There are loads of patients who live with low back pain that radiates to the buttock, groin, thigh, and even knees. But where does the pain start? A new article published in the February Journal of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (JAAOS) describes the identical symptoms associated with hip and spine pain and discusses the diagnostic steps and tests required to treat them appropriately. The article is entitled, “Differentiating Hip Pathology From Lumbar Spine Pathology: Key Points of Evaluation and Management.”

Key Takeaways:

• Plain and advanced imaging studies and diagnostic injections also can be used to further delineate the primary problem and guide the appropriate sequence of treatment
• Focusing on both the spine and the hip as potential causes of pain and disability may reduce the likelihood of misdiagnosis, and the management of conditions affecting the spine and/or hip may help reduce the likelihood of persistent symptoms
• There is a major need for obtaining a thorough clinical history, performing a complete physical examination, and ordering with analyzing appropriate diagnostic tests followed by diagnostic and therapeutic injections can differentiate between hip problems versus back related pathologies.

“There is a major need for obtaining a thorough clinical history, performing a complete physical examination, and ordering with analyzing appropriate diagnostic tests followed by diagnostic and therapeutic injections can differentiate between hip problems versus back related pathologies.”

https://ryortho.com/breaking/where-does-that-back-pain-really-come-from/