Andie MacDowell reveals heartbreaking Piriformis syndrome diagnosis as she opens up about struggles
Rhianna Benson
Featured Image Credit: Gisela Schober/Getty Images
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.
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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.
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.
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.
"I thought I was literally falling apart."
Eventually, MacDowell received her diagnosis - Piriformis syndrome.
"So, it's a muscle that kind of clamps down on my sciatic nerve," she told the presenter.
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."
The actress added that the condition 'doesn’t hurt anymore', describing her relief as 'a miracle'.