Nonsurgical Treatments For Groin Nerve Pain
Most individuals dealing with a pinched nerve start with more conservative treatments. These treatments often provide pain relief.
Your doctor may refer you to a physical therapist. During physical therapy sessions, you learn to perform exercises for sciatica that alleviate a pinched nerve in the hip. This includes stretching and strengthening the muscles and other soft tissues in the buttocks, hip, lower back, and abdomen. Aerobic conditioning, such as pool therapy or walking, may also be effective.
Whats the advantage of going to a physical therapist or athletic trainer? A trained professional can help you develop a routine and suggest activity modifications based on the underlying cause of your pain. An individualized treatment plan may be much more effective than finding a couple of random hip exercises off the internet.
Other professionals may also provide relief for your pinched nerve. For example, a chiropractor can perform adjustments and manual manipulations of the spine. These techniques seek to improve spinal alignment and address the underlying conditions associated with a pinched nerve.
A massage therapist may also assist with your hip pain. Deep tissue massage can relax tight muscles and improve blood circulation. Moreover, licensed massage therapists have a deep understanding of sciatic pain and how to relieve it.
Sciatic Nerve Pain Causes
As the name suggests, a pinched nerve occurs when pressure is applied to a nerve. This compression can disrupt the nerves ability to send and receive messages. More alarmingly, nerve compression may damage the nerve, possibly leading to permanent non-function.
Is a pinched nerve in hip preventable?
Short answer: Sometimes yes. Sometimes no.
There are several reasons why you may develop a pinched nerve in the leg or hip. Some causes are preventable, whereas may result from unavoidable factors such as aging or wear and tear on the body.
For example, the intervertebral discs found between each vertebra tend to break down and lose shape as we age. This may cause the body to form more bone mass in an attempt to reinforce the area. These new bits of bone are called bone spurs. Sometimes, as they form, they narrow the canal where the nerve roots exit the spine. This often leads to a pinched nerve.
Likewise, pregnancy can be another cause of sciatica. As a womans body prepares for delivery, the pelvic muscles loosen. These loose muscles, along with the added weight, can cause pain in the groin and down the leg in females.
And, yes, extra body weight can affect the nerves. Being overweight or obese applies added pressure to the bones and joints. Remember: The hips are responsible for supporting much of your bodys weight. The burden of excess weight may alter hip structures and pinch the sciatic nerves.
How Serious Is It
Prolonged pressure placed on the femoral nerve can prevent blood from flowing in the affected area. The decreased blood flow can result in tissue damage.
If your nerve damage is the result of an injury, it may be possible that your femoral vein or artery is also damaged. This could cause dangerous internal bleeding. The femoral artery is a very large artery that lies close to the femoral nerve. Trauma often damages both at the same time. Injury to the artery or bleeding from the artery can cause compression on the nerve.
Additionally, the femoral nerve provides sensation to a major portion of the leg. This loss of sensation can lead to injuries. Having weak leg muscles can make you more prone to falling. Falls are of particular concern in older adults because they can cause hip fractures, which are very serious injuries.
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Sciatica Hip Pain: Causes Symptoms And Exercises
Disclaimer: Results are not guaranteed*** and may vary from person to person***.
Sciatica hip pain can last for weeks and cause excruciating pain to the point that it can rob us of our daily activities. From the time we are infants, we depend on our hips to move. Any damage to the adjoining sciatic nerve can hinder these movements.
The hips are not the only ones affected by pain. It can also cause pain in the legs and buttocks, as the sciatic nerve runs from the spinal cord to the feet.
We will look at the causes of sciatic nerve pain, known as sciatica, and how this presents sciatica pain in hip. We also explore alternative treatments to relieve sciatic hip pain.
How To Prevent In The Future
There are several things you can do to prevent a pinched nerve in the hip in the future. One of the most important things is to maintain a healthy body weight with regular exercise. The Injurymap app is a great way to stay fit. The app contains a range of exercises for every part of the body. You can use the app to work all the different muscles and prevent pinched nerves in the hip and other areas as well.1
Another preventive measure for pinched nerve in hip is to avoid staying in one position for too long. For example, if your work involves sitting in an office chair all day long, you should do gentle stretches and exercises periodically. This will help relieve pressure on the nerves in your hips.1
It is also a good idea to make sure you have a good posture. While standing, ensure that your weight is distributed equally on both legs. Avoid sitting for long periods with your legs crossed. Keep your spine straight and avoid hunching over.1
If your occupation requires heavy lifting, be sure to lift smart with the proper form. Bend your knees, not your back. Dont attempt to lift heavy or awkwardly shaped objects without help. If you have symptoms of a pinched nerve in the hip, avoiding lifting heavy objects as it can make your condition worse.
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How Can I Protect My Femoral Nerves
These steps can keep your nervous system healthy:
- Adopt healthy ways to manage stress like meditation, walking or listening to music.
