bobjr
04-24-2008, 08:10 PM
Background - I have had lower back issues with L 4 & 5 since the age of 27 and see a Chiropractor 1 to 2x/month. 4 years ago (age 44) I injured my hip/groin skiing. I did my version of the chinese splits which left me black and blue in my lower left ab region. Fast forward to 2 years ago... I was riding in a 200k bicycling event which had about 14,000 vertical feet in it. Towards the end of the ride the top of my left thigh went numb and then the inner left thigh tightened up like none other. I managed to "rub it out" and finished the ride I took a couple weeks of and resumed training. No Problem. Last year I overtrained in preparation for the same ride in '07. I was doing a 75 mile hill ride in the same area as the ride, when I experienced the same issue as the year before. So I took a couple weeks off and resumed training. Unfortunately for me it did not heal. I thought I injured, pulled, aggrevated my left hip flexor. I went to a Sports Med Dr. and had an MRI done which came back normal. She sent me to PT to strengthen my core. I did everything they told me to do. Still, I was bothered by it the rest of the (triathlon) season. I could train, but only at about 75%. If I went hard I knew it would "pop" and back to the couch I would go. In the off-season I was doing light bicycling workouts (60 minutes 4x/week)on the trainer. Eventually, I got the hint something was still not right. I took 5 WEEKS OFF. Nothing but rest... The first day back on the bike, it was as if I never took a day off. Man I was ticked! So I went to a Physiatrist which is a muscle, ligament, and tendon specialist. I explained my issues, and she wants to rule out my back and do an MRI of my lower back. So I am thinking how can my lower back cause that? Next she said we might try some medication that calms down the nerves to rule out that one nerve that covers the top of the thigh. I am thinking "how can that cause this problem I am having?" Whatever the problem, it is deeeep into the hip and lower ab region. I have no idea what to do where to go or how to heal this injury. I am training now for a couple of triathlons later this summer and feel like I will not be more than 50-75% at this rate, and that stinks! Any idea as to what is the problem here and how to fix it?