You might know that the hip joint is one of the most significant joints in the body. Any discomfort in this area can cause many hurdles in our day-to-day life including difficulty walking, standing, sitting and sleeping.
Hip pain can arise from many causes. This includes sciatica, arthritis, labral tear, bursitis, greater trochanter pain, and more.
Let’s find out the root causes of the hip pain that radiates down the leg:
What Causes Hip Pain that Radiates Down the Leg?
Due to the intensity of the pain, one might experience pain in everyday tasks such as sitting, sleeping, and driving.
We are exploring today which structures of the hip cause hip pain that radiates down the leg. By previewing the conditions that originate from the hip, you can understand the root cause.
Hip Osteoarthritis
Hip osteoarthritis refers to the wear and tear of the hip joint cartilage. The pain originates from the front of the hip, mainly the groin area, and is caused by the hip joint.
Hip osteoarthritis can cause intense pain in the hip regions that can travel down the leg into the knee at times—pain can be caused following prolonged sitting, walking and other repetitive tasks such as cycling, gymnastics or martial arts.
It is a degenerative joint disease that usually occurs when the cartilage that cushions the edge of bones in the hip joint gradually wears down. It produces a locking, grinding during movement, which can also become very limited.
Possible increased chances of hip osteoarthritis include: obesity, repetitive exercise routines, natural aging and wear of joints.
Hip Labral Tear
A condition that causes stress to the labrum in the hip. The labrum helps keep the head of the thigh bone secure in the hip joint as you move. It also helps uphold the joint fluid inside the joint to guarantee frictionless movement.
Tearing of the labrum or cartilaginous ring around the hip socket causes pain in the groin region.
The symptoms and pain are usually dormant in the beginning. They only appear while exercising; however, over time, they start showing with smaller movements or even while sitting.
Hip Impingement
Hip osteoarthritis and labral tear can result in hip impingement caused by abnormal joint contact. The pain is usually felt in the front of the hip but can intermittently travel down the front and side of the hips to the thighs and knees.
Prolonged sitting, squatting, repeated movements, like cycling can further elevate the pain and cause severe trauma to your hip bones.
Iliopsoas Bursitis
Iliopsoas bursa is the small, thin, fluid-filled sac inside the hip. Iliopsoas bursitis is the inflammation in the iliopsoas bursa which can lead to pain that is usually felt in the groin area.
The pain can increase while bending and sitting for an extended period. This leads to snapping hip syndrome, in which a click, snap, or pop is heard whenever the hip moves. Pain intensity shoots up, especially when the hip goes from a flexed/bent position to a straight position, such as when standing from a chair.
Hip Bursitis
Pain is experienced when there is inflammation in the sizable trochanteric bursitis located on the side of the hip joints. It can cause significant pain in and across the hip joints.
Hip bursitis induces inflammation of the tiny, fluid-filled sacs called bursa. They cushion the bones, tendons, and muscles around joints.
There are two bursae which are commonly irritated: the iliopsoas bursa, found on the inside of the hip, and the trochanteric bursa, found on the outside of the hip.
The intensity of the pain is significantly increased when the direct pressure is applied to the side of the hip, like laying on your side in bed at night.
Nerve Pain from Hip to Legs (Sciatica)
Hip pain radiates through the nerves in the back of the hips to the front of the hip and down to the legs. The primary cause of pain is the irritation of the specific lumber and sacral nerve roots, called sciatic nerve.
Pain emerges suddenly, and usually, it does not subside with just self-care. You should factor in other precautions to alleviate the pain.
Other sciatica symptoms include numbness and tingling in the leg.
Snapping Hip
Pain usually occurs when the tissues on the outside of the tissues get inflamed and become irritated.
Factors that elevate the pain are obesity, additional hip movement, lack of exercise, hormonal imbalance, and injury.
Greater Trochanter Pain Syndrome
This occurs when the muscle in the hips or tendons slips and slides over a bony protrusion at the top of the femur. It radiates a popping, snapping, and clicking sound that worsens after daily use.
This transpires when the iliotibial (IT) band, a dense band of tissue maneuvering along the outside of your thigh, rubs over the bony prominence at the top of your thigh bone (greater trochanter).
Endometriosis
Endometriosis can certainly cause hip pain. While it primarily affects the reproductive system, its effect can spread past the pelvis.
Pelvic Floor Muscle Tension: Endometriosis continually induces inflammation and pain in the pelvic region. This can lead to pressure and tightness in the pelvic floor muscles linked to the hips. This muscle imbalance can result in hip pain.
