Aim: This study aimed at investigating the diagnostic value of local anaesthetic hip injection test to differentiate between hip and spinal pain in patients presenting with symptoms attributable to both hip and spine pathology.

Study design: Prospective cohort.

Materials and Methods: 48 patients with such diagnostic dilemma under one the care of one spinal surgeon in one centre were carefully selected. All patients had radiographs of the hip joint confirming varying degrees of osteoarthritis. Most of the patients also had different types of spinal imaging showing degenerative spinal changes. The hip injection test involved intraarticular injection of 0.5% Bupivacaine under strict aseptic precautions in a laminar airflow theatre under fluoroscopic control.

Results: 37 patients had a significant relief of pain to the injection. Of these, 33 (89%) underwent successful total hip replacement with relief of pain. The patients with a negative response to the test responded satisfactorily to treatment directed towards their spinal pathology. The sensitivity of this test is at least 97% and specificity 90%. These results are similar to those of previous studies on this topic.

Conclusion: Local anaesthetic hip injection test is a safe, inexpensive and reliable diagnostic tool in identifying the source of the pain in patients with attributable dual pathology.