Running: Leg Pain

hellynewman

Hi All,

I'm after a bit of advice. I started running last September for pretty much the first time ever (i'm 31) and have gradually built up to be able to comfortably do about 6 miles without stopping. I can feel that fitness wise i've improved greatly but recently i have been experiencing some leg pain which is hindering me progressing any further, which is annoying!

The pain is at the very top of my left leg, where the leg meets the hip joint (the best way i can describe it is that it's along my underwear line!) and it hurts on impact.So far i have been able to dull the pain by taking ibuprofen and have continued to run but i'm just concerned i could be doing more harm than good.

Does anyone have any advice or exercises they could recommend?

Thanks!

Helen x

healthygreek

Your body is trying to tell you something.
Don't run with pain.
Rest it.
If the pain remains, see a doc.

sfbaumgarten

Your body is trying to tell you something.
Don't run with pain.
Rest it.
If the pain remains, see a doc.

This! And make sure that you're stretching properly.

togmo

My wife has a similar pain from time to time although I think yours sounds more like a contact problem between the leg and the hip.

Not sure if these will help but she stretches that part by standing straight, lifts one leg slightly, bending that leg at the knee (leg on the floor is straight) and then continues to lift and drop that leg about 10-20cm (4-8in) at a time. I hope that makes sense. Basically you will find your balance is a little off at first but after 10-20 of these things you should be able to move a lot more freely and quickly. Another good exercise that might help is to bend down, squat like with your bum close to the ground, and push your legs out with your elbows positioned into your knees and stretch your hip flexors that way.

As the other posters have said though if you are having to take pills to run, stop running, your body is telling you something.
You could get an elliptical trainer or something if you can afford it, there isn't much of a jolting movement with one of those.

meshashesha2012

might be piriformis. try stretching it out. i know when i'm not as diligent about my stretching that area ends up feeling like someone set off a fireworks of rabbit punches in my butt cheek :laugh:

check these out
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2qZ517Rw7ME

walterm852

I have been to a few seminars recently, I am running a maraton but my daughter is an aspiring runner as well.

Cross training is really important. Make sure you strength you glute med correctly. The video attached has a great drill called a face the wall squat.

There is a great stretch that may help you at the 1:10 mark

If you dont have a foam roller get one

All the best

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-tV2xTBeH10

heel_striker

Could be your hip flexor. Make sure you stretch your hip flexors and gluteus medius after your runs.

kiwitechgirl

Have you been fitted properly for running shoes? Shoes which don't give you proper support for your foot shape and gait can cause all sorts of problems. I was getting pretty bad calf pain, went and got fitted for shoes and bam, problems gone literally overnight.

nommers2x

Hey, my friend was having the same problem awhile back and it was a pinched nerve, the physician said to not stretch it just rest for 6 weeks but you can still swim and cycle.

fast_eddie_72

The pain is at the very top of my left leg, where the leg meets the hip joint (the best way i can describe it is that it's along my underwear line!) and it hurts on impact.So far i have been able to dull the pain by taking ibuprofen and have continued to run but i'm just concerned i could be doing more harm than good.

Since you've been running for a bit, I'll assume you have proper shoes etc. Do you think it could be in the joint itself? When does it hurt - during or after a run? I had an issue with bursitis when I was training for my first half marathon. My doctor told me it was okay to continue to run, and I did. NSAIDs worked great and it got better in a few weeks. I say keep an eye on it. If it starts to get worse, maybe take a break. But some of those things are okay to run with and will heal without a break.

davemunger

It's definitely worth it to visit a specialist -- maybe a sports-medicine physician who specializes in running. If you have a local running group, ask around for doctors who have been helpful. Avoid acupuncture / chiropracters, as well as surgeons!

