Runner's hip: 6 different causes
Hi!
As an alternative to the intense workout program I occasionally run, although I am far from a runner at heart. I started around 2 years ago, kind of by accident, and have since then been running regularly.
One problem which has been plagueing me is a hip injury. I injured the hip probably by working in the garden but then the running made it worse and I developed an imbalanced step to compensate for the pain. Eventually I could not run anymore.
Months later when I finally visited a doctor he diagnosed bursitis, an inflammation of the little fluid-filled sac on top of the leg bone which is supposed to cushion it. I received a cortisone injection directly into it, which is not something I want to repeat, but it did help.
I felt that it would start again if I started running again, so I visited a natural therapist who "straightened my skeleton" and made my muscles communicate with my brain again. After that, I have had no problems running and I feel I have an even stride. But sometimes I get this pain, quite unprovoked, like a knife is stuck into my right hip, and after my first deep sleep at night I get more and more troubled by pain. I can't sleep on my right side. So the bursitis is still there, or is it something else?
My bursitis (to be precise trochanteric bursitis, located on the bony protrusion of the leg bone) makes itself felt as a burning or stabbing sensation at the side of the hip or the gluteus. This is an inflammation of the sac protecting the hip bone. Rest helps and direct cortisone injections, although the problem often reappears. Strengthening the gluteus muscles and the abductors (another post on exercises to prevent injury will follow soon) helps prevent reoccurrence.
Stress fracture: too much pressure on the bone may cause small fractures in the bone. Calcium deficiency, iron deficiency, bad genetics, bad shoes, there are many possible causes. An X-ray may reveal fractures (though not all small fractures! You may need an MRI and even this doesn't always show small fractures). Remedy: 3 month's rest. After, start up with running in water and slowly build up force again.
Sharp pain in the buttocks, sometimes radiating down the leg and up into the back, may indicate piriformis syndrome: a small muscle located under the gluteus maximus which when it becomes tight (from running) rubs against the sciatic nerve. Rest and ice for 2 weeks is recommended and then using exercises.
As an alternative to the intense workout program I occasionally run, although I am far from a runner at heart. I started around 2 years ago, kind of by accident, and have since then been running regularly.
One problem which has been plagueing me is a hip injury. I injured the hip probably by working in the garden but then the running made it worse and I developed an imbalanced step to compensate for the pain. Eventually I could not run anymore.
Months later when I finally visited a doctor he diagnosed bursitis, an inflammation of the little fluid-filled sac on top of the leg bone which is supposed to cushion it. I received a cortisone injection directly into it, which is not something I want to repeat, but it did help.
tripleclicks.comI felt that it would start again if I started running again, so I visited a natural therapist who "straightened my skeleton" and made my muscles communicate with my brain again. After that, I have had no problems running and I feel I have an even stride. But sometimes I get this pain, quite unprovoked, like a knife is stuck into my right hip, and after my first deep sleep at night I get more and more troubled by pain. I can't sleep on my right side. So the bursitis is still there, or is it something else?
When I researched the problem on Internet I found that there are at least 6 different causes of hip pain, commonly experienced by runners and therefore called "runner's hip", and they can easily be confused.
Pelvic misalignment is the cause of many symptoms and was the root cause of my bursitis. Basically your pelvis is not straight meaning one leg is slightly longer than the other. This can cause many problems because the bones, joints and muscles are not taxed equally. This may be helped by a chiropractor or a doctor/physiotherapist specialized in sports injuries.
If after running you feel pain at the front of your hip, it might be a femoral acetubular impingement: the hip bone does not fit exactly into the socket, causing the cartilage to tear. This might require surgery and is not easily fixed. Physiotherapy may help in some cases.
Stress fracture: too much pressure on the bone may cause small fractures in the bone. Calcium deficiency, iron deficiency, bad genetics, bad shoes, there are many possible causes. An X-ray may reveal fractures (though not all small fractures! You may need an MRI and even this doesn't always show small fractures). Remedy: 3 month's rest. After, start up with running in water and slowly build up force again.
Inflammation of the Iliotibial band: this tendon runs from your hip to your knee and can get inflamed. This will often appear as knee pain rather than hip pain. Remedy: rest, ice, build up slowly again. Massage may help.
Hip flexor: the hip flexor is the muscle that lifts your thigh. This can either be overstretched or inflamed and this is often caused by a sudden increase in speed or distance. Remedy: ice, rest for 2 weeks, draw back seriously on the speed or distance, build up slowly again.
- All of these injuries can be helped/prevented by strengthening exercises. I'm also pretty sure that having good shoes makes a difference. In another post, after research, I will give a number of these exercises.
- Rest is also important according to the many websites and magazines I have read. Choose an alternative form of training if you cannot let it be, one that does not tax the injured spot.
- Massage or electric massage is always good because it increases circulation.
- Finally anti-inflammatory medicines may be necessary (though I avoid them like the plague). Natural anti-inflammatories are better but they are not always as effective. Continuing running while taking pain killers is the worst thing you can do because you may increase the damage.The pain is telling you something is wrong....don't ignore it.
References/sources:
https://www.runnersworld.com/hips
https://www.runandbecome.com/running-health-advice/injuries/hip-pain-in-runners
https://www.active.com/running/articles/9-causes-of-hip-pain-during-and-after-running
https://www.active.com/running/articles/9-causes-of-hip-pain-during-and-after-running
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