Hip pain and leg numbness on the left or right side can be frustrating. The pain can:
- Be mild or severe
- Cause leg pain or hip pain (or both)
- Feel like numbness or tingling
- Come and go or be constant
- Be sharp or dull
Basically, hip pain and leg numbness on either side can have a range of symptoms!
Equally frustrating is that hip pain and leg numbness have multiple causes. and until you pinpoint the underlying cause of the pain, you may not be able to treat your condition effectively. Here are eight possible causes of hip pain and leg numbness and how you can treat them.
1. Sciatica
When most people think of hip pain, leg pain, or numbness in those areas, they think of sciatica pain. It’s an injury to or irritation of the sciatic nerve and can be caused by:
- A slipped or herniated disk: when a disk (the spongy material between the bones) slips out of place and presses against the nerve
- Spinal stenosis: a condition where the space in the backbone is too small, placing pressure on the nerve
- Spondylolisthesis: when one of your vertebrae (spine bones) slips out of place and puts pressure on the vertebrae below it.
2. Pinched Nerve
Pinched nerves happen when the area surrounding the hip nerves — bones, cartilage, muscles, and tendons — place pressure on a specific nerve or nerves. While the pain often feels like numbness, you may also experience a sharp, aching, burning, or tingling sensation that radiates.
There are numerous ways to pinch a nerve in your hip, including:
- Prolonged sitting
- Pelvic trauma
- Cysts
- Hip surgery
- Muscle strain caused by overuse, pregnancy, or obesity
- Pelvic hernias
- Tumors
- Arthritis
3. Piriformis Syndrome
The piriformis muscle runs from your lower spine, through your buttocks, to the top of your thighs, and under the sciatic nerve. The muscle can press against the sciatic nerve, causing pain in the hip, but you may also feel it in your upper leg or backside.
4. Arthritis
Arthritis causes swollen, tender, or stiff joints. While there are many types of arthritis, arthritis in the hip joint is usually caused by:
- Osteoarthritis. Osteoarthritis is the gradual wearing down of cartilage in your joints. Without it, the ends of your bones rub together, resulting in hip pain.
- Rheumatoid arthritis. Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disorder that causes your immune system to attack your joints. It starts with the synovial membrane, a part of your joint that reduces friction between your bones. As the synovial membrane breaks down, it becomes difficult to move your hip joint.
5. Bursitis
Your joints also have bursae. These small, fluid-filled sacs cushion the connective tissue near your joints and enable them to move smoothly and freely. Bursitis is the inflammation of the bursae and is commonly caused by repetitive motions, like repeatedly lifting something over your head or kneeling for a long time.
6. Hip Tendonitis
Hip tendonitis is inflammation or irritation of the hip tendons. Also called hip flexor tendonitis or tendonitis of the hip, you may feel hip pain, tenderness, or mild swelling in your hip joint. Pain at the front of your hip is iliopsoas tendonitis.
While more common in athletes, hip tendonitis starts gradually and, if it remains untreated, can interfere with mobility.
7. Hip Labral Tear
The outer rim of your hip joint has a ring of cartilage, the labrum, that helps keep your thighbone in place. Tears in the ring cause hip pain and a reduced range of motion in the affected leg. A labral tear is most common in athletes but can also be caused by injuries or abnormalities in the hip bones.
8. Hip Impingement
Hip impingement, also called femoroacetabular impingement (FAI), is abnormal contact between your hip bones. When the ball of your hip pinches against the cup, you can damage the labrum, causing pain and stiffness in the hip along with reduced flexibility and range of motion.
9. Snapping Hip Syndrome
Snapping Hip Syndrome is a snapping sensation in your hip when you move your leg. It’s caused by a muscle or tendon moving over the knob (a bony protrusion) in your hip. In general, snapping hip syndrome is annoying but harmless. However, in some cases, the repeated snapping can cause mild pain that gradually worsens.
What Are Treatment Options for Hip Pain and Leg Numbness?
Depending on the cause of your hip pain or leg pain, ice, rest, and anti-inflammatory medications may be enough to reduce pain and improve your symptoms. While more severe pain may require physical therapy or surgery to improve muscle strength, reduce nerve pain, and restore flexibility to your hips, legs, and back, chiropractic care and adjustments are a less invasive way to improve joint function and mobility in your legs and hips. Spinal manipulation and massage therapy can release tight muscles, reduce pressure on nerves, and decrease inflammation that makes it difficult to move.
Chiropractic Treatment for Your Hip Pain or Leg Numbness
If you’re experiencing hip pain or leg numbness, the compassionate team at Flourish Chiropractic can help. Our skilled practitioners and massage therapists will examine your medical history to identify and treat the root cause of your pain, focusing on long-term wellness, not just short-term relief.
Schedule an appointment today and take the first steps toward a healthier, more pain-free life.
