hip injury question

[MikeOK]

I have this nagging problem, maybe some of you can suggest a solution. A few years ago after training particularly hard for about a year and a half, I started having pain in the outside of my hip. It is right where the hip joint is. I saw an orthapedic surgeon, and he said it was the greater trochantus (sp?). About all he suggested was anti inflamatories and rest. I backed off the training for a time, it improved but was still there. Then I went on a MX racing stint for 3 years and even thought that is a grueling sport, my problem still cleared up completely. The last 10 months or so I have picked up the cycling and running again, and about the last month this problem has appeared again. I have had LOTS of injuries but this one has persisted more than most. Any suggestions? It's bad enough to disrupt my sleep, and I have absolutely no plans of stopping, Im having too much fun and I'm too old to quit. TIA

[wisi]

hmmm sounds painful. Perhaps cut back on running which puts so much pressure on all your joints I know easier said than done...I love running myself. Let me know.

[streners]

I used to have a lot of hip problems but they were more from running than cycling. In fact the reason i got into cycling was because i needed something to keep me fit that was non impact. I still sometimes get twinges from it when i ride, but its so much better now, however i find mine was normally set off by sleeping on a really bad bed.

It sounds like your hip problems are different, but i hope they get sorted soon anyway

[Phatman]

since people seem to have come to the conclusion that it is running that is giving you these problems, I'm gong to pitch in my 2 cents about running.

My dad has a similar hip problem, (although he doesn't ride MX or do anything remotly exciting) and he is an avid runner. He is fine most of the time, but it mostly happens when his shoes wear out, he gets the hip problem again. I would take a look at your running shoes to see if they are worn out. and also have someone look at your stride while you run. A "perfect stride" is one where your foot lands on the outside heel, then rolls inward slightly to push off right at the upturned piece of sole. If your foot rolls in excessively, then you may need a shoe with more motion control. look for a shoe that has a medial post (slightly stiffer foam in the arch side of the shoe). If your foot rolls out, like mine or my dad's, then you probably need more cushion, since your arch is not deforming to reduce the impact of each footstrike.

I also heard that taking glucosamine is good for the joints. Its a bit pricey though, as many quality supplements are.

[Guest]

Originally posted by MikeOK
I have this nagging problem, maybe some of you can suggest a solution. A few years ago after training particularly hard for about a year and a half, I started having pain in the outside of my hip. It is right where the hip joint is. I saw an orthapedic surgeon, and he said it was the greater trochantus (sp?). About all he suggested was anti inflamatories and rest. I backed off the training for a time, it improved but was still there. Then I went on a MX racing stint for 3 years and even thought that is a grueling sport, my problem still cleared up completely. The last 10 months or so I have picked up the cycling and running again, and about the last month this problem has appeared again. I have had LOTS of injuries but this one has persisted more than most. Any suggestions? It's bad enough to disrupt my sleep, and I have absolutely no plans of stopping, Im having too much fun and I'm too old to quit. TIA

Sorry buddy, my guess is you should lay off the running...and increase some other activity. I had a serious right leg injury back in 78... I have a large staple and plate on the inside of my right knee. I still work out regularly, nordic skiing and enjoy all types of cycling. But, my running, alpine skiing and tennis days were over sometime ago. I use to put in 5-10miles of running every other day when not cycling. Now a days, if I let up or change my training pattern, I notice some pain all the way up into my hip joint, and the pain gets worse when I don't stretch my legs consistently. Last wk-end, it locked up on me while playing golf no less... I took a few days off, then headed to the gym...vola... I am back to abby normal. :lol: Advil is my friend! :eek:

[dirtbikedude]

If that is what it is read on. You can still exersise but be sure to warm up stretch your hip flexors, glutes, thighs and ham strings. If you feel it acting up while you are riding take a break for the day.

The greater trochanter is the name given to an upper part of the femur. Some of the big muscles in the buttocks attach to this part of the femur and can get inflammed. It is more common in cross country runners and is caused by overuse. Calcification is when bone grows at the attachment of the muscle. If you ignore warning signs or do not look after you injury then calcification might occur, then you are in trouble!

Symptoms include:

Pain on the upper part of the femur (thigh bone).
Pain when you press your leg outwards against resistance.
Pain when you push in on the greater trochanter.
What can the athlete do about it?

