Ask a PT

156 Posts
 
Posted - 11/26/2007 :  08:29:26  Show Profile  Reply with Quote
Our user asked: "Hi, In September 2006 I ran a half marathon, after being an avid short distance runner for years. During training, I developed a dull pain in...well, if I were to point to it, it would be the cleft in my right butt. The pain feels like it's coming from the tendons that connect my hamstring and hip, and sometimes the pain also occurs in the large tendon in the back of my knee. Also, sometimes when I'm sitting it feels like I'm sitting on a small lump under my right sit-bone (I had never felt that before the injury). The upshot of these symptoms is that I went to the doctor, and he said that it was a sciatic nerve problem. He gave me stretches to do, and said a physical therapist wouldn't help. However, the stretches don't help, and I've been dealing with this pain for over a year now. I used to be a runner, but now... Does this sound like a sciatic nerve problem? From what I've read about sciatic nerve symptoms, my problem seems similar yet distinct. Should I try to get a second opinion? Would a PT be able to help?"

Ask a PT Response: "The proximal insertion of the hamstring is at the ischial tuberosity, the bone which you sit on. Your hamstring may have been affected as your body transitioned from running short distances to long distances. You mention frequently that your pain is located at the region of the hamstring tendons in the area of the ischial tuberosity and at the back of the knee by the tibia. This sounds more consistent with a hamstring injury vs sciatica where the sciatic nerve is involved and results in pain at the region of the buttock and radiating pain down the leg. Since you have been dealing with this condition for over a year now and the stretches your doctor prescribed have not helped, I would definitely seek the attention of a physical therapist. He or she should would be able to conduct a more detailed evaluation and determine if you have a sciatic nerve problem, hamstring problem or some other problem. Good luck with your condition."