Andie Macdowell reveals piriformis syndrome diagnosis

Andie Macdowell opens up about her health.

During a performance at The Drew Barrymore Show Thursday, January 23, on Four weddings and a funeral Star, 66, revealed she had been diagnosed with Piriformis syndrome.

“I have Piriformis syndrome, so it’s a muscle that kind of squeezes down on my sciatic nerve and it shoots down the leg,” MacDowell told Barrymore, 49.

“I thought I was going to have a hip replacement, thank God my hips are fine,” added the actress.

Insisting that she is working on improving her health, MacDowell shared: “I have to work on my tiny little bottom and my hips. I have to work the bottom and work my hip. I just do it every day,” adding that it “doesn’t hurt anymore,” calling it “a miracle.” ”

According to National Institutes of Health (NIH), piriformis syndrome “is a rare neuromuscular condition that occurs when the piriformis muscles in the buttocks press on the sciatic nerve.”

“The condition is primarily associated with sciatica; however, other symptoms may include soreness, aching, tingling and/or numbness in the buttocks and pain when sitting for a long period of time, climbing stairs, walking or running,” reads a description. “Piriformis syndrome is caused by injury, irritation, or overuse of the piriformis muscle, which can cause the muscles to swell or tighten.”

Over the years, MacDowell has become an advocate for aging in Hollywood by leaning into her years with wisdom and embracing her silver hair, which she stopped dyeing during Covid.

“I think as you get older, lift weights, work with a (personal trainer) PT person to build your muscles,” MacDowell continues as she discusses aging with Barrymore, whom she co-starred in 1994 Bad girls with.

MacDowell explained that she had been riding her indoor bike “like a crazy person,” per E! NewsAdding, “It’s not appropriate for my body and I ended up with bad knees and a bad hip … I thought I was literally falling apart.”

Elsewhere below her The Drew Barrymore Show Interview, MacDowell also talked about loving the simple life in South Carolina now that her children have left home.

The actress shares daughters Margaret Qualley, 30, and Rainey Qualley, 35—both of whom have followed in her acting footsteps—and son Justin Qualley, 39, with her ex-husband, Paul Qualley, 66.

“I’m happier now than I’ve been in a long time,” MacDowell shared on the show.

“I moved to South Carolina and I take good care of myself. It took me forever,” she continued. “When my children were back, I felt this huge void in my life because they were so important to me.”

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MacDowell credited her daughter Margaret for giving her the boost she needed to take the next step in her life.

“Margaret really told me I should be having the time of my life, but I wasn’t,” The way home Star said. “But now I am. I’m having the time of my life now. It’s really good. “