Found the reason why I can't do the splits... suggestions

Discussion in 'Health and Fitness' started by bphan002, Sep 30, 2010.

  1. bphan002

    bphan002 Valued Member

    Well I knew when I stretch that it was painful and I read topics that you need to move the hips a certain way first so the bones wouldn't be hitting each other.

    I just couldn't achieve it still and instead of the splits being a stretch it felt painful like something was blocking me from going further.

    Anyway I went to see a doctor and I guess for whatever reason the results of the x-ray took forever. Here are the results, which I'm still confused and maybe someone can help understand it if you have had a similar situation.


    Findings:
    Prominent marginal osteophytes are present at the right femoral head. Hyperostosis at the anterolateral subcapital aspect of the right femoral neck suggest possible femoral acteabular impingement. There is a minimal narrowing of the superolateral, weight-bearing aspect of the right hip joint space and minimal hypertrophy of the superolateral acetabular margin.

    Impression:
    Mild to moderate right hip joint osteoarthritis versus femoroacetabular impingement. Further evaluation is recommended. MRI of the right hip may be helpful in evaluating the integrity of the acetabular labrum.

    My doctor suggested seeing a chiropractor, sports medicine, or kinseology specialist. I've had experience where chiropractor was not of much help. Have any of you seen a sports medicine or kinseologist?
     
  2. Van Zandt

    Van Zandt Mr. High Kick

  3. Roaster

    Roaster New Member

    Hi there. I came across this thread while googling FAI and high kicking. I've been diagnosed with a labral tear as a result of femoroacetabular impingement. This has made it quite difficult to do high turning kicks and spins. It got to the stage where I'd have to ice my joints for about an hour or two after every session, and I'd be sore for a few days afterwards.

    I've now stopped hard training. I'm still teaching, but I'd love to be able to return to training without having to endure days of pain after every session.

    I'm looking at surgery to remove the impingement and repair the labrum, but am having trouble finding cases where martial artists have done this and then returned to training.

    I'm interested in whether there was permanent reduction in function after the procedure, and whether full flexibility can be regained after recovery.

    Has anyone had this problem? Has anyone undergone this procedure? Has anyone done either these and recovered well enough to keep training hard?
     
  4. 47MartialMan

    47MartialMan Valued Member

    If there are reasons why you can't do something, you should be focusing on what you can do and work on this.
     
  5. Kwajman

    Kwajman Penguin in paradise....

    First of all you have to look at why you want to do the splits? It doesn't really have any application to martial arts and you might hurt yourself and lose hours of training if you try to do the splits too much or force them. The hips don't like to do certain things after a certain, depending on how old you are of course. But be careful.
     
  6. 47MartialMan

    47MartialMan Valued Member

    Kudos!

    I would like to include;

    From a beginners view, the lure of being able to do something is itself a set goal. It doesn't have to be realistic or practical.

    I remember, I was this way many decades ago.
     
  7. Van Zandt

    Van Zandt Mr. High Kick

    The idea that splits have no place in martial arts training is simply not true. We all more or less know that flexibility is range of motion. Mobility (sometimes called dynamic flexibility) is control through the range of motion. You can develop mobility by dynamic stretches (though they are not absolutely necessary). But how can you train mobility if you don't have the flexibility to begin with? The simple answer is "you can't." A rational training programme, which will produce visible gains in flexibility in just a few days, should prescribe working on flexibility before mobility. Splits make high kicks require less effort and promote healthy biomechanical posture during kicks. You might not like the idea of not doing any high kicks for a few months until you can do splits, but it will be better for your long-term health and martial arts career if you do.
     
  8. Van Zandt

    Van Zandt Mr. High Kick

    While I have not experienced your problem with my own body, I have had numerous hip surgeries (including a total hip replacement) after I was injured in the military. With sensible training I was able to make a full return to training (including doing full splits) in six months or less of any surgery. So to answer your question: Yes, it is entirely possible.
     
  9. Simon

    Simon Administrator Admin Supporter MAP 2017 Koyo Award

    Possibly the daftest advice ever given on MAP. How does that help the OP?

    What.

    Set a goal, but don't make it realistic or practical. I do hope you are not a teacher.

    Goals are important and should be short medium and long term. It is important to be able to visualize yourself being the person you want to be or undertaking the task you desire. How can you say it does not have to be realistic?

    What is your motto - set low standards and fail to achieve.
     
    Last edited: Mar 11, 2011
  10. Van Zandt

    Van Zandt Mr. High Kick

    Goals should be specific, measurable, attainable, relevant and time-bound. Be SMART.
     
  11. Martial novice

    Martial novice Valued Member

    I want to improve my flexibility for my grappling. Often just someone stretching out my legs butterfly style is enough to make me tap. I therefore work static, as I don't train an art with high kicks (FMA and BJJ - was part of the reason I stopped Muay Thai). Obviously I've trawled VZ's flexi-epics, but they're very kick focused.

    My question - when stretching, I feel pain in my hips way before inner leg. Just wondering whether the OP, Bphan, had always had hip pain or if something like an accident started it? i.e. whether I should get it checked out.
     
  12. Roaster

    Roaster New Member

    Have there been any on-going complications? One thing I am wary of is getting the surgery done and then undoing all the good work through continued wear and tear on the joints.
     
  13. Atre

    Atre Valued Member

    We can translate out of the medic technical for you, but I assume your doctor has already done this? (Kudos to her/him for giving you the actual notes though).

    What do you need to understand that you don't?

    That X-ray is roughly saying that your right hip joint might have weak bone (slightly) and does have (only slightly!) some excess bone growth that will impede you. I would cautiously suggest that the osteophytes are the most significant finding, as they probably mean that bone surface has been grinding and are a sign of arthritis rather than a prelude/ contributing factor to it. I wouldn't worry about this too much, arthritis does not mean inactive or a continual descent into disability in that joint - but you do need to be very careful about what you do with your hip. This is NOT a condition you want to aggravate.

    They want to check the socket part of your ball&socket joint in more detail to see that there isn't weakness or abnormal growth that the Xray didn't see (as X-rays seeing into a socket surrounded by bone is not possible).
     
    Last edited: Mar 12, 2011
  14. 47MartialMan

    47MartialMan Valued Member

    I was speaking in tems from a beginner's view on how they set a goal based upon non-realstic or non practical. Nevertheless, it is a goal set by many beginners
     

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