Injuries to the lower back often cause pain in the back as well as pain in the hip and legs. Inactivity, stress and repetitive movements strain the muscles, bones, joints and ligaments of a person's lower back and hips. Over time, such trauma causes inflammation and pain. A person can apply ice to the affected area to immediately reduce pain and swelling, then seek medical care to reduce risk of further injury.
Sacroiliac Joint Sprain
The sacroiliac joint is where the large, sacral bone of the spine unites with the left and right ilium bones of the pelvis. Injury to the right or left joint usually occurs when a person lands on one leg while her back is bending backward. This causes pain, swelling and tenderness at the lower back, radiating down into the buttocks and thigh. A person's affected ilium also shifts higher than the sacrum, according to Sandra Shultz, Ph.D., and colleagues, in their book "Examination of Musculoskeletal Injuries."
Vertebral Shifting
Spondylolisthesis is a condition in which a spinal vertebra shifts forward from the vertebra directly below it. This shifting of the vertebra causes lower back pain that usually radiates down into the buttocks and the back of the thigh. A person suffering from spondylolisthesis also has swelling and muscle spasms and must refrain from bending backward to reduce pain. Treatment includes pain medicine, use of a stiff back brace and physical therapy to stretch and strengthen muscles and joints, according to MedlinePlus.
Spondylitis
Spondylitis is the inflammation of the joints between the spinal bones, or facets. Repetitive bending, twisting or direct trauma to the spine causes the cartilage of the facet bones to wear away and become inflamed, causing pain. Inflammation of the facets may irritate the nerves exiting the spinal column, inducing pain that radiates down the buttocks and back of the thighs, according to Clevelandclinic.org. A person with spondylitis should undergo physical therapy to correct his posture, improve his flexibility and build his strength. Maintaining correct posture and avoiding excessive bending, twisting and stretching also reduces pain. Anti-inflammatory medicines augment pain reduction.
Sciatica
Sciatica results when the sciatic nerve is irritated either by direct injury or by compression of surrounding structures such as a tight muscle, herniated disc or inflamed spinal cord covering. This causes pain, tingling or numbness in the back, which may radiate down the posterior aspect of the hip, thigh and foot. Treatment for sciatica depends on the cause and may include epidural injections to relieve pain and stretching for tight muscles.
References
- "Examination of Musculoskeletal Injuries"; Sandra Shultz, Ph.D., Peggy Houglum, Ph.D., and David Perrin, Ph.D.; 2005
- American College of Sports Medicine: Causes and Prevention of Back Pain and Injuries
- MedlinePlus: Spondylolisthesis
- Cleveland Clinic: Facet Joint Syndrome
- MedlinePlus: Sciatica
