Pinched nerve at the hip

Introduction

Pressure from outside, excessive strain or poor posture can lead to a pinched nerve at the hip, which is manifested by various complaints, especially in the area of the respective thigh. In most cases, the nerve is not really pinched but only irritated. The doctor can often make a diagnosis based on the described complaints.

If the cause of the pinched nerve is identified and removed, the nerve usually heals completely. However, this can take several weeks and there is a risk that a nerve at the hip will again become trapped. Depending on the trigger, however, this can be prevented to a certain extent.

The causes

The possible causes for the development of an incarceration of a nerve at the hip are different and in many cases remain ultimately unclear. Often there is also not the one trigger but it is an interaction of different factors that leads to the development of the complaints. An important risk factor is for example overweight.

The strain of the high body weight promotes the development of nerve entrapment. A lack of training and weak trunk muscles, as is often the case with people who sit a lot, also increases the risk of a nerve at the hip being trapped. Another risk factor favored by the above is hip joint arthrosis.

The bony attachments to the joint that are sometimes formed in this process can cause nerve irritation. However, young, active and healthy people can also contract a pinched nerve at the hip. On the one hand, excessive strain, for example from weight training, can cause the nerves to become trapped.

On the other hand, too tight trousers and a belt that is adjusted too small can exert external pressure in the area of the hip joint and thus cause the typical complaints. Some doctors also believe that some people have an increased risk of getting pinched nerves simply because of heredity. However, this is difficult to prove and therefore cannot be considered an independent cause.