Question - Back/Hip Pain (car accident)

(Smithland KY)

I was involved in a car accident five months ago and have had back and hip pain ever since. My physical therapist thought that I have sacroiliac joint dysfunction, but I recently went for an MRI and found out I have two bulging discs, in L4 and L5.

Will the bulging discs, make my lower back into my tailbone and my right hip hurt like it does? I hurt when I walk, set, stand for to long and when I sleep at night, I can never get a good nights sleep. I am so tired of this pain, can you give me any information on this?

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Question - Back/Hip Pain (car accident)

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Aug 26, 2008
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Do you have radiating pain?
by: Bart - SII

Disc injury can cause pain like you describe, but so does SI joint dysfunction - the key lies in whether you have radiating pain.

Does your pain radiate down into your lower thigh, lower leg, or foot? Do you have numbness, tingling, or altered sensation?

These are the common signs that the disc problem is contributing to your pain. If you do not have radiating pain, it could be your sacroiliac joint causing the problem, rather than the discs.

While disc problems are serious, they often are not the cause of pain in the low back and hips, especially in active and otherwise healthy individuals. Many people have disc issues that would show up on an MRI simply because of an active lifestyle - the wear and tear of sports over many years. Yet the discs are not what is causing the pain - it is the SI joint dysfunction, which ultimately comes down to proper lumbar and thoracic spine mobility, hip and core strength and pelvic stabilization.

No matter whether it is your discs or the SI joint, the treatment is relatively similiar - focusing on improving mobility and flexibility with good hip and core strengthening.

Bart