Sciatica pain can occur anywhere along the sciatic nerve, including the hip, buttocks, and leg. It typically affects one side. Hip pain due to other causes may only affect the hip and require different treatment.

Sciatica is pain from the compression or irritation of the sciatic nerve, which runs from the lower back to the feet. The pain can occur anywhere along the nerve.

Other causes of hip pain can include injury, infection, and conditions that affect the joints, such as arthritis. The pain from other causes may feel different than sciatica pain and may require different methods of diagnosis and treatment.

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Sciatica pain occurs when something compresses or irritates the root of the sciatic nerve in the lumbar spine.

Sciatica pain often occurs in the hip or lower back and radiates toward the buttocks and leg. It may worsen when a person moves, coughs, or sneezes. Sciatica typically occurs on one side of the body.

People may describe the pain as:

Although sciatica can cause hip pain, several other potential causes can also cause hip pain.

According to the United Kingdom’s National Health Service (NHS), common types of hip pain include:

  • Joint pain and stiffness that worsens when a person remains still: This type of pain may occur due to rheumatoid arthritis, a chronic, progressive disease that causes joint pain and swelling.
  • Joint pain and stiffness that worsens with movement: This may occur due to osteoarthritis, a progressive condition in which the bone and cartilage in the joint wear away over time.
  • Severe pain, swelling, and heat in the hip: This type of pain may be due to joint infection, or infectious (septic) arthritis.
  • Pain with bruising and swelling: This may be due to strain or sprain in the hip after a repetitive activity.
  • Severe pain that prevents a person from walking: Severe pain may be due to a hip fracture.

Anything that compresses the sciatic nerve, from injuries to health conditions, can lead to sciatica. Common causes includeTrusted Source:

  • Herniated or bulging disc: Discs are made from cartilage and form cushions between the vertebrae of the spine. A herniated disc occurs when a disc slips out of place, putting pressure on the sciatic nerve.
  • Spondylolisthesis: Spondylolisthesis is a condition where a vertebrae moves from its position. It usually slips forward over the vertebra below.
  • Spinal stenosis: Spinal stenosis is a condition in which the space where the spinal cord sits narrows around it, which may compress the spinal nerves, particularly in older adults.
  • Muscle spasms and inflammation: Spasms and inflammation in the pelvis or lower spine may irritate or compress the sciatic nerve.
  • Abscesses, tumors, or growths: Masses or growths may press against the sciatic nerve, causing pain.

Other causes of hip pain may be unrelated to the sciatic nerve. These include:

  • Arthritis: CausesTrusted Source of arthritis include joint deterioration with aging, problems with the immune system, and infections.
  • Tendinitis: Tendinitis is inflammation of the tendons that can occur after overuse or injury.
  • Bursitis: Bursitis occurs when fluid-filled sacs in the joints, called bursae, become inflamed. Causes include injury, infection, and certain health conditions, such as gout.
  • Injury: Strains, sprains, fractures, and overuse can cause inflammation and pain in the hip.

To diagnose sciatica and rule out other causes of hip pain, a doctor mayTrusted Source:

  • ask about a person’s symptoms
  • perform a physical examination
  • ask the person to perform some basic movements, such as a straight leg raise, that stretch the sciatic nerve
  • order imaging tests, such as MRI scans, if the pain persists longer 6 to 8 weeks

Treatments for sciatica and other causes of hip pain may vary depending on the severity and underlying cause.

Sometimes, sciatica may resolve without treatment. However, treatments to help speed up recovery and improve the symptoms include:

  • Home remedies: Applying heat packs, placing a small cushion between or underneath the knees, and performing gentle exercises may relieve pain.
  • Medical treatment: Doctors may suggest or prescribe medication to relieve pain and inflammation and refer a person to a physiotherapist. For severe pain, a doctor may administer pain-relieving injections.
  • Surgery: A doctor may recommend surgery for people with severe sciatica that does not respond to other treatments. Potential procedures include a discectomy to remove a herniated disc and a lumbar laminectomy to remove part of the vertebrae.

Treatments for other causes of hip pain will depend on their causes and severity.

For conditions such as tendinitis and bursitis, a doctor may recommend rest, hot and cold therapy, and medication to relieve pain and inflammation.

To treat arthritis, a doctor may prescribeTrusted Source the following medication:

A person with severe arthritis may require surgery.

A person should contact a doctor if:

  • their hip pain is severe or persistent
  • they have sciatica on both sides of the body
  • they have severe or worsening weakness or numbness in the legs
  • sciatica causes numbness around the anus or genitals
  • they find it difficult to urinate or pass stool
  • they cannot control urination or passing stool
  • the hip feels hot and is swollen
  • they have a high temperature and feel hot and shivery

Sciatica is pain that occurs due to irritation or compression of the sciatic nerve. The pain can occur anywhere along the nerve, including the hip. Sciatica typically affects one side of the body, and the pain can be sharp or shooting. It may radiate toward the buttocks and leg.

Other causes of hip pain include arthritis, tendinitis, bursitis, and injury. The type of pain can vary depending on the cause. Some causes may also cause bruising, swelling, and heat in the hip.

A doctor can help diagnose sciatica and rule out other causes of hip pain. Treatment may depend on the severity and the underlying cause. However, options may include home remedies, medication, or surgery.