Hip Pain That Was a Disc Prolapse: A Physio Case Study
When Hip Pain Comes from the Lower Back
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Hip pain is not always a hip problem — it can be referred from the lower back. In this de-identified case, a golfer’s persistent left hip pain was traced to a lumbar disc prolapse that required surgery. After a structured course of post-operative physiotherapy at Elevate Physiotherapy in Singapore, he returned to regular exercise. Individual results vary, and no outcome is guaranteed.
Hip pain after sport is easy to blame on a muscle or the hip joint itself. In this de-identified 2026 case, a 55-year-old golfer arrived at Elevate Physiotherapy in Singapore with left hip pain that did not fit a simple muscular pattern.
This case study explains why the team suspected the lower back rather than the hip, how appropriate referral led to a diagnosis and surgery, and how post-operative physiotherapy supported his return to exercise. Individual results vary, and no outcome is guaranteed.
Can Hip Pain Actually Come from Your Lower Back?
Yes — pain felt in the hip can be referred from the lumbar spine rather than the hip joint itself. The nerve roots in the lower back (around L4, L5 and S1) supply sensation and movement to the hip, buttock and leg, so a lumbar
disc prolapse can produce pain that feels like a hip problem.
This overlap is a well-recognised diagnostic challenge, because hip-joint conditions and lower-back conditions can produce very similar symptoms. Telling them apart usually needs a careful clinical examination and, where indicated, imaging.
At Elevate Physiotherapy in Singapore, this is exactly why the assessment looks beyond the painful spot — a point that turned out to matter in this case.
How Did Elevate Recognise This Wasn’t Just a Muscle Problem?
“I don’t treat the site of pain in isolation. I assess how the whole chain moves — from the foot to the hip to the trunk — because the painful area is often compensating for something else.”
— Winsen Citra, Principal Physiotherapist, Elevate Physiotherapy
Following that principle, the assessment suggested the hip pain was not purely muscular. Rather than continuing to treat the hip alone, the team referred the patient to an orthopaedic doctor for further investigation, and imaging revealed a disc prolapse that required surgery.
Knowing when a problem sits outside physiotherapy’s scope — and referring on promptly — is part of responsible care at Elevate Physiotherapy in Singapore. Physiotherapy does not diagnose a disc prolapse; that is confirmed by a doctor and imaging.
What Does Post-Operative Physiotherapy After Disc Surgery Involve?
Post-operative physiotherapy after disc surgery is a staged process: protecting the area and managing pain early on, then progressively restoring movement, strength and load tolerance. A 2024 systematic review found moderate-to-low-certainty evidence that early active rehabilitation improves pain and function after lumbar disc surgery (Systematic Review, 2024).
In this case the plan was built around measurable milestones rather than a fixed calendar, with movement and strength re-tested as recovery progressed. This objective, progressive approach is central to how the team at Elevate Physiotherapy in Singapore manages post-operative rehabilitation. No outcome is guaranteed, and individual results vary.
What Was the Outcome — and What Does It Mean for You?
In this case the patient completed around five months of post-operative rehabilitation and returned to regular exercise, working towards his goals of pickleball and golf. Recovery after disc surgery varies between individuals, and no outcome can be guaranteed.
The wider takeaway is that persistent hip pain which does not fit a muscular pattern deserves a thorough assessment, and that timely referral can change the whole direction of care. If hip or back pain is not settling, an assessment at Elevate Physiotherapy in Singapore — including physiotherapy and functional therapy — is a sensible first step.
Book an Assessment
Pain is not always coming from where you feel it. If your hip or back pain is not settling, an accurate whole-region assessment at Elevate Physiotherapy in Singapore is a sensible first step.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a slipped disc cause hip pain in Singapore?
Yes — a slipped disc (disc prolapse) in the lower back can cause pain that is felt in the hip. The lumbar nerve roots around L4, L5 and S1 supply the hip and leg, so pressure on these nerves can refer pain that feels like a hip-joint problem rather than a back problem. Because hip and lower-back conditions can look alike, telling them apart needs a proper clinical assessment and, where indicated, imaging. A physiotherapist in Singapore can help work out where your pain is really coming from, and refer you on if a doctor’s input is needed.
How long does recovery take after lumbar disc (slipped disc) surgery?
Recovery after disc surgery varies, but a structured rehabilitation programme often runs over several months. A 2024 systematic review found moderate-to-low-certainty evidence that early active rehabilitation improves pain and function after lumbar disc surgery, though timelines depend on the individual and the activities they are returning to. At Elevate Physiotherapy in Singapore, progress is guided by measurable milestones rather than a fixed date, and no outcome is guaranteed. In this de-identified case, the patient returned to regular exercise after around five months.
Do I need physiotherapy after disc surgery, or will it heal on its own?
Physiotherapy is commonly recommended after disc surgery to help restore movement, strength and confidence with activity. A 2024 systematic review reported that early active rehabilitation can improve pain and function after lumbar disc surgery compared with no structured treatment, though the certainty of the evidence varies. At Elevate Physiotherapy in Singapore, post-operative rehab is delivered as a staged, individualised plan with objective re-testing. Your surgeon’s specific advice always takes priority, and this is general information rather than individual medical advice.
When should I see a physiotherapist for hip pain that won’t go away?
Hip pain that does not settle with rest or that does not fit a clear muscular pattern is a reasonable reason to see a physiotherapist. In this case, hip pain that seemed muscular was assessed across the whole region, which prompted
referral and the discovery of a lumbar disc prolapse. A physiotherapist in Singapore can assess the hip, back and surrounding chain, help identify the likely source, and refer you to a doctor if further investigation is needed. This is general information and not a substitute for individual medical advice.