At my bike fitting last year, I was told that my right leg is shorter than my left, so he added a 1/4-inch lift into my biking shoe to level out my hips on the ride. Now as my running mileage is increasing, I am noticing pain in either my left hamstring, behind the left knee or in my left hip during the run. What can this be and what should I do?

Hey,

The problem with the Internet is that although you can describe something really well, it isn't possible to make a diagnosis based on description alone. Patients call me all the time with questions just like yours, and I usually tell them that they need to be seen. Your issue could be caused by anything from a suboptimal fit on your bike, to a biomehcanical problem (i.e. leg length discrepancy) that can be quickly fixed, to an overuse injury of some type.

You say your bike fitter said you had a problem with leg length, but how did he/she know that? How was the measurement made? What was your "problem" that needed to be fixed? The reason I ask these questions is that I have seen a number of athletes, some of whom were very good, who have minor leg length discrepancies that have never needed "fixing".

I think the best advice is to go see a doc who has sports experience, or works in rehab. He or she will probably be able to get you straightened out pretty quickly. If you are interested, I have an article on my website that details a good strategy for communicating with your doc.

FWIW,
Phil

Philbert: The bike fitter used the System One Positioning...where he used measuring, bike position with camera angles and visual observation of my walk and stance to determine my length problem. I'll check out your website, thanks! If you know any sports docs in the Tampa Bay area...let me know!

Catwood: I'll also give the lift or insert a try...thanks!

Let me ask around and see if any of my fellow docs can recommend someone down your way. I'm at Georgetown currently, but someone might have a friend of a friend or something.

Re: "System One": John Cobb is a great bike fitter, and I have worked with one of the guys he trained who was VERY good. However, you generally want to make a measurement if you suspect a difference, not just watch someone walk or use cameras or anything like that. Just my two cents on that point :D

What were you doing that needed correcting? Were you rolling off to one side of the saddle/rocking to one side more? I'm just curious.

Phil

Beside the fact that I'm training for an IM....and my head needs adjusting..... :p I guess he saw that my hips were not alligned on the bike in the aero position....plus the leg length descrepency.

Should I seek a chiropractor, sports medicine doc or.....? Thanks again!!