Hi! I’m getting desperate here. On Dec 1st I was out for a run and felt a twinge in my hip/groin area, 5 miles later I could not lift my leg. I took a week off, and 20 minutes into my run the same thing happened. Went to the doctor, did an MRI and it just showed swelling in the bone and hip flexor. Was told to take 6 weeks off from running (it didn’t bother me cycling or swimming). My lower back also started to act up during this time and started to get muscle spasms after I rode, so stopped cycling. After my 6 week hiatus, I tried running and felt my entire back cramp up and again was unable to lift my leg (the way I describe this feel is overall desensitization, it’s not painful as much as it just seems to stop working altogether).
I get a 2nd opinion and am told, because of the the back pain and the leg issue, that I have sciatica. I just started PT and we are working on core stabalization (I had a baby in the fall and probably came back too hard too soon). I continue to have an ache in my groin that runs down the front of my thigh and I was just wondering if anyone has experienced this before and what treatment helped.
One wk was too short and running 20 minutes on your first run was too much. You certainly went from a grade 1 to grade 2 strain which could take months to heal. I am 1 wk in to a grade 1 hip flexor strain. I am taking 2 wks off, followed by 2 wks of light strength training, then I will start jogging 5 min 3x weekly, increasing by 5 minutes each wk until I am back to long jogs, whereupon I’ll increase pace. You are facing months of recovery time if you want to do it properly. If you rush it again, you will guarantee chronic, lifelong pain. I recently posred that one season is not worth lifetime of pain. Even though I’m only 1 wk into a grade 1, and it’s only February, I already cancelled my long races in september. Such is life. Were not on hgh and don’t have full-time trainers. Wecant recover like professionals and teenagers.
I was pain free by 6 weeks from initial onset of injury and able to walk an hour at a good pace with no pain. I did 5 min walk/5 min run for 30 min and on the 3rd set the pain kicked in.
My PT told me to not just sit around b/c of my back, but I feel like everything I’m doing aggravates one or the other.
Had a similar issue after Orangeman in 2011. It was a hilly run and I pushed it hard and the weeks following I kept the peddle to the metal and was running really hard. Woke up one morning and I could barely walk, the pain was progressive, went to several PT and chiro’s nothing made it better. Due to IM AZ being my 12th IM and I was in the hunt for the Legacy program I did the race (walked the run) took a few weeks off completely. Started back up in January same thing pain during and after running and biking, not as bad as before but it was there. Continued to race… May went in for a MRI and found out I had a tear in my hip labarum. Doctor said If he did a MRI on every athlete that walked in the door 50 percent would have some tearing. He didn’t recommend surgery due to the fact I was still able to race at a high level but that he wanted me to try cortisone injections into the hip ($$). Now I am drinking the Coolaid because I got into IMWC so I was willing to take the limited cautious approach. Ten days after the injections the hip felt better and I learned that I needed to be careful doing too many back to back big rides or runs. I had a second injection done mid September before HI and was able to do my last build before leaving for the race. Basically I dropped the running the three a week with at least one day off between runs. Each run was 8-10 miles at or above my IM pace and nothing more. Funny thing about this is I PR my IM marathon on three runs a week. A few month now from my last race and I am feeling much better just keeping everything simple. If I were you I would see a specialist and get a MRI and if you have a tear try the injections first…
Its good that you are focusing on core stab but definitely talk to your PT about pelvic floor engagement. Pregnancy is good for stressing and stretching every layer of core musculature (a stretched or tight muscle is not a strong muscle) and a sound women’s health provider will be able to get you back to activity safely and efficiently.
I’m certain the initial hip flexor pain and subsequent low back pain are all symptoms of the bigger issue of a weakened core and pelvic floor to stabilize the spine and pelvis.
Congrats on the baby and good luck getting back on track!
Other than the swelling (in what bone?), it sounds like postpartum iliopsoas syndrome, possibly with both tendinitis and bursitis. The psoas muscle likely shortened during pregnancy and contributed to alignment problems in the lumbar spine. This derangement has led to back pain/spasms and radicular signs in the distribution of the femoral nerve (inguinal area and front thigh). You may not have true sciatica. Google or YouTube ‘Thomas test’ to screen for ilipsoas shortening. Compare sides. If test is positive, begin static stretching program. Thomas test position is a good starting stretch.
Hi! I’m getting desperate here. On Dec 1st I was out for a run and felt a twinge in my hip/groin area, 5 miles later I could not lift my leg. I took a week off, and 20 minutes into my run the same thing happened. Went to the doctor, did an MRI and it just showed swelling in the bone and hip flexor. Was told to take 6 weeks off from running (it didn’t bother me cycling or swimming). My lower back also started to act up during this time and started to get muscle spasms after I rode, so stopped cycling. After my 6 week hiatus, I tried running and felt my entire back cramp up and again was unable to lift my leg (the way I describe this feel is overall desensitization, it’s not painful as much as it just seems to stop working altogether).
I get a 2nd opinion and am told, because of the the back pain and the leg issue, that I have sciatica. I just started PT and we are working on core stabalization (I had a baby in the fall and probably came back too hard too soon). I continue to have an ache in my groin that runs down the front of my thigh and I was just wondering if anyone has experienced this before and what treatment helped.
Thanks!
Thanks for the replies. I had an MRI which showed nothing with regard to tears, so I take that as a positive thing. My dr didn’t give me a lot of specifics from the report other than “it didn’t show much”. Hopefully with rest and core stabalization exercises this will improve. I hate to admit it, but there is no substitute for rest…
I hate to admit it, but there is no substitute for rest…
Not true! Concept of optimal loading is just as important if not more. If you have good supervision and instruction, then beginning to engage/contract (in your case) core layers and restore proper movment is much better than pure rest. Just have good communication with your PT and stay religious with your rehab.
I had anterior hip pain after a run one day a few winters ago. My hip was just really, really sore. I took a day off, managed a slow 6 miles the next day, then couldn’t lift my leg. After months of waiting to see a specialist I was dx’ed with psoas tendonitis. Cortisone shot fixed it. However, it came back in a lesser form. I saw a PT, strengthened my glutes, and also had to have my SI joint adjusted a couple of times - alignment issues are often related to this.
Get a good PT who can work on your psoas; yes it will hurt because it’s a deep muscle but it’s worth it.
Find an ART provider who has the spinal certification. There is a very specific and very effective ART protocol for the psoas that only the spinal certified ART providers can do. It will break up the adhesions in the psoas.