Weak pelvic girdle and floor

[owmeknees]

Just wondering if anyone has experience of this impacting on their running? I graduated in June, (took me four months to graduate, trouble with knees initially but persevered and they strengthened) and then had another brief spell on IC due to thigh injury but had steadily been consolidating and building up distance since the end of August. I was just at the point of considering bridge to 10k when about 6 weeks ago I developed soreness in the groove where top of inner thigh meets, ahem ‘undercarriage’ and deep contraction/ spasm type pains in my bum, (similar to symptoms SAND_runs mentioned recently). I stopped running because I was finding just walking very uncomfortable and limping along in pain daily, everything very sore and achy. Saw GP after a month with no improvement and she thought possibly Piriformis Syndrome. Finally bit the bullet and saw a physio last night, (although symptoms have improved over last 10 days a little) and she told me it’s all down to weak pelvic girdle and pelvic floor and I’ve been advised not to run again until some strength is built.

This is starting to feel like it could be a long job and I do seem to be injury prone. I want to trust the professional but I’m not sure how weak pelvis explains the deep, deep pains in my bum and some of the other things I’ve been experiencing? Also, many of the symptoms associated with weak pelvic floor I don’t have 🤔

I’ve been given a couple of exercises to do and have to go back in two weeks. I was resigned to being patient and had already realised I might be going back to the start of couch 2 5k at the end of this but I’m starting to worry that maybe I’m just not built for running...

Any thoughts or suggestions in respect any of this appreciated! 😊

[over61andstilltrying Graduate10]

Hello owmeknees, I am so sorry that you have medical issues. It sounds like you have had more than you would like already. I am also sorry that I can't give any insight. I expect that you have hunted on the internet and so far drawn a blank. I do hope that between the medical folk, others you ask and your own research you find some help. We certainly have to listen to our bodies and respond accordingly, which it sounds like you are doing. I do hope recovery comes sooner than you expect. I'm sending you some flowers in the mean time 🌸🌺🌻

[owmeknees in reply to over61andstilltrying]

Thank you, I appreciate the flowers and kind words. I’m wiling to give things as long as they take to heal because I loved my couch 2 5K journey and if I have to start over again in a few weeks or even months, so be it! 😊

[SANDI_runs Graduate10]

Hey owmeknees I am sorry to hear the physio hasn't had all the answers you were hoping for. The pain in the bum sounds very much like what I have. Maybe you have piriformis problems as well as undercarriage issues?

I have spoken to a physio that I work with and he has confirmed my diagnosis and told me I'm doing the right exercises, but at the moment the pain is getting worse not better.

The physio has looked at my gait and advised I am not neutral as I was told when I went for gait analysis and has told me I need inserts in my trainers to prevent on going piriformis problems.

But running again feels so very far away for me at the moment.

Mind you it is nice not feeling like I have to go out in the cold and dark. I think I might take up swimming whilst I recover.

[owmeknees in reply to SANDI_runs]

Oops replied in wrong place Sandi! See above x

[SaskAlliecat Graduate10]

I went for pelvic floor Physio for quite awhile last year but my issue was more of too tight muscles in parts causing spasms and a very painful tailbone. My understanding is that the pelvic girdle acts as a sling and provides stability/strength and coordination for the low back, pelvic and hip pain in addition to supporting the organs and helping with sphincter control. For myself, relief was finally achieved by a combination of pelvic floor Physio, regular Physio and stress management, which for me, was incorporating running back into my routine. I hope you are able to find some relief; it was a long haul for myself but my pain was chronic, having been going on for over a year, with some but not enough improvement after surgery to remove the offending problem that started the pain in the first place.

[owmeknees in reply to SaskAlliecat]

Wow SaskAlliecat, that sounds like one long, hard journey to recovery! I’m glad to hear things improved eventually. I’m definitely feeling less uncomfortable each day at the moment so will press on with exercises the physio gave me and hope for the best 🤞

[Gingernutter]

Sorry to hear your suffering but your physio is the one to ask. You're probably paying for the treatment so if you don't understand the cause, treatment or prognosis then you should be asking. At least you will know where you what you need to do and for how long. This will then allow you to focus on your treatment and keep you positive+ it's your health, take control!

[owmeknees in reply to Gingernutter]

Hi Gingernutter, yes I think I was a bit overwhelmed when I saw the physio, lots to process and not the diagnosis I expected. I’ll be more prepared with some questions next time 👍

[owmeknees]

Hi Sandi, sorry to hear that things are getting worse not better. I’m glad you’ve got a plan of action though and I hope things settle and recovery comes sooner than you imagine. Swimming sounds like a plan, I was thinking that myself. 👍😊

[Deals1 Graduate10 in reply to owmeknees]

Hope things improve for u soon 😓

[owmeknees in reply to Deals1]

Thank you Deals! 😊🤞

[Dexy5 Graduate10]

Sorry to hear of your medical issues owmeknees. I hope things start improving soon . Here are some grapes to add to your flowers from 61+

🍇🍇

[owmeknees in reply to Dexy5]

Thanks Dexy! 😋

[Equi-geek Graduate10]

Oh OMK, I was wondering how you were only yesterday evening. Sorry to hear you have more to deal with. My hip cartilage tear started with pain in that same location, the hip felt very ‘loose’ at the time I injured it (riding horses for too long one morning) and by the next day it was extremely stiff and there was a big loss of range of movement that didn’t ease up in a couple of days. If you found something similar I’d ask for a re-assessment. Hope it eases soon 😗

[owmeknees in reply to Equi-geek]

Hey Equi, I’ve been watching your progress, you’ve been doing amazingly, I’ve just felt too meh to post much! Yeah, I’m not convinced by my diagnosis but am going with it for now, lots of questions for physio next time though. Not giving up or giving in yet 💪😊