Your running buddy notices her hip and groin gets stiff during the run and is stiff getting in and out of a chair for the next day. It is worst while sitting at work for several hours. She needs to go for a walk and the first few steps she needs to straighten up to be able walk normally. Is this only muscle soreness, right?
The last member of the group is sore in her calf muscle group on both legs for several hours after a run. Stretching helps but it happens after every run. Why both sides?
These are interesting cases but good knowledge of the human body, loading characteristics of different tissues are imperative to discern benign muscle soreness from potentially damaging joint disease and arthritis.
Generally, the body should not get sore over or in a joint after running!
Let’s start with the calf soreness runner. Generally, if there is pain on both sides in a muscle group away from a joint that is an ok sign. If it was one muscle and in a localised point within the muscle this could potentially be a muscle strain. Especially if it tightened up after jumping over a gutter or a stray dog! This runner most likely has DOMS (delayed onset muscle soreness) from the running load. Something I would add is there a fatigue component to that muscle group? Do they need strengthening there? Is there calf endurance greater than 25 reps each leg.
The knee pain runner in the absence of a knee injury, has probably developed some muscle imbalance to cause some patellofemoral joint pain. Leaving this unchecked can cause further problems and more significant pathology so you should be careful. Often foam roller applied to the thigh and ITB (illiotibial band) can help this problem markedly. Another little trick is looking at calf muscle range of movement. If this is not effective best to consult us for a more in-depth consultation to ascertain that there is not chrondromalacia patellae present.
Lastly and potentially the most damaging could be intra articular hip pathology.
Stiffness in a joint after exercise is not a good sign at all. That deep hard to localize pain that may over around from time to time. The joint is telling the athlete ‘I don’t like what you just did to me!’ If you continue with this exercise regime long term, you may be causing irreversible joint wear and tear. The hip can remain silent or subclinical for a long time and only shows pain symptoms when the cartilage has started to wear. If this is you consult us for an assessment and rehabilitation plan.
Happy running!!!