Referred Hip Pain Treatment

Referred Hip Pain Treatment

Referred Hip Pain refers to pain that can travel to or from the hip to surrounding musculoskeletal structures. At Vitalis Physiotherapy, our treatment aim to:

Restore Movement

Reduce Pain

Optimise Recovery

About the condition

What is referred hip pain?

The hip is what’s known as a ‘ball-and-socket’ joint – bones, muscle, ligament, tendons, tissue and nerves serve to support, cushion and facilitate upper leg movements. The hip can be susceptible to injury.

Referred hip pain refers to pain which originates in the hips and travels down the legs, up the spine, or to surrounding structures like the pelvis. Alternatively, pain may originate in another structure, usually the lumbar spine, and can radiate to the hip.

Causes

What are the causes of referred hip pain?

The exact cause and severity can vary. Typically, referred hip pain occurs due to:

  • Preexistinghip condition– either acute or chronic, e.g.hip fractures, hip OA,bursitis, etc.
  • Nerve pain– neuropathic pain due to nerve conditions with symptoms travelling down the upper leg, e.g.sciatica
  • Lumbar pain–back conditionswhich originate in thelumbar spine, causing pain which travels to the hip
Symptoms

What are the symptoms?

  • Pain in the hip Referred pain in the lower back, pelvis, groin, buttocks or upper leg area
  • Referred pain in the lower back, pelvis, groin, buttocks or upper leg area
  • Stiffness/inability to move the hip or leg
  • Tenderness
  • Reduced range of movement (leg rotation)
  • Reduced strength
  • Instability
  • Swelling and bruising
  • Feeling unsteady while standing
Treatment

Treatment for Referred Hip Pain

If you suspect you have referred hip pain, it is important to see a medical professional. You might also be referred for imaging tests to determine the cause and origin of the symptoms.

Physical therapy is highly beneficial in reducing associated symptoms. At Vitalis Physiotherapy, we tailor a unique treatment plan to aid in your recovery through:

If the pain and reduced movement is severe, strenuous activity should be avoided. Your physiotherapist may also advise heat or ice application, rest and if necessary, pain medication. Additionally, they might recommend for you to use supportive straps or belts.

  • Stretching, strengthening and/or conditioning exercises
  • Restoring range of movement
  • Postural improvement
  • Soft tissue mobilisations (massage)
  • Shockwave Therapy
  • Dry needling
  • Taping
  • A unique home exercise program
  • Graded Exposure to load program

Need Help?

Are you in pain caused by referred hip pain? Contact Vitalis Physiotherapy now to book in your treatment. Call our friendly team on 0410 559 856. We’d love to help.