- Be physically active most days of the week.
- Eat a nutritious diet.
- Manage conditions like diabetes and high blood pressure that cause neuropathies.
- Seek help to quit smoking. Tobacco slows blood flow to the nerves.
Obtain An Accurate Diagnosis And Plan For Pain Relief
The Injury Care Center wants to help you feel better. Our diverse team has the education and experience to accurately diagnose your nerve pain issues. Once you receive a proper diagnosis, we will tailor a custom-made treatment plan to your individual needs and lifestyle.
Did you know that most spine disorders can be treated without surgery? In fact, we have a team of conservative treatment experts ready to help you return to the things you love doing.
Ready to take the next stepwithout pain? Contact one of our patient advocates today!
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What Are The Femoral Nerve Branches
Near the pubic bone, the femoral nerve branches into the anterior femoral nerve and the posterior femoral nerve. Each of these branches provide certain motor or sensory functions:
- Sensory functions: The anterior femoral nerve provides sensory functions to the front and middle part of your thigh. The posterior femoral nerve becomes the saphenous nerve, which provides sensory information to your lower leg and foot.
- Motor functions: The anterior femoral branch helps you flex and move at the hips. The posterior femoral branch controls your quadriceps muscles to help straighten your knees.
Referred Pain From The Lower Back
Pain into the the hip and thigh can often be associated with referred pain from the lower back and one of the most common reasons is because of trapped nerves.
Sometimes this can also be due to joint pain from either the lower back or sacroiliac joints. In this case the characteristics of the pain will often be different in nature. Joint pain in the lower back usually manifests itself as a sharper, short-lived pain generated by movement, which transfers to the buttock or upper thigh. Sacroiliac pain often refers to the upper buttock and groin.
Each vertebra in the spine has numbers as you can see in the diagram. In the lower back or lumbar spine, the vertebrae are numbered L1 to L5. Slipped, herniated or disc bulges or protrusions usually occur at the bottom your lower back at L3, L4 or L5 where nerves exit, and these are numbered S1-S5.
The discs at the bottom of your lower back are the levels most likely to suffer from trapped nerves because these areas help support most of the weight of your upper body . The sciatic nerve runs from the bottom three vertebra as seen below and innervates the area around your hip, the back of the thigh and lower leg and foot.
If a nerve is trapped at L2 or L3 or L4 this will affect the femoral nerve and we suffer from femoral nerve impingement which provides both feeling and power to the front of the thigh. Therefore we experience pain in this specific anatomy.
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Nerve Related Conditions Associated With Anterior Hip Pain
The nerves that serve the anterior hip and thigh can be responsible for nociceptive pain in the region of any local entrapment and/or neuropathic pain that extends to the area of nerve supply. Once leaving the spine, these nerves need to travel between or through paraspinal and abdominal muscles, the pelvis and then exit through or beneath ligamentous structures, before piercing the fascia to reach the skin. There are many sites of potential entrapment or irritation of these nerves along their pathways and mechanisms of injury that may be local or distant to the anterior hip region itself.
Possible entrapment or injury zones associated with nerve related anterior hip pain1,2
Possible mechanisms for entrapment or injury of nerves supplying the anterior hip1,2,3
The most common mechanisms for entrapment or injuries related to nerve related anterior hip pain are iatrogenic mechanisms, indicating the importance of exploring any surgical history in the patient interview. Pregnancy, childbirth and endometriosis are also potential mechanisms in females. Trauma, external and internal compression are less common but potential mechanisms and tumours and cysts should always be considered.
Referred Pain From The Knee
Pain can also be generated from the kneecap and this can result in thigh pain. It is also important to remember that any instability or trauma to significant structures in the knee can also cause referred pain into the thigh as well.
Examples would be ligament, muscle or meniscal injuries or osteoarthritis of knee joint or indeed any damage to the fibula in the lower leg.
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Diagnosing Nerve Pain In The Leg
One of the best ways to relieve nerve pain is to find out exactly what is causing it. Symptoms of various nerve conditions often overlap. By knowing exactly what is causing your discomfort, you can take more proactive steps toward pain relief.
But, how do you find out whats causing your leg pain?
For most individuals, this starts with a trip to your doctor or spine care specialist.
During a consultation, your doctor will inquire into your medical history. This includes reviewing:
- When your pain started
- The events that led up to your pain
- What your pain feels like
- Other symptoms that youre experiencing
- What makes your symptoms better or worse
- Your current medical conditions
- Any related injuries or physical traumas
- Your lifestyle and working habits
- Your family history of medical conditions
- Any current medications or supplements that youre taking
Once your medical history is established, your doctor will perform a thorough physical examination. Your doctor will check for pain in different regions of your lower body . In addition, your doctor will note any swelling, skin changes, muscle weakness, or reflex activity through a variety of simple tests.
