Hip pain... can't figure it out!

I have quite a history of being hurt, in my very short running career.  I really, really love running (goal is a half-marathon, but I keep having to put it off because I have to stop for weeks at a time!), but since I started in mid-Janurary of this year, I've had back pain, knee pain, issues with BOTH of my feet (at seperate times)...And now my hip?!

Last tuesday I was running, and suddenly thought, "hey, wait... I've been running completely pain-free for a couple of weeks straight, now.. THIS is how running should be.  This is awesome!"  And what do you know, about three minutes later, my hip started to hurt.  A lot.  But I am an incredibly stubborn person, and thought "every other time something has started to hurt, it's been ok, I'll just finish this run..."  But here I am over a week later, and it STILL HURTS.  I can't figure out what it is, really, either.  It doesn't seem to be any of the "big," most common running/hip injuries (hip bursitis, snapping hip syndrome, etc).

The pain is in my left hip, sort of near the joint, but also sort of spreading around.  It hurts after sitting/standing for a bit, when I first get up and try to walk.  It hurts to lay on it for a while, and it hurts in certain, unpredictable positions.  I have to slowwwwly stand up, very carefully, straighten out my leg, hold on to something and put my weight on it.  Then carefully limp a few steps, and then it's pretty much fine and I can work normally (although I may still be able to feel it a little).

So, I guess I have to questions/requests: Any idea what it could possibly be?  What could help it feel better?!  Advil doesn't seem to do toooo much, although it usually helps a little.  I've been taking days off of exercising, and today, after a 5 DAY break (I usually never take more than one day off in a row!), I tried doing the rowing machine and bicycle, because I know my normal running or treadmill routines would really, really hurt.  Any other ideas of what I could do, exercise-wise?

As an athlete, I would say definitely don't just "walk it off" or "run through it", relying on pain medication. Maybe check with your doctor? You may be overdoing it with the exercise.

Umm...advice? I notice my back pain is really bad in the morning when I wake up, because sleeping on my side messes up my alignment. My bro suggested sleeping with a pillow between my legs, and it has done WONDERS. Try it, the back pain you experience may be carrying over from the way you sleep, and thus causing pain throughout the day.

Another thing you could try for the knee/joint pain is lower impact cardio, like biking or swimming. You still get a wicked workout but you aren't stressing those joints nearly as much.

what are your shoes like???? are they running shoes? are they correct for your feet type?? how old are they??? how is your running form tall and shoulders relaxed???? try some yoga classes too that may help, nice deep stretching. for sure on the shoes, i know instantly when it is time for new running shoes

Oh my God - you sound just like me!  I just started running last year, did my first half marathon in October, then got the excruciating groin/hip pain in December.  You might not have what I have as there are lots of things that can bother runners (there's a piriformus - or something like that - muscle that can cause pain if you don't take care of it).  I waited until January to go to an orthopedic doctor (I don't reccommend waiting that long!).  He took an x-ray, didn't see anything.  Sent me to physical therapy.   For two months I did all sorts of stretching - nothing helped.  Then another physical therapist decided I needed to do more strengthening (it had been months since I ran at that point).  Still, no relief.  Went back to the orthopedist, got an MRI (finally!).  MRI results said I had a small tear in the labrum of my acetabulum (the part of the pelvis that encases the top of your femur.  Since ti's non-vascular, it will never heal on its own, so I can either deal with the pain or get surgery.  I'm just dealing with the pain.  But after stopping running for about 6 months, I lost a lot of the endurance I built up and gained about 10 lbs too!

