When a nerve in the area is compressed, it can cause symptoms of pain, numbness, a tingling sensation or it can affect your gait. Hip pain and discomfort is common when this disc shift occurs in the lumbar spine, as symptoms can spread from your lower back to your hip. Posture changes, physical therapy and anti-inflammatory medications can help you get control over the situation, but if that fails, a decompression operation may be required.
2. Pinched Nerve – Similarly, a pinched nerve in the lower back or hip area can trigger pain sensations in the area. A nerve can be damaged as a result of acute injury, localized inflammation, or as we mentioned above, a shifted spinal disc. If you’re noticing shooting pain, or certain movements trigger an intense pain sensation, it’s likely caused by a nerve issue that is best addressed by a spine specialist. Again, conservative care is typically successful in treating the nerve issue, but if it doesn’t, surgery may prove helpful.
3. SI Joint Dysfunction – The SI joint connects the lower portion of your spine to your pelvis, and it helps absorb some of the shock the area experiences during movement. Acute injury or prolonged overuse of the joint can lead to physical dysfunction and radiating discomfort. Physical therapy and controlled exercise to foster healthy movement in the joint can help to strengthen and stabilize the joint, treating symptoms in both the spine and hip.
4. Spinal Osteoarthritis – Finally, spinal osteoarthritis is an inflammatory condition that can impact different levels of your spine. This can lead to the breakdown of healthy cartilage in your spine, which in turn increases your likelihood that the spinal bones can shift or come in contact with nearby nerves. Even if nerves aren’t affected, this cartilage breakdown can lead us to become more protective in our movement patterns, and oftentimes this leads to shifting stress from our spine onto nearby structures like our hips. As your hips absorb more pressure because of your spinal arthritis, they too can begin to experience symptoms. Weight loss, exercise, dietary improvements and anti-inflammatory medications are all helpful conservative methods to prevent continued onset and provide symptom relief.

If you are dealing with lower back and hip pain, reach out to Dr. Sinicropi for a diagnosis and a comprehensive treatment plan. We can help treat both areas so that pain does not return. For more information, contact his office today at (651) 430-3800.

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