Persistent Leg Pain That Wouldn't Heal with Lumbar Injections: Turned Out to Be Hip Osteoarthritis

Have you ever experienced a shooting pain extending from your lower back/glutes all the way down your leg?

When these symptoms occur, most people naturally suspect a lumbar herniated disc or spinal stenosis. In fact, many patients undergo intensive treatments focused solely on their lower back, only to find no relief—leaving them frustrated and anxious.

Today, we would like to share a case of a male patient in his late 60s who visited Sohn's Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation Clinic. He had previously been diagnosed with a lumbar disc herniation and spinal stenosis at other clinics and received multiple nerve block injections, but experienced zero improvement.

1. Patient Profile & Previous Treatment History

• Age/Gender: Male in his late 60s

• Chief Complaint: Persistent pain starting from the left buttock extending down below the thigh, lasting for several months.

• Prior Medical History: Visited multiple orthopedic and rehabilitation clinics. Diagnosed with "lumbar disc disease and spinal stenosis" and underwent repeated epidural/nerve block injections with no symptom relief.

When he first arrived at our clinic, he was physically exhausted and emotionally drained due to months of ineffective treatments.

2. Precise Physical Examination & X-rays: The Back Wasn't the Problem!

Pain caused by lumbar nerve compression (sciatica) and hip joint pathology share strikingly similar pain distribution patterns—often leading to frequent misdiagnoses in clinical practice.

However, if lower back treatments yield no results, clinicians must immediately pivot and evaluate the hip joint itself.

💡 Our Diagnostic Approach at Sohn's Clinic

1. Detailed Physical Examination: We performed range-of-motion (ROM) testing and specialized provocative maneuvers for the hip joint (such as the FABER test). This immediately reproduced distinct pain and restricted movement in his left hip joint.

2. X-ray Evaluation: Plain radiographs suggested joint space narrowing and early degenerative changes in the left hip.

Based on these clinical findings, we were confident that the root cause was not in his spine, but in his left hip joint. To confirm the exact pathology, we promptly ordered a Pelvic MRI.

3. Pelvic MRI Findings & Final Diagnosis

Diagnostic Tool	Findings & Diagnosis
Pelvic MRI	Final Diagnosis: Left Hip Osteoarthritis (Lt. Hip OA)

The MRI clearly revealed that the true culprit behind his debilitating pain was osteoarthritis and structural damage within the left hip joint, rather than nerve root compression in the lower back.

Upon seeing the definitive MRI results, the patient expressed immense relief—finally knowing the true cause after months of unnecessary spine injections.

4. Why is Hip Osteoarthritis So Easily Mistaken for a Back Disc Issue?

The hip joint is one of the largest weight-bearing joints in the body. When inflamed or damaged, it radiates pain to the buttock, groin, and anterior/lateral thigh. Because this radiation path overlaps significantly with lumbar nerve root pain, it is easily misattributed to a spinal problem.

This highlights why a meticulous physical exam by an experienced rehabilitation specialist—rather than relying solely on localized pain reports—is vital for an accurate diagnosis.

🏁 Moving Forward & Takeaway

With the correct diagnosis established, we halted unnecessary back interventions and shifted focus entirely to targeted hip rehabilitation and localized therapeutic protocols to reduce pain and restore joint mobility.

"Still suffering from buttock and leg pain despite multiple back injections?"

If your symptoms aren't improving, it's time to re-evaluate your diagnosis and look for underlying causes outside the spine, such as the hip joint.

At Son's Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation & Chiropractic Clinic, we leverage decades of clinical expertise and comprehensive physical examinations to uncover the true cause of your pain.

👍Consultation and Appointment Information

Son PMR & Chiropractic Clinic( 2nd floor, 229-1 Gucheonmyun-Ro, Gangdongu, Seoul, South Korea) 

by  Dr Son MD & DC 
Contact: 02-482-8875 in Seoul( +82-2-482-8875)

chson@daum.net