Nerve related sudden hip pain
Sharp, shooting pains are common with nerve injury or nerve entrapments around the hip or in the lumbar spine (lower back).
Sharp hip pain from peripheral nerves
Peripheral nerves (nerves outside the spine) that supply or run through the hip and buttock may become painful from too much stretch, compression or friction along their pathways. This may happen where they run through or between muscles, over bones or through tunnels.
Normal movement of nerves can also sometimes become restricted in scar tissue related to a previous injury or surgery.
Location of nerve pain at the hip
Sharp pain related to a peripheral nerve will generally be felt in the area of nerve injury or entrapment. Pain may shoot from this point along the line of the nerve, or into the area of skin served by the nerve. Check the graphic below for areas of peripheral nerve supply around the hip.
You can find detailed images of the nerves and the area of skin they supply here.
Symptoms of nerve pain around the hip
Sudden sharp hip pain can certainly be related to nerves – this is usually referred to as neuralgia. Sharp hip pain related to nerve is most commonly felt when the nerve is stretched. The type of position that causes pain will depend on the particular nerve.
- Pain related to nerves at the front of the hip and pelvis (including femoral, ilioinguinal, iliohypogastric and genitofemoral nerves) will usually be felt when the front of the hip is put on stretch, for example:
- hip flexor stretch
- walking with large strides
- long lunge (back hip)
- wind up for kicking
- backward bending
- Pain related to nerves at the back of the hip and pelvis (including sciatic, posterior femoral cutaneous and cluneal nerves) will usually be felt when the back of the hip is put on stretch, for example:
- hamstring (back of thigh) and/or buttock stretching
- sitting, particularly in a slumped position with legs outstretched
- kicking – follow through phase
- forward bending
- Pain related to nerves at the side of the hip (including ilioinguinal, iliohypogastric, lateral femoral cutaneous, and gluteal nerves) will usually be felt when the side of the hip is put on stretch, for example:
- ITB or trunk side stretch
- sitting with legged crossed
- side bending of the body (stretched side)
There are other symptoms that are often experienced with neuralgia:
- a burning sensation
- odd zings or zaps of pain
- strange sensations such as itching, ‘skin crawling’ or ‘water trickling’ sensations
- tingling (pins and needles) or numbness
- weakness – only for those nerves that supply muscles, like the femoral, sciatic or gluteal nerves.
Weakness generally only occurs where there is quite significant impingement of a peripheral nerve. The smaller sensory fibres are always affected first, so pain and sensory disturbance (weird feelings or lack of sensation) are the main symptoms. Weakness can also occur where there has been direct trauma to the nerve, through injury or a surgical procedure.
What are some of the more common diagnoses related to sharp hip pain from peripheral nerves?
The most commonly diagnosed peripheral nerve related hip pain conditions include:
- sciatica
- deep gluteal syndrome
- piriformis syndrome
- ischial tunnel syndrome
- sciatic nerve entrapment or impingement
- femoral neuralgia
- meralgia paraesthetica (or meralgia paresthetica) – entrapment or injury of the lateral femoral cutaneous nerve
- cluneal neuralgia.
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Sharp hip pain from nerve roots in the lower back (pinched nerve or referred pain)
Nerve related pain felt at the hip can also be due to impingement or irritation of the spinal nerve roots as they leave the lower spine (before forming the peripheral nerves).
This means that a problem like a disc bulge in the lower back can cause pain at the hip and/or anywhere along the pathway of the nerves that arise from that nerve root. This is called radicular pain.
Location of lumbar nerve root pain at the hip
One nerve root in the lower back can contribute to a number of smaller peripheral nerves once it exits the spine. This is why the area of pain will be different to nerve pain from irritation of specific peripheral nerves along their own pathways.
The graphic below highlights a general map of where pain is expected to be felt for the different lumbar nerve roots at each level of the lower back. The longer you’ve had pain for though, the less specific the area of pain becomes.
Symptoms of radicular pain around the hip
Radicular pain at the hip:
- is often, but not always, associated with some lower back pain.

