Ischial bursitis

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yello

Guest
I've recently acquired a rather menacing looking swelling where the top of the leg meets my buttock, slightly forward of the sit bone and left side only. A bit of reading suggests that this is ischial (or ischioglutial) bursitis. It first appeared after I did a 300km ride a few weeks back and was re-flamed after a 200 yesterday. Not at all comfortable, I can assure you. A few possible causes exists.

On the 300 I rode a very long time on the drops - maybe 80km (I was against the wind and the terrain was pan flat), so this would have changed my body position for a long period of time... so it's a possible cause.

Also possible is something to do with my Assos bibshorts plus Brooks saddle combo. I do notice that the Assos bibs do sometimes seem to catch in the cut-away section of the Brooks, and pinch a little. I count this as an outside possibility since I don't experience the same thing with other bibs... but then I don't ride longer distances in other bibs either.

More likely though, imho, is that I tinkered with set-up a month or so back; fitting a longer steam and adjusting the saddle position. My gut feeling is that I've moved the saddle away from correctly supporting my sit bones and that I'm now irritating the bursa sac. I'm going to nudge it back around 5mm and see what happens. I'll let you know!
 
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yello

Guest
Did 80km today after nudging the saddle forward 5mm. I didn't honestly think it'd make much difference, but it has. I can find a few comfortable positions on the saddle now. The bursitis is slightly more inflamed. It had reduced to something like a hard knot this morning, it's now a little swollen but nowhere near as bad as after last Friday's ride. I've got 10 days before my 400, and I'm swapping bikes for rides until then, so fingers crossed all is fine.

I think my saddle is perfectly positioned now. It certainly feels to be supporting me correctly. But, tbh, I don't even think this problem was due to saddle position. I think it's just one of those cycling injuries that we get from time to time. Nothing that a wipe of anti-inflammatory gel can't sort out!
 
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