Orthopedist Questions Orthopedist

What causes hip pain that radiates down the leg?

I am a 29 year old female. I want to know what causes hip pain that radiates down the leg?

3 Answers

Typically sciatica from pinched nerve in low back.
In someone of your age depending on location of pain and type of pain makes a difference. Pain in the front from hip to knee could be nerve irritation, hip pathology such as labral tear. Unlikely arthritis. Pain in back of leg could be nerve (sciatica), hip pathology or muscle related ( Hamstring). Repetitive activity could lead to stress fracture which could cause this pain. If repetitive activity pain surest cross training. If hip or back related begin with stretching/strengthening program. If over 4-6 is still not better should have this evaluated. There are many causes I have not mentioned and a thorough physician can give you a better diagnosis following evaluation. Good luck.
Usually, pain that radiates down an extremity across joints (i.e. pain radiating from the hip down the leg past the knee) is a referred pain which is running along the path of the nerves. All of the nerves that are in your leg come from the lower back. Therefore, this type of pain is usually due to a nerve being irritated in your lower back, which some people call a pinched nerve. A nerve can be irritated in the lower back and cause these symptoms with or without associated back pain.