[18F] Experiencing acute hip pain and nausea with chronic back pain

What might be happening

Based on the information you've provided, possible causes for your symptoms include:

• Hip Flexor Strain: This occurs when one or more of the hip flexor muscles becomes stretched or torn. It's common in individuals who perform a lot of activities involving hip flexion, like doing the splits. The popping sound and immediate sharp pain could be indicative of a severe strain or tear.

  • Treatment typically involves rest, ice, compression, and elevation (RICE). Physical therapy may also be beneficial.

• Hip Labral Tear: This is a tear in the ring of cartilage (labrum) that follows the outside rim of your hip joint socket. Besides causing pain in the hip and buttock, a labral tear can cause a catching sensation in the hip joint.

  • Treatment can range from conservative management with physical therapy and pain management, to surgical intervention in more severe cases.

• Sciatica: This is pain that radiates along the path of the sciatic nerve, which branches from your lower back through your hips and buttocks and down each leg. It usually affects only one side of your body and could be the reason for the pain shooting down your leg.

  • Treatment typically involves physical therapy, pain management, and in some cases, surgery.

The nausea could be a reaction to the intense pain you're experiencing, or it could be unrelated.

What you can do

1. Rest and avoid activities that worsen your pain.
2. Apply ice to the painful area for 15 minutes at a time, several times a day.
3. Over-the-counter pain relievers such as ibuprofen can help manage the pain and inflammation.
4. Gentle stretching exercises can help improve flexibility and reduce pain. However, avoid any movements that cause pain.

What you should look out for

You should seek immediate medical attention if:

• Your pain becomes unbearable
• You develop a fever
• You notice significant swelling or bruising around your hip
• You experience numbness or tingling in your leg
• You have difficulty moving your leg or hip

Remember, this advice is intended to be general in nature, and specific causes may not apply to your situation. Always consult with a healthcare provider for appropriate examination, diagnosis, and treatment.