Hayden Panettiere Lands at LAX on Crutches, Leaning on Ex Brian Hickerson

Hayden Panettiere looked like she was powering through some pain … touching down at LAX alongside on-again, off-again BF Brian Hickerson … while getting around on crutches!

Check out the video … Hayden explained it’s all thanks to pinched nerves in her lower back … insisting she’s on the mend as she landed on the West Coast Monday with Brian.

Sources close to the situation tell TMZ … despite the exes being out together, the two are just friends.

Hayden kept it ultra-comfy in a tie-dye jogger set and a cap as the pair made their way to a waiting car, Brian sticking close by her side.