Hip Pain running down front of leg

[GetOffMyPatch]

Hello -

I am posting to this forum to see if anyone can point to the source of my problem so any help is appreciated.

Currently I experience pain that seems to originate on the left hip, runs down the front of the thigh and into the knee and onto the foot.

I feel it most around the top of my femur, around the knee and around the ankle.

The pain is dull and but aches really bad.

Recently this has become daily whereas before it would have been brought on by walking/running and wouldn't impact me on a daily basis.

I have been to see a specialist who send me for 2 MRI scans (1 hip and 1 lower back). The scans do not show anything the matter.

I have also been to an Amatsu (Active Balance) therapist but I am finding no relief.

One other thing to mention is that I have noticed that I am unable to stretch my left groin. Using exercises to stretch the groin only result in some pain on the hip.

Also I have problems strecthing my hamstring. (Cannot straighten my left to get proper stretch)

I hope this information can point to a specific problem to work on.

I have thought about trying to strengthen my gluts, hamstrings etc but think that I may do more damage than good without knowing the problem first.

I am 34 y/o and need to get this sorted

Any help, comments are appreciated.

Regards,
Shane

[Heidi]

Hi

Given that the pain just gradually got worse and that it spreads down the leg, I would suggest that it is nerve related.
If the MRi showed nothing then it is probably not caused by any back problems such as a disk herniation, and so I would suggest piriformis syndrome.
This is where a muscle in the buttock gets very tight and impinges on teh sciatic nerve. This can cause pain anywhere down throughout the hip and leg.
Have a look at this ppage for more information:

http://www.sportsinjuryclinic.net/cybertherapist/back/buttocks/piriformis.htm

Try stretching your buttock muscles (these pages will show you how if you are unsure). Self-massage to the area may also reveal that it is very tender and can also help relax the muscle.

If you do think that this is the cause, then you need to relax the muscles as much as possible, but also find out what is causing the problem. Common causes include weak glute medius, and leg length differences!

[GetOffMyPatch]

Hi -

Thanks so much for your input...

Did you have any thoughts why I have problems stretching my groin and hamstring?

Regards,
Shane

[Heidi]

Is it that you physically can't stretch the hamstring and groin, or that it is painful to do so? If it is painful, whereabouts is the pain?
If you can't....do you mean that you can't get it to feel like it is stretching no matter how far you push it, or do you mean that the leg is so stiff that it won't move out of its resting position?

Sorry for all the questions! But it may help me to understand what is happening.

[GetOffMyPatch]

When I stretch the groin, it feels as though I cant get a stretch on it at all. Additionally, I feel pain on the outter left hip when doing so.

For the hamstring, its difficult to straighten the leg to get a proper stretch.

Im sure the pain when stretching the groin (on the hip) is the source of the issues.

Do you think strengthening of core muscles would help correct or isit something more specific.

Thanks,
Shane