Thigh Problem

[Runner01]

I have been running for 6 years - 1 or 2 ultra's on and offroad a year. This year I started cycling and have developed a problem which I initially thought was due to the cycling but now think it was damage done during my last ultra in April. Every time I run or cycle up a hill my quad seizes and goes lame. I end up cycling up the hill on one leg. When running it takes almost an hour for the muscle to relax. My gp found the following:
1. That it is a compensation pain
2. The hip rotator cuff is painful to touch
3. The left hip is 1cm shorter than the right.
4. When lying down my legs are at an angle to the right -(mild scoliosis?)

Any advice would be appreciated.

[Heidi]

Hi

I think that the most significant of the findings from your Doctor were the difference in hip height. Does this equate to a leg length difference? This would quite severely affect the biomechanics throughout the leg and so should definately be addressed.
A possible scoliosis should also obviously be investigated.

I think your best bet is to visit someone who specialises in running injuries and biomechanics if possible. By the sounds of it, your Doctor is very good, better than most, but I think you will need more specialist treatment to determine exactly what is causing the problem.

It may be a simple case of correcting a leg length difference, but I feel there may be a bit more to it than that.

[Runner01]

Thank you very much. That has given me something to go on.

[Runner01]

Hi again,

I am now at a complete loss. I decided to have my bike set-up looked at before going the "doctor" route. The most noteable thing we discovered was that my saddle was at an angle (lower on the left side which is the problem leg). I had been riding on the saddle for a year. The saddle was replaced but the problem has not going away. I have developed mild lower back ache mainly on the right side (opposite the problem leg).

My dilemma is who to go to. Everyone has a different idea - I've been advised to go to a chiropractor,a posture therapist, a kinesiologist, a traxion bod... the list goes on. Where do I start without involving endless referrals?

[Heidi]

Hi
I think you should go to someone who comes highly recommended. A good sports injury therapist will be able to thoroughly assess you to help determine the problem. This is true whether they are a chiropractor, a physical therapist etc etc. So, I would say, go on recommendations and reputations.