Andy McDowell battles neuromuscular disorder, deemed ‘hip replacement’.
Andie MacDowell is battling a painful neuromuscular disorder.
“I have piriformis syndrome, so it’s a muscle that grabs onto the sciatic nerve, and it was kicking my leg,” McDowell shared on “The Drew Barrymore Show.”
“I thought I was going to have a hip replacement – thank God my hip is fine,” she said.
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Andy McDowell was diagnosed with a painful neuromuscular disease called piriformis syndrome. (Dave Kotinsky/Getty Images for Hallmark Media)
Piriformis syndrome occurs when your piriformis muscle compresses your sciatic nerve and causes inflammation. It can cause pain or numbness in your buttock and the back of your leg. It can happen on one or both sides of your body Cleveland Clinic.
The 66-year-old actress added that she practices daily exercises to relieve any aches and pains.
“I got to work my little bottom and my hips. I got to work my bottom and my hips. I just do it every day…it doesn’t hurt anymore…it’s a miracle,” McDowell said.
“I have piriformis syndrome, so it’s that kind of muscle that’s pulling on the sciatic nerve, and it’s impinging on my leg.”
During her appearance, McDowell spoke of her health vulnerability after she started riding her indoor bike “like a crazy person” and thought she was “literally falling apart”.
McDowell said she thought she was “literally falling apart” during an appearance on “The Drew Barrymore Show.” (Kate Green/Getty Images)
“It wasn’t right for my body, and I ended up with a bad knee… a bad hip,” she explained.
“The good news is that my pieces are good,” McDowell said. “My knees are fine, except for old age.”
She continued, “I think as you get older… lift weights, work with a personal trainer (PT guy) to build your muscles.”
Andy McDowell’s daughter Margaret Cully leads the famous children’s acting show.
The “Groundhog Day” alum revealed she left Hollywood for a simpler life in South Carolina. (Kristy Sparrow/Getty Images)
The “Groundhog Day” alum revealed that she left Hollywood for a simpler life in South Carolina.
During the interview, McDowell touched on how she coped with her children growing up and leaving home.
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McDowell poses with one of her daughters, Margaret Qualley. (Emma McIntyre/Getty Images)
“Everything changes, it’s a big change.” she admits.. “You hear how many mothers are happy… they’re free… I never had that feeling, I still don’t have that feeling. I had to work hard at my freedom.”
The “St. Elmo’s Fire” actress shares three children with ex-husband Paul Cooley – daughters Margaret and Renee, along with son Justin. Both daughters followed in their mother’s acting footsteps.
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