Hello Jason - Welcome! Your pain could be the result of your back problem. I'm not sure. But one of the signs of a "bad hip" is groin pain. You think you've pulled a muscle in the groin area with the sharp pain traveling mid way down your thigh. Another one of my symptoms was this sharp piercing pain right in the groin causing the hip to "lock". I couldn't move without intense pain. This would happen at night if I had to use the "facilities". I'd have to drag myself to the bathroom, then with the hip "locked" I couldn't get back into bed. I'd have to wake my husband for help. I usually had to "fall backwards". It was horrible.

Sounds like you may have to see your Doctor and ask about the nerve compression. Good luck and let us know how you make out.