Hip Pain While Aero

author : AMSSM

comments : 0

When I enter the tucked, aero position on the bike I get a binding sensation and pain as I raise the right leg when I pedal. How can I still maintain the aerodynamic race position without pain?

Member Question

"I am 50 years old and am training for my first triathlon but I have an old Martial Arts injury in my right hip.  The problem is caused when I enter the tucked, aero position on the bike I get a binding sensation with pain as I raise the right leg when I pedal.  The muscles become very tight in that area and then causes a lot of pain thereafter.  When I am seated more vertically in the seat I don't have the pain.  How can I still maintain the aerodynamic race position and train without pain in my hip?"

By Luis Salazar, MD
Member AMSSM

I think that it’s important to understand how the right hip was functioning prior to beginning training and to what extent the old martial arts injury may or may not play a role.  The pain that you are feeling could be due to a number of issues, including:

• labral disease (cartilage damage in the hip)


• femoral-acetabular impingement


• osteoarthritis of the hip, or


• iliopsoas bursitis. 

It could be that you are seated too aggressively in the aero position (for example if your saddle is too low you could be extremely flexing your hip when trying to use your hip flexors). 

One place to begin is to eliminate some potential biomechanical causes.  You should have a bike fit analysis performed by a sports medicine doctor or physical therapist.  As a beginner triathlete, you may find a proper bike fit very educational and valuable in your current and future training.  They will likely take a slightly different approach then was taken with your original fit when you purchased the bike.  If this does not eliminate your pain or you are developing new symptoms, then it may be valuable to be evaluated by a sports medicine physician familiar with cyclists.

Rating

Click on star to vote

23671 Total Views  |  15 Views last 30 days  |  6 Views last 7 days

date: March 28, 2012