But the point of this is that if you are having PAIN - not muscle soreness - you should see a doctor as soon as possible.  The sooner you know what it is, the better.

no_audience - I can only assume it's some sort of overuse issue, but really?!  I never run two days in a row.  Maybe I'll run one day then do the elliptical the next, and so on.. but never twice in a row, and I usually have an off day every third or 4th day.  So I don't feel like it should be overused, you know?  I'll try the pillow thing, though, that sounds like it would help, actually.  Thanks for the tip!

heatherlanders - I got really great shoes a few months ago after having knee problems, and that pretty much sorted it out.  They're now about...4.5 months old?  I figure they have some time left in them...  :-\  I also THINK I have pretty good running form, but even if I don't, it's not like anything has changed; I'm running exactly the same as always.  Hmm.  I'd love to try yoga sometime, and I've been meaning to look into classes, so maybe now is a good time.

joyfulake - yikes!!  That sounds terrible!  :-\  I suppose a doctor would be good, but I'd really rather wait until I'm back at school (and don't have to pay anything, and also don't have to let my dad know... he's super paranoid about me running, and knowing him, he'd put me on bedrest or something if he found out I hurt enough to go to the doctor.  And yes, I am 20 years old; yes, my dad is that controlling when I'm at home.  ug!)  If it still hurts mid/late august when I'm back at school, I'll FOR SURE check it out, but since most of my other injuries sort of took care of themselves (although I did go to a sports doctor twice, I think... didn't really help, just said I had to wait it out), I'm somewhat weary.  I'm sorry about your deal, though!  Geez.  What a pain!  In more ways than one...

Thanks for all the ideas/suggestions/information, guys!

well my husband has a condition called Legg Perthes Disease that has affected him on and off since childhood.  If untreated as a child it  ends up turning into an arthritic condition into adulthood and requires hip replacements later on in life.  His parents had no idea he had it as a child so now he has major joint (mostly his hips) pain/arthritis. 

 

Anyway, something to look into.  good luck!!

One question (which should have been obvious, but I just have to check) - do you stretch thoroughly after you run? 

Ok, one more question - have you tried stretching it out?

Seriously, if you do stretch and it hasn't helped, you should see a doctor.  You're not a minor - aren't there any walk-in clinics you can go to?  You dad should be supportive anyway - you're RUNNING!  You're doing something healthy - you shouldn't have to hide the fact that you run - that's ridiculous!

tracy_rishor - oh man... just looking up Legg Perthes makes it look scary!  But it looks like it's normally diagnosed in early childhood (5 - 12 years old?), and it's more common in males.  But hey, I'll keep reading up on it.  Thanks for the suggestion!

joyfulake - I do stretch, although I don't know how "thoroughly."  Starting a few months ago, I definately started stretch more, though; I used to NEVER stretch, but after the first few bouts of pain, I learned my lesson!  I stretched yesterday and it may have temporarily made it a little better, but it also hurts to stretch; couldn't even do some of my normal stretches.  As far as the father... he's a crazy man.  His opinion is that I should stay home and eat more and gain weight instead of going to the gym.  And for some reason, running itself has always been even more of a "running is too much!  too hard!" sort of thing.  I don't know.  Of course, if it gets bad enough, I don't care, I'll go to the doctor... I'd just rather not, that's all.  ;)

Assuming you have good shoes and are on a good healthy running schedule, you may be able to relate to my experience.  This year I really ramped up my running in preparation for first a half marathon and then a full marathon.  Also somewhat injury prone, I developed a chronic pain in my left hip that felt like it was in the joint and kind of spread from there to inner thigh and outer.  Much like you, definately worse in the morning and hurt to put weight on leg until warmed up a bit.  After completing the marathon I finally went to a physical therapist (after working through the pain for 6 months and not training as hard as I would have liked).  She told me it was a really common afflication of runners and usually occurs in the left leg, as most people are right leg dominant when running.  She said it is due to undertrained butt muscles that force your quads to overcompensate, which for some reason causes pain  in the hip.  She sent my to physical therapy to essentially stretch and strengthen the butt muscles.  I found it really helped.  The other option (and not necessarily the preferred one) is to reduce mileage a running frequency substantially.  Good luck.  Its always an adventure learning how our bodies work.

pasha12 - That makes total sense-- and yeah, it's my left leg.  Of course, it's now been nearly 2 weeks, I havent run at all, and have gone to the gym...twice, I think?  Once using the elliptical, and once just doing the rowing machine and stationary bike, so that it wouldn't hurt my hip.  I'd certainly call that "reducing mileage substantially"!  I definately can't run, though, even after I've "warmed up" enough to walk.  :-\

