Back pain and hip pain area can be particularly difficult, causing pain when moving, walking, and even sleeping. The sciatic nerve pain is excruciating, causing pain in the buttocks and shooting pain in the foot that begins in the middle of the buttocks and runs down the back of the leg down to the ankle.
Because the hips and lower back are so close together, it is easy to underestimate the pain of back pain. Regardless of the nature, most lower back and hip pain share a common cause: normal body wear due to aging or aggravated injuries.
One of the biggest signs that your pain is caused by a hip problem is the presence of groin pain. Your hip joint is behind the groin, which is why groin pain usually means the hips are the main source of pain. In some cases, this groin pain will go down to your knee.
Your lower back and hips are interdependent structures. Problems in one of these structures can lead to dysfunction and pain in the other.
- If you have chronic lower back pain, movement in your hips may be reduced and the muscles around your hip joint may become uncomfortable and painful.
- If there is an abnormality in the functioning of your hips, the mechanics of your lower back can be altered, causing pain in both areas.
The lower back and hip share many muscle groups. When a specific muscle is affected, it can cause compensatory movements, fatigue, and pain in other surrounding muscles.
Is radiating lower back and hip pain dangerous?
Most back pain has no side effects caused by sleep deprivation, strained muscles, overwork, prolonged sitting or falling on the ischial tubes, or minor hip injuries caused by twisting in certain ways during sports such as volleyball. Many injuries only occur due to improper form during exercise, sports injuries, or problems.
But there are other major causes of back and hip pain as well. Lower back pain, in particular, can be a sign of a serious condition such as a kidney infection or a condition called interstitial cystitis, which can lead to inflammation of the bladder tissues.
Symptoms of lower back pain on left side above hip
One of the biggest signs that your pain is caused by a hip problem is the presence of groin pain. Your hip joint is behind the groin, which is why groin pain usually means the hips are the main source of pain. In some cases, this groin pain will go down to your knee.
Another obvious sign that your hips are the source of your pain is pain near or over the hip joint. However, hip problems can also refer to pain in your lower back, contributing to confusion over where the real source of pain is.
Hip-related pain is often caused by osteoarthritis in the hip. In addition to groin pain, people who have osteoarthritis in the hip joint often report pain in their buttocks, front of thighs and knees. They may also feel dizzy as they walk and report a decrease in the speed of their hips, pain that increases when they work out and get better at rest, and discomfort that starts frequently but becomes more common.
Although osteoarthritis is the most common cause, hip pain can also be due to piriformis disease, vascular necrosis of the hip or dysfunction of the sacroiliac joints.
- Piriformis syndrome causes severe, intense pain in the lower back and buttocks and can cause lower back pain- or sciatica.
- On the other hand, hip pain associated with avascular necrosis is severe and recurrent.
- Pain in the sacroiliac joints can be associated with the hips and lower back, as the sacroiliac joints connect the sacral to the spine and hip bones.
Other symptoms may include
- The pain may radiate down the front, side, or back of your leg, or it may be confined to the lower back.
- Pain can be exacerbated by activity.
- Occasionally, the pain may worsen at night or with prolonged stay, such as on a long car ride.
- You may have numbness or weakness in the part of the foot that receives its supply of nerves from the compressed nerve.
- This can lead to foot instability. This means that you will not be able to stand on your toes or bring your foot down. This occurs when the first sacral nerve is stressed or injured.
Causes of lower back pain on left side above hip
Common causes of back pain include illness or injury to the muscles, bones or spinal cord. Pain resulting from abnormal joints in the abdomen, pelvis, or chest may also be felt in the back. This is called reversible pain
Spinal stenosis; Lumbar spinal stenosis occurs when the spinal canal in the lower part of your spine narrows, putting pressure on nearby nerve roots. It can be caused by the formation of bone spurs, the thickness of the adjacent ligament or deterioration of the lumbar disc or joint. When the nerve roots are stressed, it can be very painful.
Facet joint damage; The joints that connect the five vertebrae that make up your lower spine, called partial limbs, undergo heavy loads of compression and stress. Over time, a breakdown of cartilage in the joints of your part can lead to lower back pain.
Herniated disc; A herniated lumbar secretion occurs when the inner gel of one of the five discs on your lumbar spine slips or slides over the outer board, allowing this inner gel to compress the surrounding arteries and cause pain. This slipperiness can be caused by trauma or gradual deterioration, related to age.
Scoliosis; Your spine has a natural curve, which takes an ‘S’ shape when viewed from the side and your upper back curves backwards and the lower back curves forward. If your spine bends when viewed from behind, however, it is called scoliosis a spinal deformity that can cause back pain.
Compression fracture; A spinal cord fracture occurs when the vertebra in your spine basically collapses on its own. Often this is due to osteoporosis, but it can also be the result of injuries. This fall can lead to severe pain, and people suffering from a low-pressure fracture often experience sudden pain and low spinal mobility.
Bone Spurs and Arthritis; Facial joints are often where bone spurs occur. This abnormal bone growth can be triggered by arthritis, previous injuries, or other causes. When spurs grow on the joint of the right side, it causes pain on the right side. Other symptoms include leg weakness, numbness, tremors, and electric shocks that strike one leg.
