As many of you know, I injured my hip a few weeks ago and ultimately took a week off from running so I could recover. I then made a successful return to running this past Sunday, though I woke up rather sore and with a very tender hip on Monday.
I thus decided to make an appointment at the local orthopedic clinic. Of course, the day after I made the appointment, I was feeling much better. I ran again, and my hip held up just fine. Nonetheless, I decided to keep the appointment.
Upon my arrival, they sent me back for a series of x-rays. I later learned that they were looking for evidence of a stress fracture, and that everything came back clean. I then went to the exam room to wait for the doctor.
After taking a brief history and doing a quick physical exam, he told me what he thinks is going… The pain is around my greater trochanter (the top of the femur), and he suspected a had irritated the bursa, causing bursitis.
While this wasn’t technically an injury of the hip itself, it sure felt like one. As far as treatment goes, he pretty much recommended what I’m already doing. In other words, warming up properly, stretching, cutting my workout short if things get too uncomfortable, stretching and icing after, and so on.
He also gave me a prescription for Celebrex (along with some free samples) and a set of exercises aimed at stretching and strengthening both my hip and my piriformis (a small muscle in the gluteal region). Once I’ve had a chance to work through them all, I’ll probably write up some of my favorites.
The primary goal is to loosen up and strengthen the muscles all around the hip, with a particular focus on the tensor fascia lata (TFL), which is in the immediate vicinity of the pain.
For what it’s worth, I give much of the credit for my relatively rapid recovery to my new running shoes as well as to a good bit of time spent with my foam roller.
Get free updates via e-mail!
{ 2 comments… read them below or add one }
Someone did a write up on the foam roller – even if it only stretches the IT band it’s worth every penny. That is a booger to keep loose and causes all sorts of hell on runners. Glad you’re okay.
Joe
I want to get a foam roller as well. I’ve heard nothing but good things about them.