Might you have Andie MacDowell’s health condition?
Andie MacDowell has revealed that mystery pains in her leg led her to fear that her hip joint had worn out, before she discovered that their true cause was a painful nerve condition.
Speaking on The Drew Barrymore Show, the 66-year-old actress said that the condition left her feeling like: “I was literally falling apart, like I was gonna have to get new pieces.” In fact, she continued: “I thought I was gonna have to have hip replacement. Thank God, my hips are fine.” Instead, the Four Weddings And A Funeral star was suffering from an often-misunderstood condition called Piriformis syndrome.
What is Piriformis syndrome?
“Piriformis syndrome occurs when the piriformis muscle, located deep in the buttocks, compresses or irritates the sciatic nerve,” explains Sam Bhide, a leading physiotherapist. “This small muscle plays a crucial role in stabilising the hip and allowing us to rotate our thighs outward.”
MacDowell’s symptoms were brought on after intensive training sessions on an exercise bike. That is not uncommon, says Bhide: “the condition often results from overuse, such as repetitive motions during running or cycling, or from prolonged sitting. Trauma, such as a fall, or anatomical differences in individuals can also contribute.”
What are the symptoms?
The condition can be challenging to live with, says Bhide: “Patients often report deep, aching pain in one buttock, this pain can radiate down the back of the leg, resembling sciatica. Some may even experience numbness or tingling in the leg or foot, especially after prolonged sitting or climbing stairs.”
Who’s most at risk?
The condition is surprisingly common, especially among women. Around 5% sciatica cases (when irritation of the sciatic nerve causes sharp and severe radiating pain from the back or buttock into the leg and foot) are thought to be caused by the syndrome.
While it affects people of all ages, aging can increase your risk, says Bhide: “reduced flexibility, muscle strength, and prolonged sitting as we grow older can all contribute. However, younger individuals who engage in high-impact or repetitive sports are also at risk.”
What can you do?
MacDowell credits a new exercise regime with eradicating her pain: “I have to work the bottom and work my hip. I just do it every day,” she said. “It doesn’t hurt anymore – it’s a miracle, it really is.”
Bhide agrees that incorporating specific exercises into your routine can help alleviate symptoms by stretching and strengthening the piriformis and surrounding muscles. You don’t necessarily need a personal trainer, though. Instead, she says, try these three steps: “First: stand and walk every 20 minutes to prevent muscle stiffness. Then incorporate gentle movements such as rolling side to side, flexing and extending your knees while lying on each side. Applying heat to the affected area before stretching can help relax the muscle and enhance flexibility.”
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