Getting old sucks.
And I'm not even that old...
I've been dealing with a nagging hip ailment for almost a year now. The thing is that it only bugs me when I'm going race pace on the bike. If I'm just tootling around I'm totally fine. If I'm walking down the street there's nothing.
The pain started happening during my first MTB race last year. I don't know if it was an improper bike fit, under trained, the ridiculous cold (17 degrees) or an old bike wreck come back to haunt me (Lord knows I've had plenty of those too.). Frankly it could have been any one of those things or all of them in no particular order. But what I know is that the pain never really goes away whenever I try to turn the pedals in anger.
Now I'm sure the question in everyone's mind is; What have you done about it? Fair question.
I've gone to the chiropractor, massage therapist, and pro bike fitter. Next on the agenda is an acupuncturist.
I'm sure a few of you have noticed a doctor and physical therapist aren't on that list yet. I'm apprehensive to go to the doctor... I have a pretty good idea of what he's going to tell me. I've gone through all this with my shoulder before.
This is how the scenario runs through my mind:
Doctor looks at me
Tells me to stay off the bike for 3-4 weeks
Physical therapy
Stretches and strengthening exercises
After that doesn't work. Take the needle (Cortisone shot).
The thing is that I've tried all that (Minus the needle).
If the acupuncturists doesn't work I'll go the official route... I don't know. I guess no one has ever accused me of being bright.
I'd just really like to tear legs off without feeling like I'm doing the same thing to my own.
So I'll keep you all posted (I'm sure you're riveted).
Thanks for reading!
Rubber side down,
Big E
Jorge maybe on to something. I'd add leeches and aroma therapy (beans work the best).
ReplyDeleteSome number of years ago, after enduring a painful bonk at the end of a century ride (you and Jason almost carried me the last 20 miles) I discovered a similar pain to yours. One day, quite by accident as they took x-rays after one of my many crashes, the physician asked: "So, when did you break your leg?" What? I've never broken my leg. "Oh, yes you have." Sho 'nough, right there in the x-rays was a clean break of my fibula. It had healed mis-aligned. The lower part of my leg bone protruded out a millimeter or two. Every time I go hard, the muscles, tendons, and nerves have to flex and stretch beyond normal causing the pain. The point here is, you should get yourself checked out. Get some x-rays and /or MRI to rule out the possibility of a hidden injury you didn't even know you had. Good luck my friend. It's no fun not being able to perform like you want. Hope you get this figured out soon. "Rubber side down."
ReplyDeleteI have had an x-ray. No bone damage for sure. Cartilage and all that looked good. It most likely a soft tissue problem. The worst thing it could be is a ligament tear. Which hasn't been ruled out. Although I've had ligament tears in the past and they hurt all the time. Not just on the bike when I'm going hard. So who knows. I'm working on finding the answer.
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