Can Lumbar Stenosis Cause Hip Pain?
Hip pain can be incredibly frustrating, especially when it lingers or keeps you from moving the way you used to. Many people try stretching or adjusting their routines, only to find the discomfort always returns.
What most patients often overlook is that the hip isn’t always the actual source. Lumbar stenosis occurs when the open spaces in the lower spine narrow and press on nearby nerves. When those nerves are compressed or irritated, pain can spread into the buttock, outer hip, or down the leg.
Because these symptoms often mimic common hip problems, it’s easy to misread the cause. In some cases, the issue begins in the spine, and recognizing this connection early can make a real difference in your recovery.
The Basics of Lumbar Spinal Stenosis
The lumbar spine creates a canal that protects the spinal cord and the nerve roots traveling into your hips and legs. When that canal begins to narrow, the nerves lose space and can become irritated or compressed.
This narrowing is called lumbar spinal stenosis. It often develops slowly, especially as the spine undergoes natural wear and tear over time. Degenerative disc changes, osteoarthritis, thickened ligaments, herniated discs, and bone spurs can all reduce the room inside the spinal canal.
Because stenosis develops slowly, many people don’t notice symptoms right away, but the structural changes continue to progress over time.
How Lumbar Stenosis Can Cause Hip Pain
Although lumbar spinal stenosis originates in the lower spine, the discomfort it causes can be felt elsewhere. This happens because the nerves that supply sensation to the hip travel through the lumbar spine.
When the spinal canal narrows and those nerves become compressed, the brain may perceive the signal as hip pain. This is known as referred pain, a phenomenon that often leads people to focus on the pain in the hip even when it’s caused by something else entirely.
These patterns can show up in everyday life. Pain may build during walking or standing, then ease when you sit or lean forward, such as resting on a shopping cart.
How To Tell if Hip Pain Is Actually Coming From the Spine
When hip pain originates from the hip joint, it typically manifests deep in the groin. Many people describe it as an ache that feels “inside” the joint, especially during movements like getting in or out of a car.
Spine-related hip pain feels very different. It often shows up on the outer thigh, upper buttock, or side of the hip because the irritated lumbar nerves send signals along these pathways.
Examining how hip pain and spine-related pain often co-occur can help clarify what your body is trying to communicate.
How To Tell if Hip Pain Is Actually Coming From the Spine
When hip pain originates from the hip joint, it typically manifests deep in the groin. Many people describe it as an ache that feels “inside” the joint, especially during movements like getting in or out of a car.
Spine-related hip pain feels very different. It often shows up on the outer thigh, upper buttock, or side of the hip because the irritated lumbar nerves send signals along these pathways.
Examining how hip pain and spine-related pain often co-occur can help clarify what your body is trying to communicate.
True Hip Pain
Spine-Related Hip Pain
Pain Location
Deep in the groin or front of the hip
Outer thigh, upper buttock, or side of the hip
Pain Character
Sharp or aching with hip movement
Radiating or spreading sensation that may trace down the leg
Positions That Help
Light walking or standing upright
Sitting or leaning forward (like resting on a cart)
Associated Sensations
Stiffness, catching, or clicking
Numbness, tingling, or a “heavy” feeling in the leg
Common Triggers
Weight-bearing or hip rotation
Prolonged standing, walking, or arching the back
Treatment Options and When To See a Specialist
Most people with lumbar spinal stenosis find meaningful relief through non-surgical care. With the right plan, pressure on the affected nerves can lessen, reducing pain and restoring mobility.
Physical therapy is one of the most helpful starting points. Targeted exercises strengthen supporting muscles and improve the way the spine and hips work together. This promotes better alignment and strength that reduces strain on compressed nerves.
Medications like nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) may help alleviate irritation and ease discomfort, allowing you to move more freely. At home, simple adjustments, such as modifying certain postures or incorporating gentle stretching exercises, can also help alleviate your discomfort.
When symptoms persist despite these efforts, your provider may recommend injections to reduce inflammation around the affected nerves. These injections can help calm irritated tissue and create a window of relief, allowing therapy to be more effective.
Surgical intervention is reserved for situations where symptoms significantly limit daily function or fail to respond to conservative care. Decompression procedures remove portions of bone or tissue that encroach on the spinal canal, creating more space around the nerves and relieving pressure.
Start Moving Toward a More Comfortable Life
Hip pain isn’t always caused by a problem in the hip itself. In many cases, the underlying issue begins with the spine, causing discomfort that extends into the hip or leg.
If pain is affecting your mobility, daily routines, or sleep, it’s time for a thorough evaluation. An accurate diagnosis can bring relief and give you confidence about your next steps.
At Accident Clinics of Memorial Park, we provide physician-led, comprehensive care for auto-related and musculoskeletal injuries, including conditions affecting the spine and nerves. Our team focuses on accurate diagnosis and personalized treatment for your long-term recovery.
You deserve to feel better. If you’re unsure where your hip pain is coming from, we’re here to help. Reach out today to schedule a visit.