Rest until there is no pain
Apply heat e.g. a hot water bottle and use a heat retainer.
See a sports injury professional.

Slainte
:beer:

[MikeOK]

Originally posted by Garbear
Advil is my friend! :eek:

I'm with you there my friend. I should buy stock in WYE ;)

Originally posted by dirtbikedude
The greater trochanter is the name given to an upper part of the femur. Some of the big muscles in the buttocks attach to this part of the femur and can get inflammed. It is more common in cross country runners and is caused by overuse. Calcification is when bone grows at the attachment of the muscle. If you ignore warning signs or do not look after you injury then calcification might occur, then you are in trouble!

Symptoms include:

Pain on the upper part of the femur (thigh bone).
Pain when you press your leg outwards against resistance.
Pain when you push in on the greater trochanter.
What can the athlete do about it?

Rest until there is no pain
Apply heat e.g. a hot water bottle and use a heat retainer.
See a sports injury professional.

Slainte
:beer:

dude- I think part of my problem is that my job requires me to drive on average 200 miles a day. I am good until I do a real hard ride or run, and the next day spend alot of time with my but parked in the big Suburban. Then it kills me. I rode the trainer last night, drove today, and right now it is killing me sitting here at my computer desk. I feel pain on all the conditions you listed except for pressing my leg outwards. I've been dealing with this for a long time but this year I have personal reasons for reaching a new level of fitness, that's the main reason for my post. I can deal with the bad knee, the bad back, and even the cobbly shoulder. But this hip thing has me thinking it might be time to watch the action from the stands if it doesn't get better. And I ain't quite ready for that yet ;) (hopefully I won't be ready for that for at least another 10 years)

Anyway, thanks for the replies everybody. Time will tell. I'm not throwing in the towel yet...

[RiPHRaPH]

i'll bet that if your pain is on the outside of the hip (on one side only) then your legs are of differing lengths and you tend to have your toes point out when standing. i fight the same thing.

[late]

Hi,
I just ended physical therapy for my hip. I agree with the previous posters; and have a couple suggestions to add. The first one is to try laying off running for a month. During that time, look for something that will help. Yoga (or physical therapy) should be part of it. Let me know what happens when you do this....Go up to a table (not a high one)and on your bad side, lay the leg on the table so that the heel is almost touching your hip. The lower leg should be touching the surface of the table. Bend forward, at the hip, to stretch the hip, and hold for 20 seconds. If that feels tight or sore, let me know.
The next thing is to eliminate some potential culprits, measure the length of your legs carefully, and let us know the difference in lenghth. If your hips are wide or narrow, that could mean you have the wrong Q in your cranks.
If one is wide, and the other is narrow, you may need to change the cranks (there are adapters).
The closer you can get to biomechanically perfect, the better. Do your bike shoes flex? Where on your running shoes does it wear the worst,front,back,sides? Are you doing a good warmup, and stretching during the cool down?

[MikeOK]

Riph- now that you mention that, I remember reading an article in one the the running mags about that. And if I remember right I did the test and that did apply to me. I also remember reading that the shorter? leg would be more prone to injury. We may be onto something here, I just realized that the knee I had scoped is the same side. hmmm something to think about.

What has been your solution? That's one thing I can't remember, or even if any solution was offered in the article.

late- I just saw your post, I will try what you suggested and post back. I feel the most pain when sitting (like at this desk). Otherwise, like when I am riding, it feels fine. Once I am warmed up it causes me no pain.

[MikeOK]

late- I tried the table thing. Little or no tightness, but after I walked away I did feel a twinge of pain, more than normal. I have a normal arch, but I am a clydesdale runner (just under the clydesdale bike limit, dang it).

Something else that may be important- every once in a while, when this thing is acting up, I can twist just right and feel a pop or grind in that area. It doesn't happen often but it will really hurt for a day or so after that.

I've always laughed off my injuries, even been known to brag about them. But this one has been a real pain in the... well hip ;)

[late]

Hi,
time to go for the big guns. Find the best sports doctor, or clinic, in your area. See what they have to offer. I wouldn't run for a while.
If you can get to a sports clinic that works with a lot of pro athletes (and prob have seen your problem a few times before) so much the better.

[RiPHRaPH]

personally, for me it meant orthotics, being consciuos of my pronation and regular visits to my chiropractor (palmer method only)