Spine & Back Pain Evaluation
Accurate diagnosis is the first step to effective treatment. We help determine whether your symptoms originate from the hip or spine.
Getting You the Right Care
Back and hip pain can be challenging to diagnose because symptoms often overlap. Pain in the buttock, groin, or thigh may originate from the hip joint, the lumbar spine, or both.
At Northwest Oklahoma Orthopaedic Clinic, our surgeons specialize in hip and joint conditions. When we evaluate patients with pain in these areas, we carefully assess whether the symptoms point to a hip problem that we can treat, or a spine condition that would be better served by a specialist in that field.
Our goal is to ensure you receive the most appropriate care as quickly as possible—whether that's treatment with us or a referral to a trusted colleague.
Important Note
Northwest Oklahoma Orthopaedic Clinic specializes in hip and joint surgery. We do not provide spine surgery or ongoing spine pain management. However, we can help evaluate your symptoms and coordinate referrals to appropriate specialists when needed.
Hip vs. Spine: Finding the Source
We use a systematic approach to determine the origin of your pain.
Pain Pattern
The location of your pain provides important clues:
- •Groin pain often suggests hip pathology
- •Lateral hip pain may be hip or soft tissue
- •Posterior/buttock pain often indicates spine
Physical Examination
Specific tests help identify the pain source:
- •Hip range of motion testing
- •FADIR and FABER provocation tests
- •Neurological assessment
- •Spine-provoked pain evaluation
Imaging Review
X-rays and advanced imaging help confirm findings:
- •Hip X-rays for arthritis assessment
- •Review of lumbar imaging if available
- •Correlation with clinical findings
When Hip Evaluation Is Appropriate
- Groin-dominant pain with positive hip exam findings
- Imaging showing moderate to severe hip osteoarthritis
- Prior orthopedic evaluation requesting surgical opinion
- Pain reproduced with hip range of motion
- Limited internal rotation of the hip
When Spine Referral May Be Needed
- Posterior or buttock-dominant pain pattern
- Spine-provoked symptoms on examination
- Neurologic complaints (numbness, tingling, weakness)
- Diffuse pain without clear hip findings
- Abnormal lumbar imaging with correlating symptoms
Our Referral Network
When your symptoms suggest a non-hip source, we coordinate care with appropriate specialists.
Pain Management
For patients who may benefit from injections, nerve blocks, or other interventional pain treatments.
Spine Surgery
For patients with spine pathology that may require surgical evaluation or intervention.
Primary Care
When additional workup or conservative management through your PCP is recommended.
Recommended Pain Management Specialists
Dr. Chad Owens
Pain Management
Dr. Owens provides comprehensive pain management services including interventional treatments for spine-related conditions.
Visit EnidPain.comDr. Emily Morgan Pollard
Pain Management
Dr. Pollard specializes in pain management and can provide further evaluation for patients with spine-related symptoms.
Visit AlignPain.comFor Referring Providers
We appreciate your referrals and are committed to ensuring appropriate and timely care for our shared patients. If a referral does not meet criteria for hip surgical evaluation, we will communicate our recommendations and coordinate care with you and the patient.
We are always happy to re-review referrals should additional hip-specific findings or imaging become available. Questions about referral appropriateness can be directed to our office.