Pain Above Left Hip on the Side, Back, and Abdomen

Pain above left hip causes

Less serious causes

A few of the less serious causes of pain above the left hip will resolve on their own without treatment. However, many conditions require medical attention.

Arthritis

Arthritis is a condition that causes swelling, stiffness, and sometimes severe pain in one or more of the body’s joints. Several types of arthritis can cause pain above the hip.

Possible causes of arthritis include wear and tear or age-related breakdown of bone in the body. In some cases, arthritis is caused by disease.

Bursitis

Bursitis causes inflammation of small fluid-filled sacs (called bursae) that pad your bones, including those in your hip. Most cases of bursitis in the hip are caused by repetitive motions or positions that irritate a joint’s bursae, such as running.

Celiac disease

Celiac disease is caused by an allergic reaction to eating gluten that affects the small intestine, causing pain and discomfort in the abdomen. Gluten is a protein found in wheat, barley, and rye.

Doctors aren’t certain exactly what causes celiac disease, but some risk factors include having a family history of the condition, autoimmune thyroid disease, and Addison’s disease.

Crohn’s disease

Crohn’s disease causes inflammation of the digestive tract, causing pain in the abdomen. Doctors don’t know the exact cause, but some risk factors may put you at risk for Crohn’s disease, such as, having autoimmune issues, having a family history of Crohn’s disease, and being of Jewish European descent.

Diverticulitis

Diverticulitis is a condition causing inflammation or infection of the small pouches (called diverticula) that line the digestive system. This often causes pain in the left side of the abdomen. Diverticulitis occurs when these pouches tear.

Muscle strain or stitch

Muscle strains are a severe pulling or overextension of a muscle. If a strain occurs on the left side of the body, it may cause pain above the left hip. This can also be caused by side stitches, a common and temporary athletic injury.

Pinched nerve

A pinched nerve in the lower back occurs when a nerve becomes compressed by surrounding body tissues, often causing pain near the hip and in the legs.

Common causes of a pinched nerve include arthritis, herniated disc, and an injury.

Polymyalgia rheumatica

Polymyalgia rheumatica is an inflammatory condition that causes muscle pain and stiffness, often worsening in the mornings. Causes aren’t clear but are likely to include advanced age, environmental factors, and genetics.

Sacroiliac joint dysfunction and sacroiliitis

The sacroiliac joints are found where your lower spine and pelvis meet, near the hips. Sacroiliac joint dysfunction occurs when there is flawed movement in at least one of the sacroiliac joints.

Common causes of sacroiliac joint dysfunction include arthritis, infection, pregnancy, and traumatic injury.

Serious causes

Bone cancer

Bone cancer, or unusual bone growth, can be benign or malignant. In some cases, the growth can become aggressive and spread to other parts of the body, like the hips and abdomen. This can cause pain and a hard mass in the bones.

Hernia

An abdominal wall hernia is a condition caused by the protrusion of part of the intestine through a weak spot in the abdominal muscles. This can cause severe pain that worsens when you cough or strain.

Kidney stones

Kidney stones are hard mineral deposits that form in the kidneys, located at the back side of your body above your hips. They may cause radiating pain in the lower abdomen and groin.

Pancreatic cancer

Pancreatic cancer is cancer of the organ that lies behind the bottom of your stomach (the pancreas). If left untreated, pancreatic tumors can cause upper abdominal pain.

Female-only causes and symptoms

There are some causes of pain above the left hip that can only affect females. These include:

Ectopic pregnancy

Ectopic pregnancy happens when a fertilized egg attaches itself to the outside of the uterus instead of the inside. This condition can lead to an emergency if left untreated. It can cause intense abdominal and side pain.

Endometriosis

Endometriosis is a painful condition causing an additional growth of uterine tissue outside of the uterine lining. It can cause severe pain, particularly in the pelvic area.

Menstrual pain

Menstrual pain (dysmenorrhea) affects many people who menstruate, sometimes causing widespread abdominal pain.

Menstrual cramps are triggered by hormonal changes associated with menstruation. However, some conditions affecting the female reproductive tract, such as endometriosis, may worsen menstrual pain.

Ovarian cyst

Ovarian cysts are sacs filled with fluid that may grow on a person’s ovaries and cause pain in the abdomen. In most cases, these cysts are harmless and may not even cause symptoms. However, some women experience pain and heaviness in the abdomen.

Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID)

Pelvic inflammatory disease is a serious infection affecting the female reproductive system. Often, it causes no symptoms at first, but if untreated, it can cause severe abdominal pain.

Male-only causes and symptoms

There is one cause of pain above the left hip that can only affect men:

Prostate cancer

Prostate cancer is a growth that affects the prostate gland, which produces sperm. Some cases of prostate cancer are slow-growing and cause few symptoms. Others are more painful, serious, and aggressive. If the cancer has spread to the bones, such as the hip, it can result in severe pain in that area.

How to diagnose pain above the left hip

To diagnose the cause of pain above your left hip, a doctor will start by asking you about your symptoms and medical history. They will also perform a physical exam, looking closely at your left hip area.

They may run tests to better determine the cause of your pain. These include:

• Blood, joint fluid, and urine tests. Testing the body’s fluids can reveal abnormalities that indicate disease in the blood, bones, and urinary tract.
• Endoscopy. Upper and lower endoscopy may be suggested if a doctor suspects a digestive disorder. This can also help reveal signs of infection.
• Imaging tests. CT scans, ultrasounds, MRIs, and X-rays can reveal cancers, cysts, deformities, and bone fractures.

Depending on what the doctor finds, they may refer you to a specialist who can better diagnose and treat the cause of your pain above your left hip. These specialists may include:

• gastroenterologist, specializes in digestive health
• obstetrician-gynecologist, specializes in women’s health
• oncologist, specializes in cancers
• orthopedist, specializes in bone health
• urologist, pecializes in male reproductive and urinary tract health

Treatment for pain above left hip

The kind of treatment you need for the pain above your left hip depends on the cause. Treatment may include:

• antibiotics to clear infections such as diverticulitis and PID
• chemotherapy and radiation to treat cancer
• lifestyle changes such as a change in diet, quitting smoking, and increased exercise to treat conditions like Crohn’s disease and side stitches
• medications like NSAIDs to reduce symptoms of dysmenorrhea
• rest for mild causes of pain above the left hip, such as muscle strains and side stitches
• surgery to treat certain cancers, remove cysts or the appendix, and repair fractures

Takeaway

Most causes of pain above the left hip are not immediate emergencies and are easily treatable. Paying attention to all of your symptoms can help lead you and a doctor to a treatment that will resolve your pain.

If you’re concerned about your pain above the left hip and don’t already have a primary care professional, you can view doctors in your area through the Healthline FindCare tool.

3 Yoga Poses for Tight Hips