Muscle tension or sprain; Muscle tension or sprain is a common cause of lower back pain. Stress is tearing or stretching in a tendon or muscle, while sprain is tearing or stretching in the ligament. Bruises and bruises usually occur when you twist or lift an improper object, lift a heavy object, or stretch your spinal muscles too much.
Sciatica; Sciatica is a pain caused by scientific nerve compression. This is the nerve that passes through your buttocks and under the back of your leg. Sciatica is usually caused by a herniated disc, bone spur, or spinal stenosis that suppresses part of the sciatic nerve. Sciatica usually affects only one side of the body. It causes lower back pain or burning sensation that comes out from under your foot.
Diagnosis
To diagnose low back pain, the doctor will perform a physical examination first. They will check how well you are moving and if your back has any visible problems. They will then take a medical history. This will address your symptoms, any recent injuries, previous back issues, and the severity of your pain.
Physical examination and medical history are often sufficient for a physician to determine the cause of your pain. However, they may also need to do a photographic examination. Possible tests include:
- X-ray, which can find broken or dislocated bones.
- CT scan, which shows soft tissue such as a disc between the vertebrae and a possible tumor
- myelogram, which uses color to enhance contrast in CT scans or X-rays to help a physician diagnose
- neurological or spinal cord complications.
- nerve conduction test if the doctor suspects neurological problems
- bone scan to see if you have any bone issues
- ultrasound to take a closer look at soft tissue
- blood tests if the doctor suspects an infection
- MRI scan if there are signs of a serious problem
Prevention
Preventing back pain is, in itself, somewhat confusing. It has long been thought that exercise and a healthy lifestyle can prevent back pain. This does not have to be true. In fact, several studies have found that poor type of exercise such as high-impact activities can increase the chances of suffering back pain.
lumbar support belts; Workers who often do heavy lifting work are often required to wear these belts. There is no evidence that these belts prevent spinal cord injury. One study even showed that these belts increased the likelihood of injury.
Position; While standing, place your head up and pull the abdomen inwards. If you have to stand for a long time, you should have a small stool to rest one leg at a time. Do not wear high heels.
Sitting; Seats that are comfortable for the task at hand and good lumbar support are ideal. To avoid putting stress on the back, the seats should rotate. Car seats should also have adequate lower back support. If not, a small pillow or wrap around the back of the lumbar region will provide adequate support.
Sleep; Individual needs vary. If the mattress is too soft, most people will experience back pain. The same is true for sleeping on a hard mattress. Experiment and error may be required. A piece of plywood between the spring box and the mattress will reinforce the soft bed. A thick mattress pad will help soften the mattress which is very hard.
Lifting; Do not lift objects that are too heavy for you. When trying to lift an object, keep your back straight up and down, head up, and lift to your knees. Keep something close to you, do not bend down to lift it. Tighten your abdominal muscles to keep your back straight.
Treatment of lower back pain on left side above hip
In general, there is not much evidence for the treatment of lower back pain on left side above hip that was not caused by a specific issue. In most cases, time, rest, and pain relief will help. Some issues require treatment and treatment.
1. Medication
Medication treatment options depend on the correct diagnosis of lower back pain. Your doctor will determine which medication, if any, is best for you based on your medical history, allergies, and other medications you may be taking.
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are the mainstays of back pain treatment. Ibuprofen, naproxen, ketoprofen, and many others are available. No specific NSAID has been shown to be more effective for pain control than any other. However, your doctor may switch you from one NSAID to another to find the one that works best for you.
The use of these medicine is associated with serious side effects, including dependence, sedation, decreased response time, nausea, and congestion. One of the most common side effects is constipation. This happens to a large percentage of people who take this type of medication for more than a few days.
2. Surgery
Surgery is not considered for acute back pain unless sciatica or cauda equina disease is present. Surgery is considered essential for people with certain ongoing neurological problems caused by herniated discs.
Surgery, whether instead of hip arthritis or spinal surgery due to a herniated disc, spinal problems or spinal stenosis, is the ultimate solution for pain treatment. Both hip and back surgery are quite successful. Full evaluation is essential and conservative measures are tested first.
3. Exercise
In severe back pain, there is currently no evidence that special spine exercises are more effective in improving performance and reducing pain than other conservative therapies. In chronic pain, studies have shown benefits from strengthening exercises. Physical therapy can be best guided by specialists.
No specific back exercises were found that improved pain or increased working capacity in people with severe back pain. Exercise, however, can be helpful for people with chronic back pain to help them return to normal activities and work. These exercises usually involve stretching techniques.
4. Physical therapy
Exercise is the best long-term way to control spinal stenosis. A physical therapist can teach you exercises that will strengthen your back muscles to support your spine and compensate for pain. Massage and manipulation can help this type of problem because it starts in your bones, not in your muscles or tendons. Acupuncture may help, but it should be repeated.
5. See a specialist for low back pain
If you are experiencing back pain that does not respond to rest and self-care, it is time to consider seeing a spine specialist. A chiropractor will perform a physical examination along with one or more imaging tests to determine the underlying cause of your lower back pain.
Based on your diagnosis, he or she will develop a treatment plan that aims to reduce your pain and prevent it from disrupting the daily activities you enjoy.