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Because the hip and spine work so closely together, pain from one area often spreads to the other, making it difficult to tell where the problem really began. This overlap is more common than many people realize. In fact, a condition known as hip-spine syndrome is a disorder in which aching back pain is worse when standing and is traced back to tendons and ligaments in the hip. 

Continue reading to learn what symptoms suggest that your lower back pain may actually be coming from your hip, how the best orthopedic surgeon in Las Vegas can tell the difference between hip and spine conditions, and what treatment options can help.

Could Your Hip Be Causing Your Lower Back Pain?

Many people are surprised to learn that a hip problem can cause pain that feels like it starts in the lower back. This can happen because the hip joint and the lumbar spine share muscles, ligaments, and nerves that work together every time you stand, walk, bend, or climb stairs. When the hip is not moving normally because of arthritis, a labral tear, or another injury, the lower back often compensates by working harder. Over time, that extra strain can create pain in the lumbar region even though the hip is the primary source of the problem.

One of the biggest clues is where the pain appears during daily activities. People with hip-related pain often describe aching in the groin, buttock, or outer hip that spreads into the lower back. Many also notice stiffness after sitting, pain when getting out of a car, or discomfort while putting on socks or shoes because these movements require the hip to rotate. 

Hip Pain vs. Lower Back Pain: How Can You Tell the Difference?

The location of your pain and the movements that trigger it can help distinguish a hip problem from a spinal condition, although there is often some overlap. In general, hip pain is more likely to affect the groin, front of the thigh, buttock, or outside of the hip. Pain from the lumbar spine more commonly stays in the lower back or travels down the leg, especially if a nerve is irritated.

What Hip Conditions Can Mimic Lower Back Problems?

Several hip conditions can produce symptoms that can seem like they’re coming from the back:

• Hip osteoarthritis is one of the most common causes, particularly in adults over age 50. This happens as the joint becomes less smooth, and the body changes the way it moves to avoid pain. That altered movement places additional stress on the lower back. 
• Femoroacetabular impingement (FAI) or a labral tear, both of which can cause deep aching pain in the hip, groin, buttock, or lower back, are more common in younger and highly active adults. 
• Soft tissue injuries, including gluteal tendinopathy, hip bursitis, and hip flexor strains, may all create pain along the outside of the pelvis or into the buttock.

Best Treatment Options for a Hip That Is Causing Lower Back Pain

Treatment depends on your specific diagnosis, the severity of your condition, and your activity level. Many patients improve with a combination of activity modification, targeted physical therapy, anti-inflammatory medication, and non-surgical regenerative therapies. 

When structural problems continue to limit function despite conservative care, hip surgery may be necessary. In these cases, minimally invasive hip arthroscopy can address certain labral tears and impingement in carefully selected patients. Advanced arthritis may eventually require hip replacement. 

Finding the Best Hip Surgeon in Southern California 

The hip joint and lower back work so closely together that conditions such as hip arthritis, labral tears, or femoroacetabular impingement can create pain that feels like it belongs in the lumbar spine. Identifying the true source of your symptoms is often the key to finding lasting relief and avoiding treatments that do not address the underlying problem.

The team at San Diego Performance Orthopedics & Regenerative Therapy focuses on finding the source of your back pain through a careful evaluation of how your hip and spine work together rather than relying on imaging alone. We welcome patients from Leucadia, Del Mar, Solana Beach, Cardiff, Carlsbad, Oceanside, Torrey Pines, throughout North San Diego County, and across Southern California at our Encinitas clinic. Our team is led by Dr. Sanjum Samagh, who completed advanced fellowship training in orthopedic sports medicine with specialized training in hip arthroscopy, giving him extensive experience diagnosing and treating complex hip conditions that are frequently mistaken for back problems. 

Whether your goal is returning to competitive sports, staying active, or simply moving comfortably again, we tailor treatment to your diagnosis and your lifestyle. Ready to fix the root of your back pain with the best orthopedic surgeon in Southern California?