Hip pain

[Dusan]

Hi Rip. I am 28 yo, 6”3', about 240 lbs. I started with Stronglifts in July 2011, then moved on SS in November. I gained altogether about 35 lbs in 5 months including 2 months of GOMAD. I did a bit of general-bodybuilding-fucking-about-stuff in my early twenties.

Now my hip issue. As my squat kept on climbing by the time I managed to squat more then my BW for 3x5 I noticed a pain in my right hip. I could feel pain when I slept on the right side or raising up from a car seat. I didn't pay much attention to it because I thought it was “part of the deal”. Recently the pain got more acute and it started messing with my form. I noticed that my right side would be a bit lower and last Friday – after the reset 273 lbs – it was so bad that I had to stop because I was all crooked. I had a fella checked if the barbell sits in the middle of the upper back and he said it was spot on.

I suspect that this hip pain could be caused by my right shoulder dragging down the barbell. It is less flexible and I use fairy narrow grip. I widened my grip during last workout but it was already too late – I couldn't finish all 3 sets. Also when I squat my knees tend to cave in on the way up – no matter how much I concentrate on that. Last few workouts I couldn't ever push them properly apart because it just caused more pain.

The pain starts in the hip (outer thigh) and goes toward the knee for about 5 – 7 inches. I feel it during squatting and when I climb the stairs and sometimes when I sit it starts shooting down my leg. I am seeing my GP on Monday although I am pretty sceptical about it. I decided to have a week off the gym and see how the pain is. BTW I tried front squats and it wasn't that bad – could be because of light weight.

I appreciate your time reading this and would like to hear if you or anybody on this board have any experience with this issue.

My stats:
SQ 304 x 5
B 194 x 5
DL 361 x 5

Thanks,

Dusan

PS: I read SS 2nd edition and ATM I am reading 3rd edition.

[Mark Rippetoe]

Sounds like trochanteric bursitis. Get an IT band release. Your GP will have no idea what this is.