WHAT THE HELL

WHAT THE HELL I ask, you know the amount of injuries running causes you actually wonder if it is worth it.

I took a month off after Comrades, recently returned to the road and on Sunday ran a 10 km race with Anna. It was really one of the most painful runs I have ever done. On my left hip near the joint it hurts badly, so bad that I could hardly lift my leg to change the clutch on the way home.

So now I wonder is this the dreaded ITBS everyone talks about, turns out not, it seems to be Hip bursitis.




What is that well hip bursitis is a common problem that causes pain over the outside of the upper thigh. A bursa is a fluid filled sac that allows smooth motion between two uneven surfaces. For example, in the hip, a bursa rests between the bony prominence over the outside of the hip (the greater trochanter) and the firm tendon that passed over this bone. When the bursal sac becomes inflamed, each time the tendon has to move over the bone, pain results. Because patients with hip bursitis move this tendon with each step, hip bursitis symptoms can be quite painful.

Treatment

Rest
This usually means a period of time not participating in sports or activities that aggravate your symptoms. As a general rule of thumb, any activity that causes hip bursitis pain should be avoided--this only contributes to inflammation of the bursa.

Anti-inflammatory Medications

Anti-inflammatory medications (e.g. Motrin, Aleve, Naprosyn, etc.) will help control the inflammation associated with hip bursitis. These medications are helpful for the pain as well as diminishing inflammation.

Ice the Injury

Icing the area of hip bursitis often helps to alleviate the symptoms of hip bursitis. Especially after exercise, ice can control inflammation, and stimulate blood flow to the injured area.
Aspiration/Drainage of the Bursa

In some patients who have a significant amount of fluid that has collected within the bursa, a needle can be placed into the bursa to remove the fluid. This is rarely needed in cases of hip bursitis, but when it is done it may be combined with a cortisone injection (see below).

Cortisone Injection

A cortisone injection may also be given into the bursa in patients with pain. The cortisone injection is helpful because it can be both diagnostic and therapeutic. In cases where hip bursitis may be one of several diagnoses being considered, cortisone can be given to see if the shot helps to alleviate symptoms.

Once the initial symptoms are controlled, some physical therapy strengthening and stretching exercises may be helpful.

Stretching

Most patients find relief with stretching of the muscles and tendons that are found over the outside of the hip, specifically the iliotibial band. The idea is that a better conditioned muscle and tendon will glide more easily and not cause hip bursitis. Special attention to proper stretching technique is important.

Physical Therapy

Working with a physical therapist is a useful treatment adjunct for patients with hip bursitis. Not only can the therapist help develop a proper stretching and exercise program, but they can use modalities such as ultrasound which may be helpful as well.

Seriously rest forget it, I cant afford to rest anymore, I have already picked up 7 kgs since Comrades. So I will get some Myprodal and ice the area and stretch every time I go run, yes I know I am supposed to anyway but you will understand if you are a runner, you are normally the only idiot stretching and everyone gives you this WTF look. Drainage I don't think so, aint having needles poked into me.

So that is where I am right now, in pain and need to run....Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr !!!