After the initial consultation, your doctor will have obtained a better idea of why you are experiencing leg pain. That being said, some additional tests and diagnostics may be necessary to achieve an accurate diagnosis.
Best Exercises For Sciatica Hip Pain
There are various treatments for sciatica conditions, including the use of prescribed and over-the-counter pain relievers and anti-inflammatories. Use of hot and cold compresses and alternative therapies of acupuncture and ultrasound may also relieve symptoms.
We have outlined four common exercises for sciatica hip pain. The hips have trigger points to target pain and offer relief. You can do this using tennis balls, foam rollers, and tubes.
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Other Causes Of Pinched Nerve Pain In The Leg
However, injury or damage to the sciatic nerve is just one form of nerve damage that may be causing your symptoms. Here are a few other conditions that present similar leg symptoms:
- Peripheral Neuropathy: Usually caused by diabetes, this condition involves damage to nerves in the peripheral nervous systemnerves that supply sensation to the feet and legs.
- Peroneal Neuropathy: The peroneal nerve is located near the knee and has a tendency to become compressed as the result of injuries to the knee or hip.
- Lumbosacral Radiculoplexus Neuropathy: Your nerves require a blood supply to stay healthy. Diabetes or inflammation can damage small blood vessels in the legs, reducing the nerves blood supply and causing dysfunction.
- Neurogenic Claudication: This is a fancy term that means nerve pain that originates directly from spinal nerves and affects the legs. Often, sufferers of neurogenic claudication will experience difficulty walking or report that their legs feel like lead weights.
- Cauda Equina Syndrome: Compression of a group of nerves that extends from the spinal cord in the lower back to the legs and bladder. This syndrome is usually accompanied by loss of bowel or bladder control and requires immediate medical attention to avoid permanent paralysis of the legs.
Is It Femoral Neuropathy Or Sciatica
Femoral neuropathy and sciatica often have similar symptoms. Both conditions can involve weakness, tingling, numbness, burning, and pain in the legs.
The sciatic nerve starts in your lower back and runs all the way down the back of your leg. It controls the muscles in the back of your knee, as well as other leg muscles.
Where the two conditions differ is the cause: Pressure on or damage to the sciatic nerve causes sciatica, while pressure on the femoral nerve causes femoral neuropathy. Sciatica tends to affect the back of the leg more than the front.
Pinpointing the location of changes in sensation can help your doctor diagnose either sciatica or femoral neuropathy, and they may recommend a diagnostic scan. Once your doctor determines the underlying cause, your treatment will be more effective because it can target the correct area.
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The Sciatic Nerve Is Large And Round
At its origin in the buttock, the sciatic nerve is shaped like a flattened band that is about 5 mm high and 10 mm to 15 mm wide. As it continues down into the leg, the nerve forms into a more rounded shape.3 At its thickest portion, the nerve measures about 2 cm in diameter,1 about the same circumference of a US penny.
How Are Femoral Nerve Problems Diagnosed
Your healthcare provider will perform a physical exam and evaluate your symptoms. Your provider may also order one or more of these tests to make a diagnosis:
- Electromyography and nerve conduction study to measure electrical signals sent through the nervous system.
- MRI or X-rays to look for broken bones, tumors and muscle damage.
- Neuromuscular ultrasound to check for inflammation, tumors and nerve damage.
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Use Heat & Ice Therapy
Alternating between a heating pad and an ice pack can relieve painful symptoms. Ice application, for example, assists in inflammation reduction. Heat, on the other hand, encourages blood flow and promotes healing. When youre experiencing pain, try using an ice pack for at least 15 minutes, once per hour. Then, follow this with applying a heating pad for 15 minutes, every 2 to 3 hours. To protect your skin, use a barrier between the hot and cold packs.
Treating A Pinched Nerve In The Hip
If you start noticing the symptoms of a pinched nerve, its best to address them right away. One of the first lines of defense is resting the area. This gives the body a chance to heal. Take it easy for a few days. Try to avoid overworking the hip or lifting heavy objects.
In addition, using heat and/or ice therapy can reduce minor symptoms such as inflammation in the area. Using an ice pack can also reduce swelling. Alternately, a heat pack or heating pad helps to increase circulation to the joint. This not only provides some relief, but it may also speed up the healing process.
Some over-the-counter medications may assist with pain. For example, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs like naproxen sodium or ibuprofen may be effective for minor to moderate sciatic pain.
Try making small changes in your daily habits that may benefit your hip. For example, if you usually carry objects in the same hand, try switching it up. Try to raise the height of your office chair to put less strain on the hip. If you wear high heels or other uncomfortable shoes, consider switching to more supportive shoes. And, of course, if a certain exercise or activity is making your condition worse, consider alternate physical activities.
If these simple fixes arent helping, it may be time to consult with your doctor.
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