A pinched nerve in hip occurs when surrounding tissues, e.g., tendons, cartilage, or bones apply too much pressure on a given nerve. The pressure being exerted by the surrounding tissues leads to a disruption of the nerves function leading to weakness, pain, tingling, or numbness. You should be able to recover from a pinched nerve in hip in a few days with proper rest and conservative treatments.
Pinched nerve in hip joint
Many people often visit doctors with the aim of obtaining help for a pinched nerve in the hip joint. The condition can cause a lot of pain. It could be caused by a problem that is present in the soft tissues surrounding your hip joint.
When the problem is emanating from the hip joint; you will likely experience symptoms like groin pain on the side that is affected. There are cases where the pain may start traveling down towards your knees. This could make it very difficult for you to walk.
Continued activity may also lead to an increase the severity of the pain. You should be able to relieve the pain by taking rest breaks every once in a while.
Pinched nerve in hip and buttocks
There are various factors that can cause you to experience a pinched nerve in your hip and buttocks. Your sciatic nerve could become trapped at your spine because of a herniated disc or the presence of arthritis in your spine. There are instances where it may also become pinched by your piriformis muscle.
Cyclists and runners are highly prone to this particular condition. Its symptoms include:
- An ache in your buttocks when resting in the evening
- Experiencing pain between your hamstring muscle and the buttocks
- Sitting for extended periods of time will lead to soreness
- Experiencing soreness when standing after sitting down for long duration
Pinched nerve in hip flexor
The hip joint comprises of a socket and a ball. The ball can be found sitting on top of the thigh bone or the femur. The round portion is referred to as the femur head.
A femur head should perfectly fit in your pelvis socket. Your joint is surrounded by a capsule that comprises of very strong connective tissues. The capsule’s main role is to make sure that your ball stays inside the socket. This is what is ordinarily supposed to occur.
In case you experience pain in your hip, it could be an indication that you are experiencing a pinchy hip. The condition is mainly associated with pulling the knees in an upward direction. The blocked joint movements are likely to arise when there is a bone malformation.
The malformation could be involving your socket and ball. It is a condition that can affect any person regardless of whether you are young or old. It can be very painful and can also limit your movements.
Pinched nerve in hip symptoms
The signs and symptoms of a nerve that has become pinched include:
- Frequent feeling indicating that your foot may have fallen asleep
- Decreased sensation or numbness in your hip region
- Muscle weakness in the entire region that is affected
- Burning, aching, or sharp pain that is radiating in an outward direction
- Tingling needles and pins sensations
Problems relating to a nerve that has become pinched could worsen when you are asleep.
Risk factors for pinched nerve in hip
- Gender–Women are at an increased risk of developing this problem because of having smaller carpal tunnels
- bone spurs—trauma that may lead to your bones becoming thick
- Thyroid disease—a person suffering from this disease will be at an increased risk of developing the carpal tunnel syndrome
Pinched nerve in hip treatment
A nerve that has become pinched could cause a lot of discomfort in your hip region. The NIH defines a pinched nerve as injury or damage that has occurred on your nerve via stretching, constriction, or compression. Failure to treat the pinched nerve condition could lead to development of peripheral neuropathy.
A person suffering from this condition should consider any of the following types of treatments:
1. Medication
Two kinds of treatments, i.e., corticosteroid injections and nonsteroidal inflammation drugs may be used to treat this condition, according to Mayo Clinic. The drugs can be purchased over the counter without a prescription. Corticosteroid injections are recommended in instances where the pain is too severe.
2. Surgery
It is another treatment option that can be recommended if the pinched nerve makes it difficult for you to walk around. Your doctor could recommend the surgical option if the other available treatment options have not been able to alleviate your symptoms. The surgical procedure will be undertaken with an aim to providing more room for your nerves.
Provision of more room for the nerve will help prevent its compression. Some of the bones may have to be removed to provide the room that is needed.
3. Physical therapy
The goal of this physical therapy will be to strengthen the around the nerve that has become pinched. This is achieved by performing exercises that assist in alleviating the pressure being placed on the affected nerve. Your physical therapist could also help you in making changes aimed at removing the stress that is on this nerve.
There could come a time where you will need to use a brace. The brace will aid in improving your mobility.
How to get rid of a pinched nerve in hip – Home remedies
The following are home remedies to help you get rid of a pinched nerve in your hip. They include:
1. Get proper rest
You need to relax the region that is affected to relieve the pain you are experiencing. You will need to avoid overworking or straining your hip. Try and take a break every once in a while.
The human body uses the resting periods to repair damages that could have taken place in your system. Reducing the amount of heavy lifting performed can also aid in getting rid of the pinched nerve in hip.
2. Use a splint
There are times it will make sense to place a splint on your hip. If you can place it on your hip, and still be able to move about, go ahead and do so. This splint will make it easier for you to move. You can, therefore, be in a position to perform small chores.
3. Use ice and heat
Interchanging the use of a heating pad and an ice pack may also assist with the pain. The ice pack should be wrapped using a clean cloth before being placed on the region that is affected. Ensure you do the same for the heat pad.
The purpose of the ice will be to reduce inflammation that could be present. The heating pad will aid in enhancing blood circulation on the affected hip.
4. Wear shoes that are comfortable
A critical look at your daily shoes can assist in providing a lot of information. For instance, ladies who wear heels on a daily basis could be slowly killing their hip joints. You should always wear shoes that provide your feet with the needed support without compromising on your comfort.
5. Shed the extra pounds
Losing weight is a precautionary measure that may at first seem unjustifiable, but is one that is entirely legitimate. The excess weight on your body will place a lot of strain on your hip joints. This will then lead to your nerves becoming pinched; something that could end up being very painful for you.
Pinched nerve in hip exercises
Pain emanating in your hips because of a pinched nerve could temporary, or it could be long-term due to a condition like sciatica. The condition occurs when your sciatic nerve is trapped between two muscles. Stretching will aid in loosening and lengthening muscles that could be placing pressure on your nerves.
1. Piriformis stretch
The piriformis refers to a small muscle located in your lower back, which then attaches to your pelvis. Piriformis syndrome is the primary reason why people experience pain in the hips. The syndrome is a result of a tight piriformis muscle placing pressure on your sciatic nerve.
What to do at home
- Sit tall in your chair. Confirm that your feet are firmly placed on the floor
- If experiencing pain on your right side, proceed to take the right ankle and slowly put it a top the left knee
- The ankle bone should be lying at least an inch or two above the knee cap
- The right knee should be allowed to fall to the sides
- Proceed to lean forward until you experience a stretch in the right side outer hip as well as on the right side lower back
- Hold the position for at least twenty seconds before releasing
2. Outer hip stretch
When the hip muscles become tight, they can end up placing pressure on your underlying nerves thereby causing a lot of pain.
What to do at home
- Lie down and extend your legs
- Identify the side where you are experiencing pain
- Bend the knee on this side
- As you do so, try and bring the bended knee towards the chest
- Proceed to interlace the fingers below your kneecap
- Try and pull the knee closer to the chest
- While pulling, move it slightly outwards to face the shoulders
- Hold the position for ten seconds
Article Resources:
- (2016, October 4). Overview of upper extremity peripheral nerve syndrome
- National Institute of Neurological Diseases and Stroke. (2016, October). Pinched Nerve
http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/pinchednerve/pinchednerve.htm?css
- Merck Manual Professional Version. (2015). Overview and Evaluation of Nerve and Hand Disorders.
- The Fix Program. (N.D). why does the front of my hip pinch?