Unilateral Hip Weakness from Pain

During a recent lockdown I have developed weakness in all the muscles that support hip movement. This is due to ‘protective’ actions to reduce pain while going up and down stairs and getting up from chairs. These movements aggravate a variable pain in my right thigh.

The Physio had recommended unilateral training to build that side up. Does this make sense to you or should I concentrate on activating the right hip muscles during training?

Hi there, sorry to hear about your right thigh pain. I would not necessarily agree with the narrative that “protective actions” during movements like going up/down stairs and standing up from chairs have caused you to develop unilateral hip weakness and/or have contributed to you developing hip/thigh pain. Pain is much more complex, and we cannot confidently reduce our pain experience to a simple biomechanical issue.
We would be happy to consult with you remotely to hear more about your specific situation. I am confident that we could help you find a starting point in activity and training to get you back to doing the things that are important to you.

Hannah, Thankyou for the offer. I now have a diagnosis (ilio-psoas bursitis). The team at Sydney Strength Training (a BBM affiliate) are onto it for me.

I haven’t found anything on this website on the topic, despite the problem being associated with Squating.

Best Wishes

Dr Baby

Glad you got some help. I wouldn’t necessarily agree with the diagnosis of iliopsoas bursitis and would be curious to hear how someone arrived at this diagnosis for you. Joe and Rheece are great, so I’m sure you are in good hands. Best of luck!

Well. The possibility of ilio-psoas bursitis was suggested as a possibility by my trusted physiotherapist and then I read up the symptoms etc etc and decided I fitted the syndrome perfectly. This was a very popular result with me as I felt that a problem with my r hip replacement was very unlikely and that a jab of hydrocortisone into the bursa would solve the issue.

Sadly, the ultrasound today of iliopsoas and Rectus femoris was absolutely normal, both left and right side. So it is back to the surgeon for a discussion. I agree I am in good hands with Rheece and Joe.

Best of luck with your situation, curious to see what your surgeon says.