Hip Pain (Long)

[brickisred]

Hey all.
This is my first post and wanted to ask a long question if you don't mind. :o Been riding pretty hard all summer (MTB), and recently have had some pretty bad hip pain. I was riding clipless, thought that was the problem, and switched back to toeclips, but that didn't help. I've tried moving my seat up, down, back and forth and can't seem to alleviate it. The pain I'm having occurs mostly when I'm sitting down and I move one leg inward towards the other, and hurts even more if I bend over, or move my leg upward. Unfortunately, this is the exact position needed for cycling, so I'm in pain, on or off the bike. My right hip hurts a lot more than the left. Of course it is more intense when climbing hills. I just started taking glucosamine/chondroitin but not long enough for it to do anything. I should mention that I've had this pain on and off for years, but it had gone away for the most part until I started riding more this spring/summer, and is pretty bad right now. Anyone else have this experience or have any stretching/strengthening exercises? I'm hoping I'm not getting to old for my trusty hardtail. Looking to get a road bike in a few weeks, maybe some road miles will be easier on the old joints.

Thanks for any info...
Tom

[late]

See a Doc. Hips you do NOT want to mess with. Ever consider hip replacement? Now there's fun for you. First thing is to stop. Then call a Doc. Eventually, with luck, they will fix you up.

[greywolf]

I've just had my hip joint all bolted & plated back to-gether after a crash ,snapping the ball off the top of the femur, a hip replacement was one of my options but I was advised that having the original repaired was the best option as with replacment more than 90deg. of movment is unwise as the joint could dislocate + a hip replacment only lasts 10yrs in an active person so a replacment should be your last option !Go & see your doc. It sounds like you may have one leg a bit longer than the other ? get the doc. to check it out but it could be that simple,an extra insole in one shoe may be all you need !

[brickisred]

I've just had my hip joint all bolted & plated back to-gether after a crash ,snapping the ball off the top of the femur, a hip replacement was one of my options but I was advised that having the original repaired was the best option as with replacment more than 90deg. of movment is unwise as the joint could dislocate + a hip replacment only lasts 10yrs in an active person so a replacment should be your last option !Go & see your doc. It sounds like you may have one leg a bit longer than the other ? get the doc. to check it out but it could be that simple,an extra insole in one shoe may be all you need !

Yeah I know I need to see the doc, but I've been putting it off because I don't have any health insurance. I guess I'll just have to find a way to do it. I've been getting almost fanatical about riding and was just about to spring for a road bike, but I want to make sure I'm not causing permanent damage to my body. It just sucks because I feel really good right now, (except for the hips) and feel like I'm getting progressively better with my endurance and heart rate. Arghhh! It sucks getting old... Anyway, thanks for the replies...