Radiating Lower Back Pain Quiz
Take a quiz to find out what’s causing your pain.
Severe pain always gets your attention and keeps it there, making you wonder if there is something worrisome that is wrong.
Back pain and outer hip pain area can be especially troublesome, causing you pain when you move, walk, and even when you sleep. Sciatic nerve pain is especially troubling, causing pain in the butt literally and shooting pain in the leg that begins in the mid buttock and runs down the back of the leg down to the ankle.
We’ve put together a handy guide that will help you pinpoint the exact cause of your pain and know how seriousor mild, your condition is and to know if you need to get help immediately or see a doctor at your convenience.
If you are concerned that the cause of your radiating back/hip/leg pain might be something serious, check the more serious possible causes of your pain below to see what doctors say about when to worry about radiating hip and back pain.
You can also consult our handy back pain quiz, which will help you use your symptoms to diagnose possible causes for your pain.
Signs That Your Hip Is The Source Of Your Pain
One of the biggest signs that your pain is caused by a problem in your hip is the presence of groin pain. Your hip joint is located behind the groin, thats why groin pain usually means the hip is the root cause of pain. In some cases, this groin pain will radiate downward toward your knee.
Another obvious sign that your hip is the source of your pain is pain around or over the hip joint. However, hip problems can also refer pain to your low back, contributing to the confusion over where the true source of the pain is located.
Hip-related pain is most often caused by osteoarthritis in the hip. In addition to groin pain, people who have osteoarthritis in their hip joint often report pain in their buttock, front of thighs, and knees. They may also limp when they walk and report reduced range of motion in their hips, pain that worsens with activity and improves with rest, and discomfort that begins as occasional but becomes more regular.
While osteoarthritis is the most common cause, hip pain may also derive from piriformis syndrome, avascular necrosis in the hip, and/or sacroiliac joint dysfunction.
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Piriformis syndrome causes dull, mild pain in the low back and buttocks and can cause pain radiating down the legor sciatica.
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On the other hand, the hip pain associated with avascular necrosis is severe and constant.
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might be attributed to both the hip and the low back, as the sacroiliac joints connect the sacrum in spine to the hip bones.
Signs You Should See A Healthcare Professional
Most people who experience lower back pain don’t need medical attention since the pain often improves in a few days. However, if the issue persists, you should get evaluated by a primary care provider.
A healthcare professional may conduct a physical exam and sometimes need more information to assess the situation further and suggest appropriate treatments. It would be wise to visit a healthcare professional if:
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You are 70 years or older and are experiencing new lower back pain
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You are experiencing persistent pain that continues through the night, even when lying down
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You have problems with your bowels, bladder, or sexual organ
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You are experiencing weakness in one or both legs
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You have lower back pain that is accompanied by weight loss or fever
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If you are older than 50 years and had an accident or fell resulting in low back pain
Lower back and hip pain are usually recurring conditions, so staying active will reduce your chances of experiencing another episode. There is no specific exercise to prevent low back and hip pain, pick an exercise you enjoy and work with it. Additionally, lift heavy objects using the correct form and take regular breaks if you sit or stand for long periods.
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When Should I Go To The Emergency Department
Lower right back pain is sometimes a medical emergency. Call 911 or go to the emergency department if:
- Your pain is so severe that you cant go about your daily activities.
- You have pain and incontinence, nausea, fever or vomiting.
- The pain is sudden and severe.
A note from Cleveland Clinic
Keep a careful eye on your symptoms. You may want to keep a record of when you experience lower right back pain, how severe it is and if there are other symptoms along with it. This can help your healthcare provider diagnose and treat you.
Remember: The pain in the lower right part of your back can sometimes be as minor as a sprain that can be fixed with time and ice packs, but it can be as major as a spinal tumor. Report your symptoms to your healthcare provider so that they can give you the right diagnosis, and then the right treatment. If you dont get treatment for pain caused by, for example, a kidney or liver problem, there could be permanent damage done to those organs.
Last reviewed by a Cleveland Clinic medical professional on 04/26/2022.
References
Is Radiating Lower Back And Hip Pain Dangerous

Most back pain is harmless caused by sleeping in an awkward position, stretched muscles, overexertion, sitting down too long or falling on the ischial tuberosity , or minor hip injuries caused by twisting a certain way during sports like volleyball. Many injuries arise simply from improper form during exercise, sports injuries, or strains.
But there are some pretty serious causes for back and hip pain as well. Lower back pain, in particular, can be a sign of various serious conditions such as advanced kidney infections or a condition called interstitial cystitis, which can cause inflammation of the tissues of the bladder. Sciatica causes lower back pain, pain in the back of the knee, pain in right buttock cheek, unilateral pain, thigh pain, pain behind the knee and calf, and muscle weakness in legs as well.
Outer hip pain and lateral hip pain, though typically not cause for alarm , can be a sign of a serious bone condition, such as arthritis in the back, rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, or tendonitis but can also indicate a more serious bone condition like a fracture, labral tear, or conditions such as snapping hip syndrome or osteonecrosis.
