Persistent pain in hip exacerbated by movements.

Resolved question:
Age: 26 // Sex: M // Height: 6ft // Weight: 190lbs // Race: White // Issue: Hip Pain // Medications: None

I've had a persistent pain in my hip for the last few months. I don't remember exactly when it started and I don't recall any particular event that could have caused it. I'm a decently active person (some sports, some lifting while I finish grad school) but nothing crazy.

It's in my right hip only. I feel it when I'm walking as a kind of dull pain that is exacerbated by certain movements. It's sufficiently aggravating that I sometimes limp. The easiest way to make the pain appear is to try and raise my right leg up, knee locked. The pain will almost immediately kick in, such that I can't raise my foot more than a few inches off the ground before the pain makes me stop. My left leg is not like this. Oddly enough, I can raise my right leg just fine so long as I'm bending the knee. I also can't feel any pain when I sit down. It DOES hurt like heck when I sneeze, I'm guessing because of however the muscles react.

Also, when I sit down in one position, my right leg will start to feel a bit numb. I need to shift position to make the numbness stop. Again, this doesn't happen with my left leg.

Any ideas what this might be?

Submitted: 4 Days
Category: Orthopedic Surgeon

Expert:  Dr. Mukesh Tiwari replied 4 Days.

Hello. Thank you for posting your query at DoctorSpring.com
I have read your question with diligence.
It looks from your details that you may have a prolapsed disc in your back.The ideal features which supports this are-
1.Pain in hip & leg on coughing or sneezing.
2.Pain on walking.
3.Pain on raising the leg with locked knee.
You should do following-
-You should consult to a orthopedic or a neurophysician.
-If problem is severe then have a MRI of spine & pelvis to check for problem at hip and spine.
-Do strict bed rest.
-Do not lift weight ,strictly avoid bending movements.
-Take a good analgesic .I used to give combination of tramadol with paracetamol in such cases.
- A physiotherapist help can also be sought.
Hope this will help you.
Feel free to discuss further,
With best wishes.
Regards

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Patient replied :

Dr. Tiwari,
Thank you very much for responding. I'm wondering if it is normal for a prolapsed disk to cause pain specifically (and somewhat exclusively) in my hip? The pain feels similar to pulling a muscle when it happens -- almost as if I'm stretching something too far. Are there hip-specific conditions that could be causing this, or do the symptoms clearly indicate a prolapsed disk? I have had this condition for nearly 3 months with no change.
Also, is a prolapsed disk the same as sciatica? I understand sciatic causes similar pain. My apologies for the multiple questions.
Best,
Max


Expert:  Dr. Mukesh Tiwari replied 3 Days.

Hello,
There are various other problems related to hip which may also present like this. There can be synovitis of hip joint,pulled hamstring muscles,bursitis of hip joint,piriformis syndrome which can present like this.
Having a MRI scan of that area and lower spine will be very helpful.
Feel free to discuss further,
Regards

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