Nerve Involvement: Endometrial tissue can grow around or on nerves in the pelvic area. When these nerves are aggravated or inflamed, they can provoke pain radiating to the hips, buttocks, and legs.
Adhesions: Endometriosis can lead to scar tissue (adhesions) forming in the pelvic area. These adhesions can hinder movement and cause pain, including hip pain.
Inflammation: The chronic inflammation associated with endometriosis can impact tissues and structures above the reproductive organs, including the hips.
Femoroacetabular Impingement (FAI)
Femoroacetabular impingement (FAI) is a common cause of hip pain. It ensues when the hip joint bones don’t fit together optimally. This abnormal shape compels the bones to rub against each other, leading to cartilage damage and pain.
There are three main types of FAI:
Cam impingement: The femoral head is not rounded, causing a bulge that grinds against the acetabular cartilage.
Pincer impingement: Extra bone rises over the regular edge of the acetabulum, tweaking the labrum.
Combined impingement: Both cam and pincer deformities are present
Avascular Necrosis (Osteonecrosis)
Avascular necrosis appears when the blood supply to a section of bone is hindered or reduced. Due to restricted blood flow, muscles begin to die.
Trauma: Injuries such as fractures or dislocations can destroy blood vessels, receding blood flow to the bone.
Long-term use of corticosteroids: Medications like prednisone can raise fat levels in the blood, which may obstruct blood vessels and impair bone circulation.
Excessive alcohol consumption: Alcohol can lead to fat residues in blood vessels, diminishing blood supply to bones.
Medical conditions: Diseases like sickle cell, lupus, and Gaucher can affect blood flow to bones. Other factors include radiation therapy and organ transplants.
Spontaneous AVN: In some cases, AVN can occur without an apparent cause, affecting otherwise healthy individuals. It can collapse your bones by forming cavities within the bones.
Herniated Disc
A herniation of a disc, located in the spine, can impact the nerves surrounding the spinal cord. These nerves supply sensation and movement to different body parts, including the hips.
Hip Fracture
The trauma to the upper part of the thigh bone (femur) causes hip fracture. This is a severe injury that often demands immediate medical attention.
It’s ubiquitous in older adults due to weakened bones from conditions like osteoporosis. There are several types of hip fractures, but the most common occur in two areas:
Intertrochanteric region: The area between the two large bony protrusions on the femur.
Femoral neck: This is the area just below the head of the femur.
Diagnoses of the Hip Pain that Radiates Down Leg
These diseases are the leading cause of hip pain. But how will you find out which one of them is the main leading cause behind the excruciating pain?
The standard means of diagnosis are:
Medical History
Your healthcare expert will question you regarding your symptoms, including:
Origin of Pain: Determining whether the pain is in the groin, outer hip, or buttock area can help narrow down potential causes.
Duration and Onset: Understanding when the pain began and whether it was sudden or gradual can provide insights into possible injuries or conditions.
Activity Level: Discussing recent activities, injuries, or changes in physical activity can help specify overuse injuries or trauma.
Previous Conditions: Any record of arthritis, fractures, or other medical conditions may be relevant.
Physical Examination
The physical exam is done to examine these:
Range of Motion: Testing how far you can move your hip in diverse directions helps recognize stiffness or pain during movement.
Strength Testing: Assessing muscle strength around the hip joint can indicate weaknesses or imbalances.
Gait Analysis: Monitoring your walk can indicate underlying issues affecting your hip.
Palpation: The doctor may press on specific hip areas to recognize tenderness or swelling.
Imaging Tests
X-rays: Helpful for detecting fractures, arthritis, and other bone-related issues.
MRI: Delivers precise images of soft tissues, including cartilage, muscles, and ligaments, and is particularly helpful in diagnosing conditions like labral tears or avascular necrosis.
CT Scan: Offers cross-sectional images of the hip joint and may be used for more complex cases.
Ultrasound: Can help evaluate soft tissue structures and detect conditions like bursitis or tendon injuries.
Treatments for Hip Pain that Radiates Down Leg
After determining the root cause of your hip pain going down your leg, let’s preview the possible treatments for the shooting pain from your hip down your leg.
RICE Methods are rest, ice, compress, and elevate. By following these methods, you can recover fully and early.
Physical Therapy is the most helpful and recommended way to heal your injury because the therapist knows the functions of the joints and muscles and how they work together. The therapist will map out the route to speedy recovery.
Physical therapy is the road to recovery that will restore your body’s function.
At Biofix Therapy, our therapists are qualified and experienced and know the best and the quickest way to recover your body function and help you eliminate pain.
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