Hip Pain

[MICHELLE]

Hi, i've had a pain in my left hip/groin area for the last 8 weeks or so. It gets worse after i've been running, it is quite painful and limits my movement. I've rested it for 6 weeks and iced it and it has felt a lot better so i tried running on the treadmill again last night for just for a few minutes. The pain and discomfort came back almost straight away. I desperate to start running again, i'm only a beginner and want to compete insome 5km and10km races. Anyone got any ideas?

[Heidi]

Hi Michelle,

Definately worth getting a proper assessment on this one. The hips can be quite complex and so it is very difficult to offer advice via this site without the opportunity to assess your injury.

As a new runner, the most obvious things to me are:
1) Did you get your feet checked and a good, suitable pair of trainers for your running style? This is vital when you first take up running and to replace them and get re-checked every 6-12 months (depending on your mileage)
2) Do you warm-up and stretch thoroughly before you run? Sorry if this seems obvious, you would be surprised how many people don't!
3) Have you increased your distance very quickly? The rule of thumb is no more than 10% increase a week.

Even if you hadn't done some of these things you will probably still require some treatment as you may have muscular tightness in the glutes, adductors etc.

[MICHELLE]

Hi, i had my running gait assessed before i started running and have got the correct footwear plus i do loads of warm up/cool down stretching.

I've been to see a physiotherapist today and have been diagnosed with a chronically inflamed tendon at top of my rectus femur muscle. Advised this might take 8 weeks or so to fully recover.

I also found out that my lower back muscles have tightened up on my left side due my limping so i need to get this sorted out as well!