Hip, Groin and Knee pain - Help!

[jjams21]

In December I was diagnosed with runner's knee. I was running 2-3 times a week between 4-5 miles. I went to PT and it got better at first - but the pain returned and I couldn't run more than 2 miles. I was given a cortisone shot in my knee - which didn't help. The doctor did another exam and found that I had groin pain and hip pain. He gave me a cortisone shot in the hip to help the hip bursitis and sent me back to PT. This time I barely made running 1 mile with three attempts. I have had MRI's on my knee and hip which came back normal. I have an MRI with dye at the end of the month. I'm so frustrated and wanted to see if anyone else has experienced anything similar. I'm 35 and female.

Any feedback would be appreciated!

[Heidi]

Hi

Did the pain initially come on gradually?
If this is the case then I don't think there is anything structurally wrong with the hip/knee. (e.g. no ligament/cartilage/bone problems).
I suspect that it is more likely a muscle imbalance problem.
What is your background with running? Have you been running long? Have you had any previous injuries?

[jjams21]

Yes - the pain did initially come on gradually. Each time I ran the pain happened earlier and earlier in my run. I have spent a total of 3 months (not consecutive) in PT. I was very committed to doing the stretches, exercises and foam roller at home.

I have been running for about 3-4 years. I have not had any injuries in the past. Although I'm fairly new to running - I have been a pretty consistent exerciser thoughout my life.

The pain now happens if I exercise (different degrees depending on what I'm doing), am on my feet for long perionds on time (cleaning/errands etc) and if I don't get up for a couple of hours at work.

I have had xrays and MRI's which were all normal. Do you think that the hip injection isn't needed? I've read that it isn't pleasant and don't want to do anything I don't need to. I have been dealing with this since November/December and want to find a way to get back to normal.

Thanks for your reply

[Heidi]

What kind of exercises have you been given to do before? For which muscles?

My initial thought would be to strengthen the hip abductors (glut med especially) and quads, whilst stretching the hamstrings, ITB and groin.
Have you been checked out for a leg length difference? This is quite a common problem which can cause injury, even with only a couple of mm difference.

If this isn't a road you have gone down, then I would look into this first before any injections. As you say, they aren't nice and aren't guarenteed to help.