The sciatic nerve is a long nerve that runs all the down both sides of the body, beginning at the bottom two vertebra of the back, through the hip area, and all the way down the legs. The pain is usually unilateral with this disorder.
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Hip Arthritis Or Osteoarthritis
Wear and tear of your hip bone can cause inflammation in the hip socket which results in dull aches or, sometimes, sharp jabbing hip pain.
Researchers from the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons say that arthritis of the hip causes stiffness and pain. This can affect everyday activities like walking, bending over, or rising from a chair. Other associated symptoms of arthritis of the right hip can include:5
- Pain that intensifies with physical activity
- Hearing a grinding noise when you move the right leg or left leg
- Pain that radiates from your right hip to your groin or thigh
- Pain in the hip socket in damp weather
- Tenderness and possible swelling in the hip
Some ways of reducing pain in your right hip caused by arthritis include losing excess weight, low-impact physical exercise, or physical therapy.
If you suffer from inflammation of the joints, then its important to know which foods to avoid to prevent inflammation. For example, taking omega 3 supplements regularly is a natural remedy for arthritis. Also, turmeric can help to alleviate joint pain and other inflammatory conditions of the joints.
Find Back And Hip Pain Relief At Spine Ina
Back and hip pain should not inhibit your day to day life. If you feel discouraged because of your chronic symptoms, its time to schedule your appointment at Spine INA. Our experienced team will diagnose your back and hip pain and work with you to develop an individual treatment approach so that you can get back to enjoying your life. Contact us today to learn more.
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Pain And Stiffness In The Lower Back And Hip
A feeling of stiffness can accompany pain in the lower back and hip. This symptom is typically a protective mechanism of the body to prevent further injury in the area. Stiffness that occurs with pain can be debilitating and reduce function in the back, hip, and leg considerably. Here are a few common conditions that may cause these symptoms to occur together.
For Your Convenience We’ve Divided These Causes Into Five Categories As Follows
- Low risk: This can be easily managed with over-the-counter medications or by avoiding the movement/stressor causing your pain.
- Low-medium risk: Usually managed as an outpatient by your doctor with prescription medication.
- Medium risk: May require a visit to your doctor or hospitalization. Prescription medication may be necessary.
- Medium-high risk: Hospitalization or urgent intervention. Although not life-threatening get help immediately of some kind.
- High risk: Serious and potentially lethal complications possible emergent intervention needed Intensive Care Unit care often needed.
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Heat Things Up Or Cool Them Down
Hot and cold may be opposites, but both can help keep you comfortable. Cold treatment is usually best for an injury that just happened. After about 72 hours, doctors usually suggest switching to heat. Use an ice pack that’s wrapped in a towel or try a heating pad for about 15-20 minutes at a time. Be careful not to burn your skin.
Tips To Relieve The Pain
- Stay active and continue your daily routines. Resting is likely to make your pain worse.
- Apply heat or ice for about twenty minutes frequently throughout the day to ease your pain and any inflammation.
- Try exercises for back pain and activities including walking, swimming, yoga and Pilates.
- Take over-the-counter pain relief such as ibuprofen.
- Stretch tight muscles for a few minutes every day.
- Keep good posture as this will ease the pressure on your lower back.
- Maintain a healthy weight to ensure an optimal load on your lower back.
- Ensure you lift safely by bending with your knees to a squat position and holding the load close to your chest.
- Drink plenty of water every day and limit your intake of animal protein and salt to reduce your risk of kidney stones.
- Wipe from front to back when going to the toilet to prevent infection from bacteria in your colon passing to your urinary tract.
- Give up smoking as the nicotine in tobacco can weaken your spinal bones and remove nutrients from your discs that may lead to spine problems.
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Treatment Options For Hip Pain
Treatment for hip pain depends on the diagnosis, but pain that’s caused by overuse or sports injuries is often treated with heat, rest, and over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medication. To prevent injuries, it is important to stretch before exercising and wear appropriate clothing, especially good shoes when running, Dr. Philippon says.
If certain activities or overuse are causing hip pain, stop those that aggravate the discomfort and talk to your doctor. Excess weight can put pressure on the hip joint, so losing the pounds can provide relief and help you avoid further problems. Some causes of hip pain, such as fractures or hernias, may need surgical repairs. If your hip pain persists, talk to your doctor about the possible causes and treatments.
What Treatments Are Available

Nonsurgical treatments: Physical therapy, chiropractic manipulation, and stretching exercises help many patients. Some patients may require oral anti-inflammatory medications or topical patches, creams, salves or mechanical bracing.
Joint injections: Steroids can reduce the swelling and inflammation of the nerves. Joint injections are a minimally invasive procedure that involves an injection of a corticosteroid and an analgesic-numbing agent into the painful joint . While the results tend to be temporary, if the injections are helpful they can be repeated up to three times a year.