Anyway, I'm also thinking it may be a nerve thing.  It seems like now, when I stand up, I have to sort of stretch it out, and the top part of my leg will inevitably seize up, berfore I can gingerly put some weight on it.  Only after all that can I actually walk regularly!  This is getting pretty ridiculous, and I'm sort of worried that it hasn't exactly gotten any better after so long-- and after sooo long of no working out!  I'm one of those people that can't stand taking a day off, and I dread my rest days more than anything.  But now, like I said, it's been 2 weeks and I've gone twice (although I'm about to go later today... kayaking machine, here I come!).  I feel like I'm going to turn into a blob of jell-o, and my leg muscles are going to completely atrophy.  Sigh.  I might have to give in and go to the doctor, soon.  :(

I've been Googling for a week trying to find simlar cases and ran across this message which very closely describes the pain I'm having (and have been in for a week) with my right hip right now.  I have run half marathons before and was trying to get ready for a full when the pain hit.  I finished out a 12 mile run (bad idea since the pain made me stop at mile 3) and walking was incredibly painful about 2 hours afterward. 

I've taken a week and a half off so far, but was curious if you ever figured out the problem and/or what you did for it.  I still haven't been to a Dr. but am thinking of going early next week if this isn't better.

It sounds like an IT band issue. I get that when I ramp up mileage too quickly or do a lot of hillwork.  I have it now, in fact!  And it's because I've been slacking off in other areas.

You can run through it, just let pain be your guide. I used to go to PT for it, but really it's just a matter of strenghtening the hip flexor muscles. Lots of squats, regular and one-legged, and balance work.  Practice standing on one leg for a couple of minutes, keeping knee slightly bent.  Switch back and forth, working both legs.  You should see improvement in a couple of weeks.

Just for information in case anyone else has the same symptoms- I finally went to the Dr. and had XRays done and then a bone scan.  It's a stress fracture in my hip- no running for 6 weeks.  Yuck-

Is it on the inside of your hip, near the groin?

could be hip flexor pull/stress. Bedrest for a few weeks and gentle stretching could help. Check out a "standing bow pose/dancer pose" on any yoga website. Really good for stretching out the muscles in the front of the hips.

If doesn't get better in two -three weeks of total rest, then go to a doc. Could be a tear or a stress fracture.

 

I agree with abaker1961.

It sounds like an IT band problem, and I was having severe problems with mine as well.  I started massaging it with a tennis ball and even massage my quad with a rolling pin while holding the pin so it doesn't roll.  Sounds weird, but I haven't had pain in my hip/IT band area since doing this last Friday.  I even ran 17 miles the next day after massaging and I felt great during the run.

I am going to purchase a foam roller.  I would suggest looking into getting a high density foam roller that is 6" in circumference.  You can also "google" various foam roller exercises that show you how to massage the trigger points.

 

Hope this helps the problem.  Oh, and make sure you are stretching regularly before and after running.

Original Post by melwright10:

I agree with abaker1961.

It sounds like an IT band problem, and I was having severe problems with mine as well.  I started massaging it with a tennis ball and even massage my quad with a rolling pin while holding the pin so it doesn't roll.  Sounds weird, but I haven't had pain in my hip/IT band area since doing this last Friday.  I even ran 17 miles the next day after massaging and I felt great during the run.

I am going to purchase a foam roller.  I would suggest looking into getting a high density foam roller that is 6" in circumference.  You can also "google" various foam roller exercises that show you how to massage the trigger points.

 

Hope this helps the problem.  Oh, and make sure you are stretching regularly before and after running.

 Tubberware has a hollow rolling pin that you can fill with icey or hot water. Used it during my labor and it was Wonderba!

You can use a tennis ball or a medicine ball as well, or a pool noodle - but given how little a foam roller costs, if you look in the right place I think getting the real deal might be your best bet ;)

woah, I totally didn't realize people had brought this thread up again!

Anyway, I sort of tried the tennis ball things a few months ago, and I stretch (although admittedly, maybe not enough?)....  I've started running again, but I definately still have pain.  Sometimes more, sometimes less.