What Causes Pain on the Left Side Above the Hip?

There are a variety of reasons that you might be experiencing left side pain above your hip. The problem could be the result of an injury that might heal on its own. It could also be an indicator of an undiagnosed illness.

People typically experience pains around their body, including the hip area. Persistent left side pain above the hip could be a symptom of an underlying health issue that requires medical treatment. The problem could be the result of an injury that might heal on its own. It could also be an indicator of an undiagnosed illness. 

There are a variety of reasons that you might be experiencing left side pain above your hip. It is a good idea to seek further medical treatment if the problem does not improve, or if it comes and goes over a long period. You could potentially endanger your long-term health by putting off visiting a doctor. 

The pain you feel on the left side above your hip may be the first sign that there is something wrong. Depending on the cause of the pain, you may find yourself experiencing other recurrent symptoms alongside the discomfort above the left side of your hip, including:

• Reduced range of motion in the hip
• Stiffness
• Redness
• Diarrhea
• Constipation
• Nausea and/or Vomiting
• Weight loss
• Blood in stool
• Fatigue
• Joint inflammation
• Lack of appetite
• Tenderness in the abdomen
• Signs of bruising
• Pain when breathing
• Numbness
• Tingling sensation

Many medical reasons can contribute to pain on the left side above your hip. Below are some common health disorders that can cause you to experience this kind of discomfort. 

Arthritis

Arthritis is a disorder that causes pain and swelling in various joints. Certain types of arthritis can result in a feeling of pain above your left hip. 

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic form of arthritis that can affect the hip joints and other joints in the body. RA is the result of your immune system malfunctioning and attacking healthy joint tissue. The disease can also affect other parts of your body, including the heart, lungs, and nerves. 

Ankylosing spondylitis is a form of arthritis that causes inflammation in your spine, including the lower part near your hips. You could find yourself feeling pain above your left hip, together with feelings of stiffness. 

Diverticulitis

Diverticulosis is a condition that can develop in individuals, especially as they age. They end up with bulging pouches in their colon that may become swollen and infected. When that happens, the condition is called diverticulitis. Abdominal pain, possibly on the left side above the hip, can be one of the symptoms you experience caused by diverticulitis. 

Muscle strain

A muscle strain, or pulled muscle, occurs when you stretch a muscle beyond its current capacity, causing tears. You can strain a muscle in your hip or lower back by exercising or moving in the wrong way. Other side effects of a muscle strain include swelling, bruising of the skin, and difficulty moving that part of your body. 

Osteomyelitis

Osteomyelitis is a medical condition where there is swelling or inflammation in your bone tissue. Some form of infection usually causes it. For example, you can contract osteomyelitis through a bacterial infection that gets into your bloodstream. This can spread to the vertebrae in your spine, causing pain on your left side above the hip.

Pinched nerve

The discs in your back can grow shorter as you age, pushing your vertebrae closer together and pinching the nerves around and above your hip. Other symptoms of pinched nerves can include leg weakness, tingling sensations, and pain that travels from your back to your foot.  

Kidney stones

Kidney stones form from the minerals and salts that get dissolved in your urine. They can gradually get larger and painfully travel through your urinary tract, eventually exiting your body when you urinate. Other symptoms of kidney stones that could be causing you to feel pain on the left side above your hip include:

• A pressing need to urinate
• Feeling a burning sensation when you urinate
• Blood in your urine
• Nausea
• Vomiting

Your doctor will likely ask you questions about your medical history and the length of time that you’ve been having symptoms. After performing a physical exam, the doctor may order additional tests depending on what they discover. 

• Blood and urine tests to look for signs of disease
• An endoscopy to look for signs of digestive issues
• X-rays and other imaging to see if there are any abnormalities in your bones or tissues

The prescribed treatment from your doctor will be based on the cause of the pain above your hip on the left. The recommendations could include:

• Medication to manage the pain or treat inflammation
• Antibiotics for infections
• Surgery for the root cause of the pain
• Various lifestyle changes