Back pain is the most common cause for people being on disability or calling into work.
Lower back and hip pain can be caused by injuries, overuse, and even chronic conditions. With so many different causes for this ailment, it should come as no surprise that so many people are impacted!
So, what causes lower back and hip pain?
Keep reading to learn more as we dive into specific causes for lower back and hip pain.
What Causes Lower Back and Hip Pain?
Lower back and hip pain are ailments that many people deal with during their lives.
There are many different events or conditions that can cause lower back and hip pain. Here are a few:
Strain or Sprain
A sprain is typically caused by a sudden motion.
If you twist, bend, or otherwise move wrong, a sprain can happen in your lower back or hips. A ligament sprain is caused by overstretching the ligament, which ultimately causes it to tear.
The ligament is what connects your bones.
A strain is a little bit different than a sprain. Where a sprain is the tearing of the ligament, a strain is when the muscle itself tears. Although a sprain and a strain are two different injuries, they are treated the same and show the same symptoms.
Strains and sprains are often caused by…
- Twisting your back
- Lifting heavy objects
- Extended periods of time with poor posture
- Force or impact
If you think you’ve strained or sprained your lower back or hip, make an appointment with a DOL doctor to get checked out.
Chronic Lower Back Pain
While lower back pain can be caused by an event, there are many chronic conditions that cause it as well.
Some of these are:
Degenerative Disc Disease
When we’re first born, our intervertebral discs are the healthiest they will ever be.
This is because the discs are full of water. With degenerative disc disease, as you age the discs lose moisture. This causes them to be weaker and more prone to tears or herniation.
Osteoarthritis
When the disk and facet joints experience wear and tear, this can cause osteoarthritis.
This can cause pain as well as inflammation and instability.
Infection
Infection is less common than the previous conditions, but it’s still a cause for lower back and hip pain.
A spinal infection can cause life-threatening illness, and even death if not treated quickly and properly. A spinal infection can be caused by complications in a surgical procedure, injection, or a weakened immune system.
Autoimmune Condition
Autoimmune conditions can cause back pain in many people with the illness.
Conditions like fibromyalgia, lupus, or rheumatoid arthritis have been shown to cause lower back pain. Back pain often results from the chronic pain caused by these types of conditions.
If your back pain is caused by an autoimmune disease, it would be wise to talk with your doctor about possible treatment options.
What’s Causing Your Lower Back and Hip Pain?
Having lower back and hip pain is not only painful, but it can get in the way of your daily life.
So, what causes lower back and hip pain? Most commonly, strains, sprains, or underlying conditions.
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