Could a lipoma on my left hip near nerves cause pain?

Question

I have a lipoma on my Lt hip, near the iliac creast, I have had it around 3 yrs, it has increase in size, it approx 5 cm x 3 cm. It has started giving me a huge amount of pain in the hip /buttocks and surrounding areas. It sometimes causes me to not be able to put weight on my Lt leg for several minutes. So I think the nerves must be involved?

Raffy Karamanoukian, MD, FACS · Answer

Lipomas are benign fatty tumors that occur under the skin and less commonly within the muscle. They are associated with mild discomfort and a lump underneath the skin. It is always best to talk to an expert plastic surgeon to determine whether the lipoma is possibly a cyst or a tumor or hernia. We would have to remove the lipoma to be sure that it is not something else and we usually do this by sending it to a pathologist for evaluation. If a lipoma is painful, then an exam is needed to make sure it is not compressing on a nerve or whether the diagnosis is different. Aftercare for a lipoma includes gentle compression and Plato’s Scar Serum twice daily on the wound.

Best,
Dr. Karamanoukian
Realself100 Surgeon

Best, 
Dr. Karamanoukian
Realself100 Surgeon

Kenneth Hughes, MD · Answer

A lipoma is usually harmless. Treatment generally is not necessary, but if the lipoma bothers you, is painful, or impinging on the path of the sciatic nerve, you may want to have it removed. Physical exam can usually make the diagnosis. CT scan and biopsy may be useful as well.

Nelson Castillo, MD · Answer

Thank your or sharing your question.  As lipomas grow, they can impinge on local nerves to create irritation.  I would advocate seeking out an in-person consultation for the best treatment advice.

Could a lipoma on my left hip near nerves cause pain?

Answers (3)