Rowing - Hamstring Pain and Numb Toes

Hi all!

I row for my university and have been told I have good technique on the water/ergometer (rowing machine).

In March last year I got an injury to my right hamstring, took some time out and rehabbed it back to full strength. The injury was in the proximal tendon strain (god knows how i did that), near it's point of attachment in the pelvis.
Recently, I've been having consistent problems with my right leg on the ergometer. About 8-10minutes in, I get a dull ache in my proximal hams/?distal glutes? and within 5 minutes numbness slowly creeps it's way down the posterior aspect of the thigh/leg and down to the entire foot resulting in a numb/tingly leg and by 15mins I can't feel any of my right leg at all but what I imagine my hamstring/distal glute is, is quite sore. It isn't always painful but it's the equivilant of falling asleep on your arm for 10 minutes and waking up with zero sensation in it at all which makes it impossible to push yourself during training... Once I get off the ergometer, take off my right shoe and go for a walk all returns to normal until/unless I go at it again

As the issue isn't a painful one, i'm sure it isn't sciatic irritation/piriformis syndrome... So it would point to cutting off the blood supply which at best seems unlikely? (I'm not a physio though!). This issue is pretty crippling to my training and any sort of response would be helpful.

Thanks in advance!

S

Hey S, the problem is most likely a neural irritation - and I would urge you to see an experienced physio to see exactly what interface is irritating the nerve. It may be a lumbar spine (lower back) issue, piriformis involvement, or scar tissue from your previous hamstring problem irritating the sciatic nerve, but an assessment would also rule out any other neurological conditions to be on the safe side. Its not likely there is any vascular problem (veins / arteries), as you would have pain, change in coloration of your foot, and it would be cold. Best of luck!