It can be extremely confusing to figure out the difference between hip and SI (sacroiliac) joint pain. But being able to identify which one is the culprit is crucial when you are looking to find relief. Your SI joint connects your tailbone (sacrum) and your pelvis.

The SI joint is very fibrous and only moves a few millimeters. On the other hand, your hip is much less stable and allows your entire leg to move in every plane of motion.

Why It Matters:
While the hip and SI joints are very different in structure and function, they share similar pain patterns, making it difficult to tell one from the other. It’s common to have SI joint pain mimic low back pain. Bending backward usually aggravates SI joint pain due to the compression that happens in the joint as you move. Hip pain is more likely to occur when you walk or try to bring your knees to your chest.

• Hip Pain: characterized by pain with walking, weight-bearing, and rotating the leg
• SI Joint Pain: characterized by difficulties while standing, walking, climbing stairs, and getting out of the car.
• Low Back Pain: characterized by pain that radiates into the buttock or leg and may travel down to the foot.

Next Steps:
Suppose you’ve felt discomfort and aren’t exactly sure if it’s your hip, SI joint, or low back- it’s important to schedule a complete evaluation to determine the source of your pain. This is important because our hips tend to become degenerative as we age, and if your doctor is only looking at a hip X-ray to determine a plan of care, you may find yourself getting treatment for a problem you don’t have.

At our practice, we take a holistic approach to our evaluations, and our movement assessments ensure that we can pinpoint your challenges so that you get the best care plan to live your highest quality of life.

Science Source:
(1) Sacroiliac Joint Dysfunction. Spine-Health 2021