Can You Help Diagnose My leg/hip (?) injury
I’m an active older person who does some running, tennis (much), cycling (incl ‘spinning’) & golf. Came up with a cramp-like condition in back of left leg (hamstring-like) during mile 2 of a 10K six weeks ago (running very slowly) which stayed with me for rest of the 10K and since then. While there is definitely sensation in the ‘ham’ sometimes along whole length much of the problem seems centered up in the area where femur attaches to the pelvis (more in the back than to the side). Notably (even before this occured) I’ve had discomfort in the left buttocks area and down the leg while driving my car. Not sure what it is; have used RICE to come degree, always apply heat before my doubles tennis events (2/wk; very “tame” old men!). Have hoped it’s just heal itself … but to no avail as yet. Kind of hard to ‘dip’ down low where you bend knees a lot. Any experiences or advice greatly appreciated.
7 comments
Oliphant
Hi there,I’m a massage therapist and am not sure what your doc meant by it was too low to be piriformis syndrome?? It sounds quite likely to me…piriformis is responsible for external rotation of the hip,this is just a thought but do you by any chance keep something like a wallet in your back pocket when you drive??? If you do it can push on the muscle and cause pain. Also check that you do not drive with your feet pointing outwards (putting your hip into external rotation which may cause shortening of the muscle) your feet should be straight on the pedals. In any case,piriformis is notoriously tight in the vast majority of people so treating the muscle with soft tissue release,MET stretches and trigger pointing or positional release will do no harm!! Remember a problem in one muscle can affect many others! Your sports therapist should be able to perform all these flexibility and neuromuscular techniques, they should also treat glutes min and med and work into your lower back. Sports massage will definitely help…its legendary!
rob the rub
Massage will be of great help.Ask your therapist to work on the lower spine,hips and glutes, as well as your legs.Basil or sage would be a good choise of oil. Good luck. Rob
wicket
I just spoke to my doctor about what sounds like the same thing. It also bothered me on long drives or sitting on hard chairs. It has been a recurring problem for 5 months, really bad after long runs or track work.
He said it was too low for piriformis syndrome.
He happened to do an x-ray of my hips due to another injury on the other leg, and found calcification where my hamstring via a tendon attach to the pelvis.
So, he suggested that I pulled my ham at the tendon area and in addition to ice and stretching (which wasn’t helping much) I might find that massage helps.
Well, just simple massage done by myself has already provided relief. I could not believe how much better my leg felt. Am booking a sports massage immediately.
Good luck!
PapaJack
Appreciate the tip and I’ll try this. Sorry for delay as I’ve been away. Hamstring is doing pretty well now as I write but will use advice to keep it so
djkeep
sounds like a piriformis syndrome sometimes the muscle gets inflamed and compresses on the nerve. Heat, stretch, ice and repeat. The best stretch is to lie on your back and bend your good knee. Place your ankle on good leg thigh and bring the inside of your shin towards your chest. Hold for 60 seconds making sure you are breathing deeply. This has worked for others.
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D.M. Johnson, RN, BA, CSCS
PapaJack
Thanks for the tip. With some anti-inflamatories and good ol’ RICE it seems to be improving some but I haven’t really tested it too much yet … kind of proceeding cautiously. Did get this tip from a Pharmacy person and I think it’s helped me. He said ice it until no pain, then stretch until pain just begins, then repeat this process so you’ve done it three times. He claims pro athletes have done this to hasten recovery.
pfernly
Hi, I am a nurse and sports therapist, it sounds as if your problem may be related to your back, but in any case get yourself properly checked by a physio,doctor or qualified sports therapist, there are several conditions which give your symptoms.
best of luck.