- is not usually localised to a small region of the hip.
- might be experienced as shooting pain through the hip region and down into the thigh, leg and even the foot.
- is commonly aggravated by back movements e.g., bending, twisting, lifting.
- may be accompanied by burning, tingling, numbness and muscle weakness.
You can read more about nerve pain, neuralgia versus radicular pain from the spine, by clicking here.
You can also read more about lower back related hip and pelvic pain by clicking here.
Other causes of sudden, sharp hip pain
Other, less frequent medical conditions may also need to be ruled out when investigating sudden, sharp hip pains:
- hip joint infection (septic arthritis),
- rheumatoid arthritis,
- other types of arthritis such as psoriatic arthritis,
- avascular necrosis,
- gynaecological conditions such as ovarian cysts and endometriosis,
- vascular conditions (blood vessels),
- referral from other structures within the pelvis.
Therefore, it is always worthwhile seeking a medical assessment from a qualified health professional / health provider. Should other investigations be indicated, for example, medical imaging, or blood tests, your medical team will ensure these are performed.
When should I seek emergency care for sudden, sharp hip pain?
If your pain is severe or if your pain continues over several days, you should contact your doctor or physical therapist/physiotherapist. They will do a thorough assessment and develop a plan on to treat your condition.
If you have had a fall, been in some form of accident or sustained a sporting injury, you should seek medical attention immediately if your hip is bleeding significantly, if you can see exposed bone or muscle or if you are unable to put weight through the leg due to the pain.
You should also seek immediate help:
- if the shape of the hip joint appears deformed
- if it is obviously swollen
- if your pain is severe
- if you are unable to move your hip or leg.
Septic arthritis related to an infection within the hip joint is an important condition to diagnose as quickly as possible. Left untreated this condition can result in long term joint damage such as joint deformity and osteoarthritis.
Signs of a hip joint infection include:
- sudden onset of severe hip pain
- fever,
- joint swelling
- warmth and redness around the hip joint.
How is sharp hip pain diagnosed?
Hip pain is diagnosed through:
- a detailed patient interview, including your medical history
- a thorough physical exam of the hip and back region
- imaging studies as required – xrays (radiographs), MRI scan, CT Scan, ultrasound.
Treatment options for sudden hip pain
There are a variety of medical treatment and therapy options for sudden sharp hip pain, depending on the underlying cause and the severity of the condition.
Your general practitioner or an orthopedic surgeon will offer medications, injections or surgical solutions for your hip problems.
A physical therapist / physiotherapist, exercise physiologist, or occupational therapist can offer rehabilitation and help with work or home modifications.
Physical therapists, massage therapists and acupuncturists can also provide hands-on treatments to help with pain in the hip area and lower back pain.
A treatment plan for sharp hip pain might include:
- Physical therapy / physiotherapy
- Advice and education
- Pain management
- Exercise therapy
- Hands on treatments
- Taping
- Workplace assessment
- Exercise Physiology
- Occupational therapy
- Assisting with installing aids around the home – e.g., rails & ramps
- Ergonomic/workplace assessment
- Massage and acupuncture for short term pain relief
- Medication – pain medication, anti-inflammatory medication, nerve calming drugs
- Injections
- Corticosteroid injection / steroid injections
- Local anaesthetic injection
- Epidural injections
- Nerve roots blocks in the lower back
- Radiofrequency neurotomy
- Platelet rich plasma – PRP Injections
- Botox injections to reduce severe muscle spasm
- Surgery
- Hip arthroscopy
- Hip resurfacing surgery
- Total hip replacement surgery
- Spinal surgery
This blog has aimed to summarise many of the possible causes for sudden sharp hip pain, and what treatment options are available.
We strongly advise you seek out the help and advice of a Hip Pain Professional to help you with a diagnosis and treatment program. You can find a healthcare provider with a specific interest in hip and pelvic pain in our directory by clicking here.
Remember that if you struggle to find a health professional that knows hips near to you, you are now able to consult over video conferencing with most professionals globally.
At Hip Pain Help we are here to help you on your journey to recovery.