Low back pain is an extremely common condition that affects individuals worldwide.  It is estimated that 80% of the population will experience a significant bout of low back pain at some time during the life span, and approximately 25% of adults in the United States will likely have had one entire day of low back pain in the last three months.  Low back pain is the most common disorder managed in outpatient physical therapy, accounting for 50% of all referrals. A common question asked by patients with low back pain is, “do I need an X-ray or MRI of my low back?”

A common concern of patients coming to outpatient physical therapy is whether the condition they are receiving treatment for will require surgery.  Patients presenting with lateral hip pain, or pain located at the outer portion of the hip, are often concerned whether arthritis is causing their pain, and worry that they may require a total hip replacement.  The good news is that lateral hip pain is usually not a result of arthritis, but more likely a condition involving the soft tissues of the lateral hip.