Hip-Spine Syndrome: The Diagnostic Utility of Guided Intra-articular Hip Injections

Hip-Spine Syndrome: The Diagnostic Utility of Guided Intra-articular Hip Injections

Authors

Maldonado DR, Mu BH, Ornelas J, Chen SL, Lall AC, Walker-Santiago R, Rosinsky PJ, Shapira J, Domb BG
DOI: 10.3928/01477447-20191223-05

Background

Hip-Spine Syndrome occurs when both hip and spine issues cause overlapping symptoms, making it hard to pinpoint the exact source of pain. This study evaluates whether guided hip injections can help identify the pain source.

Methods

The study reviewed 9 published studies on the use of ultrasound- or fluoroscopic-guided hip injections to diagnose hip-spine syndrome.

Key Findings

Guided hip injections had excellent diagnostic accuracy with a sensitivity of 93.6%, specificity of 95.0%, and a high positive predictive value (98.8%).

Conclusions

Guided intra-articular hip injections are a powerful and reliable diagnostic tool for identifying the cause of pain in patients with hip-spine syndrome.

What Does This Mean for Patients

If you're experiencing hip pain that may be linked to your spine, a guided hip injection could help determine the exact cause, leading to more accurate treatment.