A Common Hip Surgery Could Help With Lower Back Pain

Lower back pain is a common problem, with 16 million US adults struggling with chronic pain in that area. But now, there may be a hip surgery that helps back pain patients feel better and live healthier and more active lives.

The Hip and Back Pain Connection

There are many different causes for lower back pain, and often the pain extends to one or both hips, as well. For people who are battling both hip and lower back pain, the condition can be very frustrating. A lack of hip alignment, damage to the hips or back, a physical job, sitting incorrectly for long periods, and genetics may contribute to back pain problems.  Many people who have chronic back pain also have pain and problems in their hip joints. Because of that, they are much more likely to struggle with significant pain in both areas. 

How Does Hip Surgery Help?

For people who have both hip and lower back pain hip replacement, a surgical procedure typically performed on people who are 60 or older, may be a game-changing option.

While a hip replacement may not fix the problem if the lower back is the only affected spot, those who have pain interconnected between the back and the hips may have back pain appearing because of issues with their hips. A hip replacement may cure back pain in these cases.

Are There Side Effects and Risks?

As with any surgery, there are side effects and risks to a full hip replacement. The biggest concerns are pain associated with healing, blood clots, and infection. But that doesn’t mean it won’t be worth it — especially if it relieves a long-held pain. For those who have serious and chronic pain, hip replacement surgery may enable them to return to their lives again. They may enjoy things more and be able to do much more than they could before surgery.

It’s possible the hip replacement won’t fully correct the back pain, though, or that the prosthetic joint will also require replacement after a number of years. But advances in medical technology may also mean a hip replacement in someone as young as their 30s may be a lifelong hip that wouldn’t require replacement again.

In any case, the connections between back pain and hip pain are just starting to. be understood, so for those who have one or the other, it might be good to look at the hips to see if a replacement could be a benefit. Anyone who has chronic hip and back pain may want to talk to their doctor about the possibility of a hip replacement for their specific issues. While there’s no guarantee that this is the right option for everyone, it may be a great choice for some, and it's not often considered. Pain relief and an increased range of motion may improve the overall quality of life— and that' what medicine is all about, isn't it?

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