• News
  • Life
  • TV & Film
  • Beauty
  • Style
  • Home
  • News
    • Celebrity
    • Entertainment
    • Politics
    • Royal Family
  • Life
    • Animals
    • Food & Drink
    • Women's Health
    • Mental Health
    • Sex & Relationships
    • Travel
    • Real Life
  • TV & Film
    • True Crime
    • Documentaries
    • Netflix
    • BBC
    • ITV
    • Tyla Recommends
  • Beauty
    • Hair
    • Make-up
    • Skincare
  • Style
    • Home
    • Fashion
    • Shopping
  • Advertise
  • Terms
  • Privacy & Cookies
  • LADbible Group
  • LADbible
  • UNILAD
  • SPORTbible
  • GAMINGbible
  • UNILAD Tech
  • FOODbible
  • License Our Content
  • About Us & Contact
  • Jobs
  • Latest
  • Topics A-Z
  • Authors
Facebook
Instagram
X
Threads
TikTok
Submit Your Content
Andie MacDowell reveals heartbreaking Piriformis syndrome diagnosis as she opens up about struggles

Home> Entertainment> Celebrity

Published 17:16 24 Jan 2025 GMT

Andie MacDowell reveals heartbreaking Piriformis syndrome diagnosis as she opens up about struggles

The Four Weddings and a Funeral actress described one form of managing the pain as 'a miracle'

Rhianna Benson

Rhianna Benson

In a celebrity rarity, Andie MacDowell has lifted the lid on a health battle she's been enduring behind the scenes.

Appearing on The Drew Barrymore Show this week, the 66-year-old actress revealed she'd recently been diagnosed with Piriformis syndrome, and recalling the symptoms that initially prompted her to get checked out.

For those unfamiliar with the Hollywood veteran, MacDowell shot to fame in the 90s following a short-lived modelling career, appearing in the likes of Green Card, The Object of Beauty, Groundhog Day and most famously the rom-com Four Weddings and a Funeral.

Throughout the Noughties, her career somewhat died down, as she attempted to balance a cinematic career with three young children - son Justin Qualley, now 39, and daughters Rainey, 35, and The Substance star Margaret Qualley, 30.

Advert

In recent years, however, MacDowell has made somewhat of a comeback, and - as well as starring in Along For the Ride and Good Girl Jane - her 2021 role alongside daughter Margaret in Netflix mini-series Maid saw her nominated for a Golden Globe.

As we say, despite her recent professional successes, life of late hasn't been easy for the mother-of-three.

And sadly, in recent months, she's been experience severe pain in her legs while working out.

The actress was diagnosed with Piriformis syndrome (Dave Kotinsky/Getty Images for Hallmark Media)
The actress was diagnosed with Piriformis syndrome (Dave Kotinsky/Getty Images for Hallmark Media)

Advert

Chatting to fellow movie star Drew Barrymore, MacDowell this week recounted suffering with a 'shooting' pain 'down my leg', which was only relieved when she worked out.

"I thought I was gonna have to have a hip replacement," she confessed of the pain.

The on-screen favourite found that riding her indoor bike 'like a crazy person' was exacerbating her symptoms.

"It's not appropriate for my body, and I ended up with bad knees and a bad hip," she explained.

Advert

"I thought I was literally falling apart."

Eventually, MacDowell received her diagnosis - Piriformis syndrome.

The movie star opened up on her diagnosis (The Drew Barrymore Show)
The movie star opened up on her diagnosis (The Drew Barrymore Show)

"So, it's a muscle that kind of clamps down on my sciatic nerve," she told the presenter.

Advert

The condition is believed to result from compression on this particular nerve - which also happens to be the largest and most bulky in the body, running from the lower back down to the feet.

It is the Piriformis muscle that causes this compression, meaning the condition as a whole is actually a very specific case of deep gluteal syndrome.

Thankfully, MacDowell managed to find some form of exercise that assisted with the pain, meaning she was able to avoid needing surgery.

"I have to work my tiny little bottom and my hips," she explained. "I have to work the bottom and work my hip. I just do it every day."

Advert

The actress added that the condition 'doesn’t hurt anymore', describing her relief as 'a miracle'.

Featured Image Credit: Gisela Schober/Getty Images

Topics: Celebrity, US News, Health

Rhianna Benson
Rhianna Benson

Rhianna is an Entertainment Journalist at LADbible Group, working across LADbible, UNILAD and Tyla. She has a Masters in News Journalism from the University of Salford and a Masters in Ancient History from the University of Edinburgh. She previously worked as a Celebrity Reporter for OK! and New Magazines, and as a TV Writer for Reach PLC.

X

@rhiannaBjourno

Advert

Advert

Advert

Choose your content:

a day ago
  • Chip Somodevilla/Getty ImagesChip Somodevilla/Getty Images
    a day ago

    Kim Kardashian criticises Donald Trump's ICE raids in public speech

    The reality TV star addressed the 200,000 people who have been deported from the United States since Trump returned to the White House

    Entertainment
  • instagram/@chariah/@mayabenberryinstagram/@chariah/@mayabenberry
    a day ago

    Travis Kelce's ex Maya Benberry gave Taylor Swift surprising relationship warning

    The Chasing Travis alumna commented after the celebs went public with their relationship in 2023

    Entertainment
  • Instagram/@selenagomezInstagram/@selenagomez
    a day ago

    Selena Gomez praised by fans over one major detail from her bachelorette party

    The star is set to wed Benny Blacno after getting engaged last December

    Entertainment
  • ITVITV
    a day ago

    Rylan Clark responds to backlash over controversial immigration comments on This Morning

    The TV star has doubled down on his immigration views after initially sharing them on This Morning on Wednesday (27th August)

    Entertainment
  • Bruce Willis' wife Emma reveals 'alarming' dementia symptoms he had before diagnosis
  • Bruce Willis’ wife Emma makes sad admission about seeing ‘moments’ of his personality amid dementia diagnosis
  • Grimes reveals autism diagnosis as she makes emotional admission about symptoms
  • Florence Pugh told she has to freeze her eggs at 27 as she opens up on ‘bizarre’ diagnosis