Is it sciatica or arthritis?

[Sturmason]

What's the difference between hip arthritis and sciatica? I suffered a slipped disc in 2018, the second one in 10 years. Although I got over that since then I have suffered pain and discomfort in my left buttock area when walking. Cycling does not cause me any problems. I saw a consultant in August 2018 and he told me I had arthritis in my left hip and recommended a hip replacement. I don't doubt him but I'm not sure if the pain I'm getting is not sciatica as it has come on very quickly and I don't want to make the wrong decision. I can move around at home relatively pain free. Pain does not keep me awake at night and I can stand on the affected leg with no discomfort.

[Cailleach]

Hi, I have had both sciatica and arthritis in my hip. Sciatica is pain that goes down the leg from your buttock. It is nerve pain, so you need that type of pain relief, such as amitryptyline. I have mild arthritis in my hip and notice it only when I move in a certain way, usually when turning over in bed. If it is more severe you would notice it walking or eventually all the time.

If your consultant recommended a hip replacement he is probably basing that on X-rays showing how advanced the arthritis is in the joint. That doesn’t always relate to the pain experienced. It is really up to you when/ whether you want to go for surgery, though bearing in mind waiting lists are probably long at the moment.

If you are not sure it would be worth trying to speak to the consultant again to work out what is causing your pain and if you are ready to go on a list for surgery.

Good luck x