Hallmark star Andie MacDowell opened up about recent challenges she experienced with her health, and she leaned heavily into her sense of humor while doing so.
“The Way Home” star talked about how she felt she was “literally falling apart” during an interview and assured fans she is doing well now.
Andie MacDowell Had Shooting Leg Pain
During an appearance on the January 24 episode of “The Drew Barrymore Show,” MacDowell opened up about her experiences. She is now 66 years old, and she loves working out. However, her love of doing Peloton workouts left her experiencing issues with her hip and knees.
MacDowell started to worry she was “literally falling apart” and “was gonna have to get new pieces.”
Amid her struggles, MacDowell discovered one reason she was experiencing so much pain.
She explained, “I have piriformis syndrome, so it’s a muscle that kind of clamps down on my sciatic nerve, and it was shooting down my leg.”
According to the Cleveland Clinic, piriformis syndrome “causes pain or numbness in your butt, hip or upper leg.” The condition “occurs when the piriformis muscle presses on the sciatic nerve. The condition may be caused by injury, swelling, muscle spasms or scar tissue in the piriformis.”
The clinic’s website also indicates, “Most episodes go away in a few days or weeks with rest and simple treatments.”
Symptoms include tingling, numbness, aching, burning, and shooting pain. The Cleveland Clinic notes the symptoms typically resolve in a matter of days or weeks. However, “the condition tends to come back… Severe cases that aren’t treated properly can greatly reduce a person’s ability to function well.”
The Hallmark Star Worried She Faced a Hip Replacement
Before she received a diagnosis, MacDowell explained on “The Drew Barrymore Show,” “I thought I was going to have to have [a] hip replacement.” She clearly did not relish the idea of going through that.
Luckily, that did not need to happen. MacDowell shared, “Thank God, my hips are fine.”
Now that she is aware of the issue, MacDowell noted, she works with a personal trainer to ensure she feels well. She explained, “I have to work my tiny little bottom and my hips. I have to work the bottom and work my hip. I just do it every day.”
The condition is under control now, “The Way Home” star shared. It “doesn’t hurt anymore,” MacDowell said. She added, “It’s a miracle. It really is.”
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