Last year, originally motivated by the Race for Life,I took up walking briskly to keep fit. I would walk 3 miles maybe 3 or 4 times a week. After a while I started to feel a strain developing around the top of my thigh and the left side of my knee ( left leg) - it was worse going up hill. I made sure I did more stretching before I started however the soreness at the top of my leg got worse to the point that since November last year I havent done any walking...and I miss it massively.
As a Bowen therapist I of course had treatments from May to October trying two different Bowen therapists. My hips had been out of line however the Bowen fixed that but not the soreness at the top of the thigh.
I then went to physio at the local hospital - unfortunately the physio was not hands on and the one exercise she gave me whilst there, which was stretching my legs out straight whilst lying supine, hanging by the sacrum upwards off the end of a couch, actually did more damage causing my sacrum to crunch out and straining my back resulting in sciatica!!
I have since had 6 Mctimoney chiropractic treatments which has aligned my spine and hips however the practitioner who is also a sports therapist seems to feel that he cannot really help the original problem in the upper thigh. He says it is a vague area that may have frayed quadriceps tendons (I've never noticed any bruising to denote a tear)- he does not think an MRI scan will show anything.
I am now getting very concerned, spring is almost sprung and I want to get back out there exercising but the soreness is constant sitting and when I step out. It is painful if I crouch feeling like a tearing burning when I get up and now it is affecting my work - if I sit down its painful to get up.
Does anyone have any ideas on what this problem may be (I appreciate not seeing me doesnt make that easy) or do you know any top notch therapist in East Sussex/ Southern Kentthat may be able to help me.
Any suggestions gratefully received :).
Lin
RE: Quadricep Tendon Problem...I think!!
Hi Loubin,
I am suprised your sports therapist has been so dismissive, I wonder where he trained? you mentionknee pain and top of thigh pain which is a bit vague but possibly TFL and IT band tension, does your thigh feel tight along its lateral surface?
Gaz
RE: Quadricep Tendon Problem...I think!!
Hi Gaz
Thanks for replying so quickly.
No real tension on ITB...my hams have been tight but I do stretch them daily. When it first happened I thought it might be somthing to do also with the psoas...the main inflammation type soreness is at the top of the thigh below the inguinal ligament. The therapist (Mainly practices Mctimoney but advised he trained at a top sports therapy school that goes by a females name and having a senior moment I cant remember the name!! :)) told me he felt the quads insertion was unstable...does that help?
Lin
RE: Quadricep Tendon Problem...I think!!
Hi Lin
Have sent you a PM
Kazzie
RE: Quadricep Tendon Problem...I think!!
Hi Again,
Have you been muscle tested to confirm weakness? if so what results, do you have a good ITB stretch?
will check in later going to pick kids up from school! now the real work begins.
take care
Gaz
RE: Quadricep Tendon Problem...I think!!
Hi Gaz
No muscle testing done as far as I know...when the physio assessed she was very vague and unwilling to commit to an answer!
I have noticed soreness along the ITB - kind of anterior and posterior actually...sometimes it feels like it moves around which I know is not helpful.
I asked Kazzie this but you may have recommendations too - do you know of a sports therapist who uses sports therapy as their Main practice in my area...I'm in St Leonards on Sea. Perhaps someone who works regularly with sports teams - is there an association for this type of therapist that I can contact for recommendations?
Many thanks
Lin
RE: Quadricep Tendon Problem...I think!!
Hi Loubin,
try the sports therapy organisation website thet have a find a therapist page where you will find your local therapist, where is St leonards, sorry but dont know, If its near Gt yarmouth as I know a good therapist there, also you ention sports teams, what do you do!
briefly if you lay on your back flex knee to 90 degrees and apply maxreistance, better if someone else does this,can you hold it there against the resistance, move to 135 degrees, 45 degrees etc to strength test. post results here and i'll check back later.
Gaz
RE: Quadricep Tendon Problem...I think!!
Hi Gaz
Thanks for the advice. I tried the testing with my partner and I seemed to be ok on all three angles...hmm. I have an app to see my Mctimony/sports massage chap on Monday and will ask him about testing and what he feels my responses are. Also will quiz him on ITB/TFL injuries. I noticed on one site cycling can affect this type of injury - I do cycle (in fair weather) and we have a lot of hills round here that I attempt to do so I'm wondering if that's what set it off last summer.
Am also looking for a sports therapist nearer to home so hopefully I can get this resolved. Actually I need to be fit for the end of May when I'm going on a walking holiday in Cumbria so its all getting a little more urgent now 🙂
Thanks again for your advice.
Lin
RE: Quadricep Tendon Problem...I think!!
HI Loubin,
Ask your chap to do a thomas test, to rule out hip flexor dysfunction,
Gaz
RE: Quadricep Tendon Problem...I think!!
Hi Gaz
Dont know how but I missed your last suggestion before I saw him [:@]however I do remembermy therapistsaying my mobility dropping the leg outwards was restricted.
The main outcome now has been that he diagnosed Bursitis and recommended I go back for a second opinion at the docs which I have done...and yes the doc agrees. I am now down to see a consultant probably for a cortisone injection - not something I want but i need to get walking again sooner rather than later. I have tried special aromatherapy mixes made up by a colleagueon the joint which ease the inflammation temporarily however as soon as I've done a days work its back to where it was.
My therapist has also given me some stretches for adductors, hams and quads as well as recommending a sports massage therapist in the area.
If you have any other ideas on how I can deal with the inflammation bearing in mind it is now chronic let me know - otherwise I shall be getting a new piercing in my hipnext Thursday 😀
thanks
Lin
RE: Quadricep Tendon Problem...I think!!
Hi LIn,
I begin to wonder about your therapist who says he is a sports therapist, but doesnt offer sports massage, and is not trained or qualified to dianose, that is the preserve of the Allied Health Professionals. Where is your bursitis supposed to be is it psoas bursitis?
just been back thru' the posts and wondered if you get any pain when sneezing or coughing as that could be indicative of Transverse Abs problem.
Before having the injection I would definitely seek an opinion from someone else, I have been down that roadmyself after having problem shoulder joint for last 23 years, the injection was the first step on a ladder of ever more invasive treatment, now at 41 years old I have a nice shiny titanium joint!!!!.
all the best
Gaz
RE: Quadricep Tendon Problem...I think!!
Hi Lin,
If you are still looking for treatment and dont mind travel to west Sussex.
I would recommend Tracy Gates at The Doneechka Clinic, Mill Straight, Southwater. RH13 9EY
Tel: 01403 730342
She is a superb Applied Kinesiologist and Osteopath. She is a diplomat of the AK and teaches as well as practices.
Worth giving her a bell, Good luck,Chris