Pain in the hip radiating down the leg is one of the problems that many people usually meet, particularly those who have to sit and work or live a life in which they have to sit for a long time. Sometimes the symptoms may begin from pain in the hip before spreading to the leg and the toes, which may be severe to the point of making movement difficult. But fortunately these symptoms can be treated by a method that does not require surgery. Today let us come and understand the causes, the methods of treatment, and the prevention of pain in the hip radiating down the leg.
What is pain in the hip radiating down the leg
Pain in the hip radiating down the leg (Sciatica Pain) is pain that begins from the area of the hip or the waist, and then the pain gradually spreads down to the back of the leg, which may spread to the calf or the toes. Pain in the hip radiating down the leg usually arises from the Sciatic nerve being compressed or irritated in the area of the spine, usually arising from the movement of an intervertebral disc, degeneration of the spine, injury to the nerve, or the tightness of the deep muscles in the area of the hip, which will cause a feeling of dull pain, and sometimes there may be a sharp or burning pain along with it. These symptoms usually become more severe when you sit for a long time, cough, sneeze, or even strain at stool.
The causes of pain in the hip radiating down the leg
Pain in the hip radiating down the leg can arise from several causes, the main ones coming from unsuitable behaviour or from certain diseases related to the spine and the nerves.
Wrong behaviour
Daily living and certain behaviour may be the main cause that gives rise to pain in the hip radiating down the leg, such as sitting in the same posture for a long time, or lifting heavy things in the wrong way, which may create a compressing force on the spine or the intervertebral disc until it affects the Sciatic nerve.
Arising from the spine
In many cases, pain in the hip radiating down the leg arises from a problem in the spine. The spine being unable to do its normal duty results in compression or squeezing of the nerves nearby. In the case where an intervertebral disc moves (Herniated Disc) or an intervertebral disc degenerates (Degenerative Disc Disease), the disc between the vertebrae moves to press on the nerve; or sometimes inflammation may arise in the joints of the spine (Facet Joint Arthritis), causing radiating pain or numbness in the area of the hip and the leg. Because this compression makes the nerve unable to send signals normally, it results in radiating pain (Radiculopathy), which may feel like pain or numbness along the nerve in the area of the leg.
Arising from other causes
Besides problems of the spine, there are also other causes that give rise to pain in the hip radiating down the leg, such as spasm of the muscles of the hip (Piriformis syndrome), the symptoms of inflammation of the pelvic joint (Sacroiliac joint dysfunction), or even injury from an accident, which can all give rise to pain in the hip radiating down the leg.
The symptoms of patients with pain in the hip radiating down the leg
Patients who have pain in the hip radiating down the leg usually feel pain in the area of the hip, and when the symptoms become more severe, they will feel the pain radiate to the back of the thigh, and sometimes it may spread to the toes. The symptoms met often are a dull pain, heat or a tingling in the leg, as well as numbness or a feeling like an electric shock at times.
The treatment of pain in the hip radiating down the leg
The treatment of pain in the hip radiating down the leg must have the symptoms assessed by a doctor, in order to choose the method of treatment suitable for the patient. Both the method that does not require surgery and surgery in the case where the symptoms are severe can be chosen.
Treatment without surgery
In the case where the symptoms are not yet severe enough to need surgery, treatment without surgery will emphasise building up the strength of the muscles in the area of the central axis of the trunk (Core Muscle Strengthening), which is exercising the muscles of the back and the abdomen in order to help reduce the compressing force on the spine and the nerves. Besides this, other methods of therapy can also be used, such as doing physiotherapy, hot compresses, and the use of instruments that help restoration, whether it be treatment with Western needling (Dry Needling), which helps restore chronic muscle pain, stimulation with electromagnetic waves through the Peripheral Magnetic Stimulation (PMS) device, or relieving the pain with the High Power Laser Therapy device, which helps relieve pain that has its cause in the muscles and the nervous system.
Treatment by surgery
In the case where the symptoms do not improve after treatment by methods without surgery, or where the pain in the hip radiating down the leg comes from severe compression of the nerve, it may be necessary to use the method of surgery in order to put right the problem that has arisen, such as surgery for a displaced intervertebral disc, surgery on the spine, or surgery in order to reduce the compression of the nerve that affects the working of the nervous system.
In summary
Pain in the hip radiating down the leg is a symptom met often in those who have unsuitable behaviour or those who have problems of the spine. The treatment of pain in the hip radiating down the leg depends on the doctor's diagnosis. The approaches to treatment are both the kind that does not require surgery and surgery, depending on the cause and the severity of the symptoms. Building up the muscles in the parts involved, and treatment by various methods, will help reduce the pain and prevent pain in the hip radiating down the leg from arising in the future.