There are different types of postpartum lower extremity pain, including musculoskeletal pain in the lower back, hips, knees, or ankles, and neuropathic pain, which is pain caused by lower extremity nerve injuries. In this article, we’ll focus on hip pain and neuropathic pain caused by nerve damage during childbirth.
For more on lower back pain, see our full postpartum back pain article.
Pelvic girdle pain (PGP) in your hips
PGP is the most common type of hip pain that occurs during pregnancy. It can often be felt in the front and back of your pelvis, radiating to your hip or thigh. After you give birth, PGP may persist for a few months or, in some cases, even longer.
Symptoms of PGP can also include:
- Constant tightness or pain in the pelvis
- Pain that worsens with exercise/activity
- Pain that is deep in your pubic area
- Pain that moves into your lower back
- A clicking sound in your hip joint (or feeling it catch)
Once PGP is diagnosed through various tests—such as a posterior pelvic pain provocation test, which can help distinguish it from lower back pain, your healthcare provider will help you explore a range of treatment options. They may include:
- Bed rest
- A pelvic brace
- Pain relief injections
- Physical therapy
- Occupational therapy
- Acupuncture
- Surgery (for severe cases)
Lower extremity nerve injuries
An estimated 1% of births result in postpartum nerve damage in the lower body. In many cases, the culprit is a compression injury in the spine that occurs during delivery. Symptoms include lower extremity pain, weakness, numbness/tingling, and bowel/bladder dysfunction.
Risk factors for sustaining nerve damage during childbirth include a prolonged second stage of labor, an assisted delivery involving forceps or other instruments, being short in height, and giving birth for the first time. On the other hand, frequent repositioning during the pushing phase may reduce the risk.
Talk to your healthcare provider if you’re experiencing lower extremity pain and suspect you may have a nerve injury. Depending on the severity, your provider may refer you to a pelvic rehabilitation specialist or suggest other treatment options.
When to seek care immediately
Another cause of postpartum pain in the leg—especially in the thigh, lower leg or calf—is a clotting condition known as deep vein thrombosis (DVT). Because this type of deep clot can travel to the lungs and become life-threatening, you should be seen right away if you have symptoms of DVT.
See our full article on DVT to learn more about the symptoms, which, in addition to pain, can include swelling, redness, warmth, or tenderness in your leg.
Reviewed by the Ovia Health Clinical Team
Sources:
Tanner H. Pelvic Rehab Report. “Postpartum Neuropathies of the Lower Extremity”. Accessed August 26, 2024. https://hermanwallace.com/blog/postpartum-neuropathies-of-the-lower-extremity.
