Unexplained Hip Pain

[Torque]

I recently developed some hip pain and wondered if anyone was familiar with this or had any treatment tips. It’s been going on for about 3 or 4 weeks, and as far as I can tell it wasn’t from any particular incident. By way of stats, I’m 5’11’ about 180 and I am doing Craig’s TT for fat loss, with cycling intervals and the occasional 3-5 mile run.

I noticed it when trying to sit cross-legged (crisscross-applesauce or Indian style) on the floor with my children to play games with them one day. After sitting down and crossing my legs, I couldn’t lower my right knee towards the ground. When I tried, I received a sharp pain in the front of my hip, at the top of the leg. I also receive this pain when trying to get into my wife’s small car. Other than that it doesn’t really bother me, but I’m concerned that the issue is lingering.

If anyone has any thoughts or recommendations it would be appreciated. I don’t know if I should just wait this out or seek treatment.

Thanks!

[Bill Hartman]

Spend some time stretching your short adductors (groin muscles) and your hip flexors. If you have a stand up alternative to the bike, that may also be influencing some anterior hip tightness and anterior pelvic tilt or an anteriorly positioned innominate (one side of your pelvis rotates forward compared to the other side).

In extreme hip flexion positions (lowered sitting), you can impinge the soft-tissues or bursae that sits just below the pointy bone in the front of your hip.

Bill

[Torque]

Wow! Thanks for the quick response Bill.

When you mentioned a stand up alternative to the bike to you mean an elliptical or running? (both of which I can do).

I went to exrx.net to look at some adductor stenches and don't think that this particular pain will allow me to do any of these. This is exactly the movement that hurts.

Should I just do them and stop whining?

Thanks again!

[Bill Hartman]

Start with a split stretch version (legs straight) in a comfortable range and work outward until you can do the others.

Bill

[Torque]

Great stuff! Thanks Bill, I'll start on it today!