Runners, has anyone else had this problem?

flexdirectcpr
flexdirectcpr Posts: 103 Member
in Fitness and Exercise
I have been running since March. I've done three 5k's, a 10k and one shorter race so far. My average weekly mileage was 15-20 miles until a few weeks ago. In one day, it became painful for me to sit, my left leg had muscle twitching, and I could not raise my leg. The pain was mostly in my left hip and buttock. It has never been painful to bear weight on it. The next day I saw an MD and a chiropractor. The MD had my back x-rayed and a follow up MRI which showed no acute problem. I saw the chiropractor several times and he said probably a muscle pinching my sciatic nerve. But I have had no shooting pains down the back of my leg that is usually associated with this. My left leg has been constantly numb from the medial knee area to my medial akle area since the day after the pain began. I took it easy for about 2 weeks and my doctor cleared me to run, but my leg is still numb. I ran a 5k on July 4, but I had to be extra careful about my footing and balance. Yesterday, I ran less than a mile, and I had pain in my left groin everytime I lifted my leg. The left leg is also very weak. I am a nurse, and have never even had a patient with this mix of symptoms. Any clue as to what this is and/or any streches or exercises that can help it?

Thanks

Replies

  • Runs4Wine
    Runs4Wine Posts: 416 Member
    I had a pain for some time in my pelvis area but it did much like you describe. I think you describe what others say are IT band issues.

    Foam roller is most commonly suggested.

    I work on a lot of stretching on my hips/pelvis both before and after runs and it has really reduced the problem.

    One stretch is to stretch the hip flexors. Stand like you're doing a calf/hamstring stretch (I put my hands against a wall) and tip your pelvis forward.

    Another stretch is to sit half indian style standing, with one leg over the other and squat. This really stretches your buttocks and hip flexors.

    Warming up I will hold my hand on the wall and kick my leg across the front of me, switch the other leg. Then do backward/forward.

    Many of these stretches are available on runners world.

    good luck - I know how much it hurts! It might be smart to reduce your mileage... you may be doing too much too fast.
  • Coyoteldy
    Coyoteldy Posts: 219 Member
    Might be a flexor pull and those HURT.. back off the running. I pulled a flexor ( basic groin pull) , laid off for a couple of weeks and then use bio freeze, stretching and slowly got back to running.... hang in there.. but rest is your best bet
  • flexdirectcpr
    flexdirectcpr Posts: 103 Member
    Thanks for your tips. I will definitely be trying them.
  • SonicDeathMonkey80
    SonicDeathMonkey80 Posts: 4,489 Member
    I second the roller. I had a strained soleus muscle and I use my rolling pin (too cheap to buy The Stick lol) to hit it because a regular stretch wasn't cutting it. I roll that sucker out a few times a day and have been running like a dream.
  • jlmakela
    jlmakela Posts: 11 Member
    ."In one day, it became painful for me to sit, my left leg had muscle twitching, and I could not raise my leg. The pain was mostly in my left hip and buttock. It has never been painful to bear weight on it. ... But I have had no shooting pains down the back of my leg that is usually associated with this. My left leg has been constantly numb from the medial knee area to my medial akle area since the day after the pain began. I took it easy for about 2 weeks....but my leg is still numb. I ran a 5k on July 4, but I had to be extra careful about my footing and balance. I had pain in my left groin every time I lifted my leg. The left leg is also very weak. I am a nurse."

    I am a doctor, I have not seen these symptoms either. But you don't just have pain, you have weakness and numbness. And were the twitchings actually fasciculations? (A sign of lower motor neuron disease.)This is probably a radiculopathy or a mononeuritis.. You need a second opinion or a neurologist. You chiropractor was referring to the fact that the sciatic nerve goes through the piriformus, so an injured spasmed piriformus can pinch the sciatic nerve. That is a possibility. But weakness and numbness--see a neurologist ASAP.

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