New Runner with Unilateral Hip Pain

Question
Hi there,

I am a 26-year-old female, and I've always been in good health- physically active with no joint pain. I have jogged a bit in the past, and I once ran a 10K with very little training, which left me with a week of plantar fascitis but no hip, knee, or ankle pain (this was 6 months ago). Recently, I've been running a bit more. I started with about 3 miles, upped it to 5 with a break in between, and then tried 5 all at once a few days ago. Even starting with the 3 mile runs, however, my right hip has been hurting during and after the run, and continuing to hurt for a few days after. It seems to be getting worse with every run (though that could be the distance).

Here is a description of the pain: my whole right hip feels generally sore, with a sharp pain starting in the hip (difficult to tell exactly where, though) and becoming sharper as it travels down my quadriceps. It happens every time I put my weight on my right leg and sometimes when there is pressure on my right hamstring, like when I sit on a seat with a corner pressing up on my thigh. However, doing hip-flexor exercises doesn't seem to aggravate it.

Can I still run? Do I need a PT? I am a starving grad student with no health insurance.

Thanks so much for your time.

Answer
Dear Rachel,
This Chicago Podiatrist located in West Loop 60661,Roscoe Village 60618,Elmhurst 60126 & Bartlett 60103 says...
For your hip pain...
Give your injury a chance to heal-maybe up to 4-6 weeks. Sounds like an irritation of the Iliotibial band (ITB) with possible irritation of the muscles & tendons of that area.
Google ITB stretches.Do pool exercises/running in the interim to keep you fit.
PRICE the area
Protect-Ace wrap the area/leg
R-Rest-speaks for itself
I-Ice-as much as possible after your training-up to 2 days after the pain stops
C-Compress-Ace wrap the area/leg
E-Elevate-will help if it throbs
Short term anti-inflammatories are OK

Hope This Helps!
and
Good Luck!
The podiatrists of AnkleNFootCenters.com are specialists in foot & ankle pain.
We are located in Chicago & Elmhurst

Dr George Tsatsos & Svetlana Zats
Podiatrist Chicago 60618 & Elmhurst 60126 Podiatrists
Board Certified in Foot and Ankle Surgery & Orthopedics
New South Loop Location-Chicago 60661
AnkleNFoot.com
Runnersdoc.com
BabyFootDoc.com

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