Is my pain sciatica or hip arthritis?
Sciatica is nerve pain radiating from the lower back down the leg, often with tingling, numbness or shooting pain past the knee. Hip arthritis pain is felt in the groin, buttock or thigh, and rarely goes past the knee. Both can hurt when sitting for a long time, but a physiotherapy or GP examination can quickly distinguish them.
Last updated 2026-07-04. This is general information, not a substitute for personalised medical advice.
Frequently asked questions
When would you pick Sciatica?
Shooting pain past the knee; tingling/numbness; often triggered by a specific movement.
When would you pick Hip osteoarthritis?
Groin/buttock pain; stiffness putting on socks; hip movement painful on examination.
What should I be careful about?
You can have both — spinal and hip degeneration often coexist over 60.