A 32-year-old female runner and triathlete presents with deep anterior hip and groin pain that worsens with sitting, cycling, and running. Dr. Kate Mihevc Edwards (PT), Dr. Sara Raiser (Running Medicine Physician), and sports dietitian Kelsey Pontius dig into a complex but common clinical picture: when hip impingement (FAI), labral irritation, or soft tissue overload may be compounded by pelvic floor dysfunction, hormonal shifts, or fueling gaps.
The team breaks down differential diagnosis—how to distinguish hip joint pathology from lumbar referral, hip flexor pain, or femoral stress—and explores gait mechanics, breathing patterns, pelvic floor “piston” function, and nutrition’s role in muscle health and recovery. Practical strategies include what to look for in gait analysis, single-leg squat, and functional movement, plus how to modify training.
This conversation is built for athletes, coaches, and clinicians alike—anyone navigating stubborn hip pain that doesn’t resolve with rest or generic rehab.
Timestamps
- 0:00 – Welcome & why anterior hip pain is often misdiagnosed
- 4:30 – Case intro: 32-year-old runner/triathlete with hip & groin pain
- 8:15 – Red flags: femoral neck stress fracture vs. hip flexor vs. FAI
- 13:00 – Pelvic floor clues & the diaphragm–pelvic floor piston
- 18:45 – Gait mechanics, arm swing, and hidden rotation issues
- 23:30 – Nutrition, hormones & pelvic floor muscle health
- 28:50 – Lever system: managing load while rehabbing hips
- 33:10 – Final takeaways: physician, dietitian, and PT perspectives
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