Dear Neil,
I'm a 29 year old male, I have been a keen recreational jogger for 12 years
without any injury. About 3 months ago I started getting aches on the underside
of my right foot, where the 2nd toe joins the foot. I jogged through this a
couple of times without much pain, but once I stop running the pain is so bad
that I can hardly walk.
My doctor told me that I had a bruised pad and to take it easy on my foot. 3
months on and I am still in pain. About 2 weeks ago I started getting a burning
feeling in my right hip, the burning subsided and I am now left with an ache and
a "full" feeling in the hip, when I lie on my side it feels as though I have
something in my pocket even though I have not. I have started to get aches in my
right groin and right side also and an ache in my leg going down to my knee.
I was wondering if my original foot injury (whatever it turns out to be) could
be causing me to alter my walk because of the pain, and this could in turn cause
the pain in my hip.
Have you heard of any cases like this? I would be grateful for any information
you can give me.
Paul, what you describe as an etiology is actually fairly common. The LE is a
biomechanical chain, and altering one end of the chain often causes trouble at
the other end. I wish more physio's made the same connection you did! It sounds
like you have developed a trochanteric bursitis in your hip, and you should make
certain to get treatment for it along with your foot. Myofascial release,
stretching, and occasionally phonophoresis using ultra sound are effective
treatments. Best of luck to you.
.
.
