The hips and legs support your entire structure and so are very weight bearing and undergo as result quite some stress. When the hip joint cartillage – that cushions the hip, wears thin the joint becomes irritated and inflamed being unpro- tected from the rubbing together of bones . Spinal mis-alignment, or subluxation as its termed, is the main cause of hip and leg pain. The nerves become irritated which causes muscle spasms and pain.
Sitting for extended periods or poor posture can result in a slipped or ruptured disc causing pain in the legs and hips. The intervertebral disc develops small cracks allowing the soft nucleus to leak out. If the disc pushes on the sensitive tissues and creates pain, it is referred to as a slipped disc. The disc pressing against the spinal nerve causes sciatica, numbness and weakness in the legs. If the rupture is large enough but not managed correctly, surgery may be required to remove the herniated disc material.
The hip is a ball and socket joint where the thighbone (femur) connects with the hipbone (pelvis). Cartilage separates the two bones and acts as a cushion to prevent the bones from rubbing against each other. When that cartilage wears out, pain and swelling occur, causing hip pain. This is more commonly known as arthritis.
Sometimes pain occurs as result of a fracture or sprain. Normally fractures only happen in older people who fall and have osteoporosis. Usually there will be stiffness, swelling, numbness, and very limited mobility after a leg or hip fracture.
[Referenced : ChiroCommunity.com]