Left hip pain: causes and treatment?

Article by Master, Doctor Mai Vien Phuong - Gastrointestinal endoscopist - Department of Medical Examination & Internal Medicine - Vinmec Central Park International General Hospital.

There are many possible causes of left hip pain. In some cases, the pain can be caused by a medical condition or injury that affects a completely different part of your body.

Causes of left hip pain include:
Less serious causes: Arthritis, bursitis, celiac disease, Crohn's disease, diverticulitis, muscle strain, osteomyelitis, pinched nerve, polymyositis Rheumatoid arthritis, sacrococcygeal dysfunction can cause pain in the left hip. Serious causes: Bone cancer, hernia, Ilium fracture, kidney stone, left appendicitis, leukemia, pancreatic cancer. Causes of left hip pain in women: Ectopic pregnancy, endometriosis dysmenorrhea, ovarian cysts, pelvic inflammatory disease (PID). Causes of left hip pain in men: Prostate cancer is the cause of left hip pain in men. 2. Symptoms accompanying left hip pain 2.1. Less severe symptoms Some less serious causes of left hip pain go away on their own without treatment. However, many conditions require medical attention such as:
Arthritis : Arthritis is a condition that causes swelling, stiffness, and severe pain in one or more joints of the body. There are several types of arthritis that can cause left hip pain. Accompanying symptoms you may experience include: Redness, reduced range of motion, stiffness, swelling. Bursitis: Bursitis causes inflammation of the small fluid-filled sacs (called bursae) that cushion your bones, including those in your hips. Bursitis symptoms include pain, redness, and stiffness in the joints Celiac disease: Celiac disease is caused by an allergic reaction to gluten that affects the small intestine, causing pain and discomfort in the abdomen. Other common symptoms of celiac disease include abdominal pain, anemia, bloating, constipation, diarrhea, fatigue, itchy skin and rash, nausea, nervous system problems, weight loss, vomiting. Crohn: Crohn's disease causes inflammation of the digestive tract and abdominal pain. Other symptoms of Crohn's disease include: Abdominal cramps, bloody stools, delayed growth and sexual development (in children), diarrhea, eye inflammation, arthritis, fatigue, fever, sores mouth, decreased appetite, weight loss Diverticulitis: Diverticulitis causes inflammation or infection of the small sacs in the digestive system. This usually causes pain on the left side of the abdomen. Other symptoms of diverticulitis include: Constipation, diarrhea, fever, nausea, tender abdomen, vomiting Muscle tension: Muscle strain is a condition in which a muscle is stretched. If the strain occurs on the left side of the body, it can cause left hip pain. Other symptoms of muscle strain such as bruising, limited movement, muscle spasms, muscle weakness, pain when breathing, redness, swelling Pinched nerve: A pinched nerve in the lower back occurs when a nerve is compressed by surrounding body tissue, often causing pain near the hip and in the leg. Other pinched nerve symptoms such as burning sensation, muscle weakness, tingling, or pins and needles Sacroiliac joint dysfunction and osteomyelitis: The sacral joints are found in the lower spine and pelvis of the patient. you meet, near the hip. Sacrococcygeal dysfunction occurs when there is an error of movement in at least one of the sacroiliac joints.

2.2. Severe Symptoms Osteomyelitis: Osteomyelitis can occur when bacteria enter the bone. In addition to pain in the affected bone, other symptoms may include fatigue, fever, redness, swelling, and heat at the site of infection. Bone cancer: Bone cancer that has spread to other organs will cause pain in that location. Hernia: An inguinal hernia is a condition in which the intestine protrudes through a weakness in the abdominal muscles. This can cause a lot of pain. Pelvic Fracture: A pelvic fracture is a break in the large upper part of the pelvis. Fractures can be mild, moderate, or severe. Symptoms may include fatigue, fever, redness, and swelling at the fracture site. Kidney stones: Kidney stones are hard mineral deposits that form in the kidneys, located in the back of your body, above your hips. Kidney stones can cause symptoms such as increased urination, nausea, pain in the lower abdomen and groin, smelly or cloudy urine, and vomiting. Appendicitis: Appendicitis causes the appendix to become painfully inflamed suddenly, which can be fatal if left untreated. The appendix is ​​located on the right side of the abdomen, but in very rare cases it can cause left hip pain. Other symptoms include bloating, constipation, diarrhea, fever that gets worse over time, bloating, loss of appetite, nausea and vomiting. Leukemia: Leukemia is a cancer of the body's blood-forming tissues, which can cause pain in the bones. Other symptoms may include: easy bruising or bleeding, chills, enlarged liver or spleen, fever, frequent infections, nosebleeds, red spots on the skin called petechiae, sweating (especially at night), swollen lymph nodes. Pancreatic cancer: Pancreatic cancer is cancer of the organ behind the bottom of your stomach (pancreas). If left untreated, pancreatic tumors can cause hip pain. Other symptoms include newly developed diabetes, fatigue, loss of appetite, unintentional weight loss, and yellowing of the skin and eyes. 3. How to diagnose and treat left hip pain To diagnose the cause of pain above your left hip, your doctor will start by asking you about your symptoms and medical history. They will also perform a physical exam, taking a close look at your left hip area.
They can run tests to better determine the cause of your pain. These include:
Blood, joint fluid, and urine tests: Testing the body's fluids can detect abnormalities that indicate disease in the blood, bones, and urinary tract. Endoscopy: An endoscopic procedure that involves inserting a long camera tube down the throat or up from the anus to look inside the stomach or intestines. This can allow signs of infection or digestive disorders to be detected. Imaging tests: CT scans, ultrasounds, MRIs, and X-rays can detect cancers, cysts, deformities, and fractures. In some cases, left hip pain is a major cause for concern. However, in most cases, the disease can be easily treated with rest or using an over-the-counter NSAID.
Most causes of left hip pain are not immediate emergencies and are easily treatable. However, you need to watch for accompanying symptoms to help you see a doctor in time.

References:
Low back pain Fact sheet. (2018). ninds.nih.gov/Disorders/Patient-Caregiver-Education/Fact-Sheets/Low-Back-Pain-Fact-Sheet Mayo Clinic Staff. (2018). Arthritis. mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/arthritis/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20350777 Mayo Clinic Staff. (2018). Herniated disk. mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/herniated-disk/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20354101