My experience with nearly all of these types of repetitive-stress injuries is that the most effective treatment is strength training. When you have strong core muscles and key leg muscles, these things go away. The specialist can tell you what exercises to do and get you on a program to resolve the issue and promote recovery.

katerinajulia

PLEASE be careful.
I did not pay attention to leg pain in that exact area during a half marathon and tried to keep going.
I ended up with a complete fracture in my femoral neck.
Since you can still run and walk but you have pain, you might have a stress fracture. Please go see a doctor when you can and until then do not run.
It has been almost 10 months since my accident and my bone has yet to heal completely and I am still unable to run or jump.
Good luck! I hope it's nothing serious.

action_figure

See a pro. It could be a tight IT band. It could be a number of things. But random bozos on the internet can't diagnose that for you. See a sports medicine specialist, physical therapist, etc. And don't just ignore it.

kittymoney

Go see a physical therapist - they can move and feel if there is anything not in place. They do amazing stuff and know exactly what stretches may be needed if it not anything else but a muscle that is disturbed. My sciatic nerves on both side down my butt checks and into my hamstrings and quads have flared up 2 separate injuries and they nail the spots right on to getting it better. Don't wait and don't push until you exactly what you are dealing with from a professional to diagnosis you.

newlife888

Rest. Pain is often the body's way of telling us we are pushing it too far. Try something lower impact like the elliptical. Are you running on an incline? That can often cause injury. Personally, I've also found that both yoga and swimming after a run help prevent injury.

GettinThere47

Take a break, get some new running shoes, and try some Pilates! I had the same exact problem with my hip on the right side. I cut back on my running a bit and incorporated some Pilates. Big difference, stretches and strengthens your muscles. And if it persists, see a doctor.

ofccat

This is my experience: I had the same thing and stretched, rested and iced and even tried heat and sports masssage. I finally went to the doctor and ended up having hip dysplasia, labrum tear and bone chips. I am not saying this is what you have but if the pain continues I would have it looked at for sure. I was certain I must have pulled something but when it didn't stop after anything I went in

oneloopygirl

I run pretty regularly, too. Proper stretching is crucial. If you don't do any other cardio or other significant exercise, consider some strength training or yoga to help the muscles out. That strength and control gained will only benefit your run. A lot of runners don't do any other exercise and that can help lead to injuries.

How old are your shoes? If they've got a lot of mileage on them, they could be shot. I've learned that the support in them goes faster than the shoe's looks or general feel. The pain doesn't to show up in your feet or lower leg, either. My running shoes are just for running. My old running shoes become my wear for other things shoes. That keeps them in good condition longer.

And I would see a doc, too. You could have pulled something that you are re-injuring by running through the pain. Better to know for sure than to cause bigger problems.

hellynewman

The pain is at the very top of my left leg, where the leg meets the hip joint (the best way i can describe it is that it's along my underwear line!) and it hurts on impact.So far i have been able to dull the pain by taking ibuprofen and have continued to run but i'm just concerned i could be doing more harm than good.

Since you've been running for a bit, I'll assume you have proper shoes etc. Do you think it could be in the joint itself? When does it hurt - during or after a run? I had an issue with bursitis when I was training for my first half marathon. My doctor told me it was okay to continue to run, and I did. NSAIDs worked great and it got better in a few weeks. I say keep an eye on it. If it starts to get worse, maybe take a break. But some of those things are okay to run with and will heal without a break.

The best way i can describe the pain is it feels as if the leg is slightly out of socket, although i reackon if it were actually dislocated i wouldn'yt be able to move! It hurts on impact and gets much worse after trying to run on it. Cross training or cycling seems to losen it up and make it better!

hellynewman

Thanks for everyone's replies, i got some decent running shoes before christmas with a high built in arch because i'm flat footed so i'm hoping it's not that, i've been resting my legs for a while and only been working out on the eliptical so hopefully it will start getting better.

I'm sure most of you can sympathise that when exercise is so ingrained in your daily routine, it's so frustrating to get an injury and the idea of resting and doing nothing for a week seems like not an option!