Hip Pain While Swimming in OW

RE: Hip Pain While Swimming in OW

Former Member — Mon, 21 Sep 2009 13:15:40 GMT

Finished Big Shoulders 5k last week and had hip pain almost the entire time. I was having back problems for several weeks prior to the race and went to a chiropractor two times the week of the race (had never been to one before). When I finished the race, my hips felt like a finished a marathon. Very sore for a few days. On my visit to the chiropractor last week he said after the first visits I might have gained more flexibility and range and thus used muscles in a different fashion. While that might be the case, I like the theory earlier in this thread that attributed the pain to increase kick needed in the choppy water.

RE: Hip Pain While Swimming in OW

Gdavis — Mon, 21 Sep 2009 11:28:38 GMT

Hey Jamie Hope the the big race went well. How are your hips?

RE: Hip Pain While Swimming in OW

Gdavis — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 03:18:57 GMT

Hey Jamie. Good to hear that you got sensible feedback from the ortho. Hopefully the PT will help address the problem. Good luck in your long race in VT - maybe it will even be sunny by then!

RE: Hip Pain While Swimming in OW

Former Member — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 07:41:20 GMT

Hey Everyone, wanted to post an update to my nagging hip problem. I swam a 2 mile race over the weekend with basically no pain in my hips, which was good (The pain usually starts after 2 miles though). I saw an orthopedic doctor who specializes in hip problems and he said a few things: he thinks I don't have enough flexibility in my hip flexors so he prescribed 6 weeks of PT 2x per week which will take me right up to the date of my 8 mile race in Vermont. He also said that he thinks there may be microscopic labral tears in the muscles in that area which is causing the pain. He suffers from labral tears in one of his hips and says that he can not swim distances when they are inflamed. And finally, he said that the ball and socket bones in my leg/hip are just very slightly misshapen so that being in a horizontal position for a long period of time kicking could cause the pain. Other than the PT, he said that cortizone shots are an option but I think I'd like to avoid those if possible. I have had several people tell me that I need to stretch my hip flexors more, so I am hoping the PT pays off. Will post again with my progress though!

RE: Hip Pain While Swimming in OW

orca1946 — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 07:13:52 GMT

Good luck Jamie. Let's hope there is better fix than replacement !!!!

RE: Hip Pain While Swimming in OW

Former Member — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 12:22:37 GMT

Glad to hear a few others have had this pain in OW too!! I noticed that doing 6 or 7 kicks breaststroke at about every mile mark during the Bay swim seemed to stretch out my hip joints and made them feel better for at least 15 min or so (although I was unhappy that I had to slow down and do breaststoke). I would agree that it likely has something to do with the chop since those conditions aren't present in a pool. I also wonder if it has to do with tensing up in a race setting, although I am not sure how to change that so I relax more. I will definitely post anything that I find out about this!

RE: Hip Pain While Swimming in OW

Gdavis — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 08:42:49 GMT

The big differences out in OW are no flip turns and lots of looking up for sighting, and the chop makes it harder to sight. Flip turns change/relieve pressure on the hips; sighting increases pressure on the hips. Therefore OW stresses hip flexors more. The thing that concerned me about your post was the persistence of the pain after the race. That's why I suggested an ortho check. In any event, you will probably want to start to doing PT specific to hip girdle, flexors, core etc which will help you cope with the stresses of OW competition. Hope this is helpful. PS Do you do much kick training? If not, you may find that doing some will help build hip flexor strength and make the OW racing easier, even if you hardly kick in the race.

RE: Hip Pain While Swimming in OW

Former Member — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 05:42:08 GMT

Funny you should ask about kicking- I hate kick sets and am not very good at kicking fast, so I avoid kick sets when I can, but I'll try your advice and throw some more kick in my workouts. Good point that you have to look up and sight while swimming OW- raising my head does put stress on the lower half of my body. Thanks again for all of your help!

RE: Hip Pain While Swimming in OW

Former Member — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 12:48:05 GMT

Interesting. I did my first Chesepeake Bay swim this past Sunday and also had hip/pelvis pain for the first time ever. Mine was only on the right side though and I was able to work it out. I wouldn't have thought twice about it until I read this post. I think you're correct and it has something to do with the wetsuit and the position it holds your legs/body in, especially when you turn on your side to breath. Mine was not as bad as yours though and I worked it out during the race and had no problems after. If you ever figure it out, let me know.

RE: Hip Pain While Swimming in OW

Former Member — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 12:25:23 GMT

Thanks so much for all of your advice. I've never posted on the forums before and it's nice to get advice from others who have similar issues. I wrote down the number of an orthopedic specialist tonight and will be making an appointment tomorrow. I also checked out surfacehippy...thanks again. I am doing an 8 mile swim in Vermont in August and can't bear the thought of having this pain creep up on me at mile 2 again. I'll post again once I get some news from the ortho, wish me luck!!!

RE: Hip Pain While Swimming in OW

FindingMyInnerFish — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 11:27:13 GMT

In the last mile or so of my 5-miler two years ago, I noticed my right hip feeling a bit sore--not as severe as what jheil described, but I too didn't have any problem with it in the pool (even when I swam the race distance). I also didn't notice it during shorter OW swims such as a mile. Toward the end of my long race, there was a lot of chop. I wonder if that could be a factor, but I'm no expert.

RE: Hip Pain While Swimming in OW

Former Member — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 06:10:09 GMT

Sounds like the classic sign of osteoarthritis. I am an extensive masters swimmer and I have had my right hip resurfaced due to OA, and I couldn't be happier. You should have it checked out by an orthopedic Dr and if they mention "total hip replacement" head for the hills. Definately check out "hip resurfacing" as that is what I had and it is much better for active, younger people. I'm 46, had surgery when I was 42, and just won 2 events at Y Nationals this year after a long layoff, so the resurfacing has worked wonders for me. Google the term, "surfacehippy". It's a yahoo chat group that gives great info on hip pain and surgeries. I personally saw a guy in Comumbia, SC, Dr Thomas Gross, (www.grossortho.com) and again, after being in severe pain for years, I am very happy with my results. There is hope!

RE: Hip Pain While Swimming in OW

orca1946 — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 05:22:10 GMT

After 2 replacments ,I would do something else first !!! Could it be IT band soreness ? that is in the same place.

RE: Hip Pain While Swimming in OW

Gdavis — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 02:46:01 GMT

Hi Kurt I too am a surfacehippy and have had a similar experience. My concerns for Jamie are: 1. I hope she doesn't have OA, but I think she needs to check out the hips thoroughly. 2. If she does, she's still very young to consider a resurfacing or replacement, so if her symptoms are manageable a "pre-hab", no running/impact etc. regime would probably be best in the medium term. 3. Women's joints are different/less bone so orthos are much more cautious about recommending the resurfacing option (as far as I know). But as you say, there usually are good options for active OA sufferers. Glad to hear your swimming goes well.

RE: Hip Pain While Swimming in OW

Gdavis — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 01:48:59 GMT

I haven't experienced exactly what you describe, but I suffer from osteoarthitis affecting my hips. Your hip pain sounds a bit troubling. I think your pain may be a warning signal. I suggest that you consult an orthopedic specialist to take a look at the hip joints. You may be in early stages of OA - if so you will want to manage your hips carefully. I'm not a medically trained person, but I would be happy to tell you more about my experiences with OA if relevant/helpful to you. PM if you prefer