Nerve ablations: Injections into joints or nerves are sometimes called âblocks.â Successful SI joint injections may indicate that you could benefit from radiofrequency ablation ââ¬â a procedure that uses an electrical current to destroy the nerve fibers carrying pain signals in the joint.
Surgery: If nonsurgical treatments and joint injections do not provide pain relief, your physician may recommend minimally invasive SI joint fusion surgery. Through a small incision, the surgeon places titanium implants and bone graft material to stabilize the joint and promote bone growth. The surgery takes about an hour. The patient may go home the same day or following day. For several weeks after surgery, the patient cannot bear full weight on the operated side and must use crutches for support.
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Take Charge Of Stress
No, the pain isn’t “all in your head,” but your emotions can play a role. Stress causes your muscles to tense up and also makes the pain seem worse. Biofeedback, which shows you how your thinking and behavior affects your breathing and heart rate, might offer some relief. You could also try cognitive behavioral therapy. You’ll work with a mental health expert who will help you change your behaviors and thoughts.
What Causes Lower Right Back Pain What Is Lower Right Back Pain A Symptom Of
Causes of lower right back pain can be divided into two categories: mechanical problems and underlying conditions. Mechanical problems have to do with the bones and tissues in your back your ligaments, spine, tendons and muscles. Underlying conditions are disorders of your organs. Pain from conditions that affect your organs can radiate to your back.
Mechanical problems:
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Complications Related To Sciatica
If you develop a loss of bladder or bowel control, contact your doctor right away. This can be a sign of a medical emergency that requires surgery to avoid permanent damage. Fortunately, this complication is rare. Most cases of sciatica go away within a few days or weeks and cause no lasting harm.
What Are The Causes
The SI joint can become painful when the ligaments become too loose or too tight. This can occur as the result of a fall, work injury, car accident, pregnancy and childbirth, or hip/spine surgery .
Sacroiliac joint pain can occur when movement in the pelvis is not the same on both sides. Uneven movement may occur when one leg is longer or weaker than the other, or with arthritis in the hip or knee problems. Autoimmune diseases, such as axial spondyloarthritis, and biomechanical conditions, such as wearing a walking boot following foot/ankle surgery or non-supportive footwear, can lead to degenerative sacroiliitis.
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Lower Back Pain On Right Side Above Hip Region Causes Treatment Options
A pain that occurs in any part of the body is upsetting, and it also happens in the abdomen. The abdomen is a vigorous organ consisting of kidneys and bladder, pancreas, gallbladder, intestine stomach, liver. Slightly disturbance or disorder of rational functions in these organs can cause massive pain in the abdomen.
Flank pain is the discomposure in your upper abdomen or sides and back. Flank pain develops in the area above the pelvis and below the ribs. Frequently, the flank pain is shoddier on one side of your body. However most of the flank pains are temporary most people experience it once a year although constant pain requires constant medication or severe medical conditions which include urinary tract infection or dehydration, constant pain causes kidney stones or other kidney problem.
Hip Pain At Night : Causes And Symptoms
Chronic hip pain at night affects around one in five people aged over 65 and is more common in women, particularly those aged 4060 years. It can disturb your sleep and/or make it difficult to fall asleep. When hip pain affects the outer side of your hip, it is called lateral hip pain.
There are many different causes of hip pain, including overuse during the day when exercising, the position that you sleep in, moving in bed and your joints swelling at night.
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How Is Lower Back Pain Just Above The Buttocks Treated
The first course of action is medication to reduce inflammation and pain, so anti-inflammatory drugs can make it easier to carry out your daily tasks. Heat and cold therapy can help, whether heat or cold packs or a hot bath. Taking a break from any vigorous activity is important, but you need to stay as active as possible, as too much time resting can exacerbate some conditions.
If your pain hasnt eased after these treatments and lasts more than a couple of weeks, speak to your doctor as they can refer you to the right specialist.
Your doctor may recommend physical therapy, including core-strengthening exercises, stretching, and massage. Surgery may be necessary if other treatments are not effective.
For Back Pain Problems Try Thesefirst:

- See your care primary doctor, and stay active. He or she will likely prescribe NSAIDs for two weeks. Meanwhile, stay active. Activity can and should be continued. Prolonged bed rest is bad advice, says Dr. DeMicco.
- Schedule physical therapy if needed after two weeks. If youre still in pain after two weeks, a physical therapist can show you exercises that can strengthen the muscles supporting your spine as well as back-friendly maneuvers.
- Lose weight, and quit tobacco. Maintaining your ideal weight will take the pressure off your spine. Its important to avoid tobacco products too. Nicotine impedes microcirculation, so your spine will degenerate at a faster rate, says Dr. DeMicco.
If the source of your pain is difficult to pinpoint, seek help from a hip or spine specialist. The specialist may order an injection of lidocaine, or they may perform diagnostic/therapeutic hip injection under fluoroscopy or ultrasound.
If the problem is the hip,this will numb the hip joint and relieve symptoms immediately. If the paindoes not improve, we know were barking up the wrong tree, says Dr. Murray.The same technique can rule out or confirm back pain.
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