I stumped the doc! Yay?

[SAHDad]

So, back in early October, I managed to do something to one of my ankles. I've been RICEing it, and I have cut my milage back to what is barely required to maintain the streak, and cut my speed back as well*. So I finally managed to see the doc earlier this week.

Apparently, the point tenderness indicates either a small stress fracture or a stress reaction (which could turn into a stress fracture). But, every other symptom indicates soft tissue damage, and there is nothing on the film. So, I got a Rx for something a bit stronger than "vitamin I", and I have an appointment for physical therapy evaluation next week.

Not sure what it is yet, but I am glad I hadn't sunk any money into spring races yet, since I may not be able to run them.

* Yes, yes. The smart thing to do would have been to end the streak. But a slow run does not hurt any more (or any less) than sitting around does, and sometimes it feels much better for having loosened up.

 

[Rupert B Puppenstein]

That is a bummer!! Sending healing thoughts your way!!

 

[lorasmom]

I had some ankle troubles after my second half, and spent a bit of time with google, dr's, and pt's - where on your ankle is the pain?

 

[cewait]

So, back in early October, I managed to do something to one of my ankles. I've been RICEing it, and I have cut my milage back to what is barely required to maintain the streak, and cut my speed back as well*. So I finally managed to see the doc earlier this week.

Apparently, the point tenderness indicates either a small stress fracture or a stress reaction (which could turn into a stress fracture). But, every other symptom indicates soft tissue damage, and there is nothing on the film. So, I got a Rx for something a bit stronger than "vitamin I", and I have an appointment for physical therapy evaluation next week.

Not sure what it is yet, but I am glad I hadn't sunk any money into spring races yet, since I may not be able to run them.

* Yes, yes. The smart thing to do would have been to end the streak. But a slow run does not hurt any more (or any less) than sitting around does, and sometimes it feels much better for having loosened up.

Feel like a high ankle sprain? hurt then get better once warm? Or even more difficult to understand, on some runs ok until warm then pain followed by a better feeling?

You have access to an old tuning fork? Doesn't matter what note, if you can borrow one for 5 minutes you can confirm SF... Rap the fork so it rings a note and while ringing, place the handle firmly on the lowest boney area of your tibia. If it hurts should probably ask for a bone scan. Otherwise, it could well be soft tissue.

Good luck.

 

[SAHDad]

Well, the saga continues. Had the PT evaluation today - looks more and more like soft tissue damage, a combination of peroneal tendonitis and some sort of inflammation (most likely) of the exterior digitorum brevis. (Basically, the tendons on the side/back of the foot, and the ones on the top of the toes, respectively).

Medication, RICE, and some exercises, pls therapy a couple times a week.

And oh yeah - they didn't even try to tell me to stop running.

(I am going to limit myself to no more than 2 miles per day, and an average speed of no faster than 6.2 or so, with no final sprint, speedwork, hills, etc.)

 

[cewait]

Well, the saga continues. Had the PT evaluation today - looks more and more like soft tissue damage, a combination of peroneal tendonitis and some sort of inflammation (most likely) of the exterior digitorum brevis. (Basically, the tendons on the side/back of the foot, and the ones on the top of the toes, respectively).

Medication, RICE, and some exercises, pls therapy a couple times a week.

And oh yeah - they didn't even try to tell me to stop running.

(I am going to limit myself to no more than 2 miles per day, and an average speed of no faster than 6.2 or so, with no final sprint, speedwork, hills, etc.)

Cool, I thought about you all weekend

 

[bunnyfoo]

I feel for ya! I had ankle problems earlier this year. It was a bit of a slow recovery for me - I also had to slow down and cut back the mileage. I'm glad you're still allowed to run Lots of for a speedy recovery!!

 

[SAHDad]

I feel for ya! I had ankle problems earlier this year. It was a bit of a slow recovery for me - I also had to slow down and cut back the mileage. I'm glad you're still allowed to run Lots of for a speedy recovery!!

As I said, I probably shouldn't be running. Still won't stop me though.

 

[bunnyfoo]

As I said, I probably shouldn't be running. Still won't stop me though.

I hear ya! What kind of exercises did your PT give you for your ankle? I did/do a lot of balancing work, one legged deadlifting, moving a towel around with my foot...

 

[SAHDad]

I hear ya! What kind of exercises did your PT give you for your ankle? I did/do a lot of balancing work, one legged deadlifting, moving a towel around with my foot...

Let's see -

gastroc stretch (short for gastrocnemius, I imagine) - lean into wall, back leg kept straight, blah blah blah

rise on balls of feet

picking up stuff with my toes (he said I don't do this - he doesn't know about my habit of actually using my feet to pick stuff up off the floor instead of bending over!)

double leg toe curcling - towel scrunches

resisted eversion - wrap band around one foot, anchor tube abound other foot, turn injured foot out.

I'll probably have a couple of things added at my first actual session - today was evaluation.

 

[bunnyfoo]

Let's see -

gastroc stretch (short for gastrocnemius, I imagine) - lean into wall, back leg kept straight, blah blah blah

rise on balls of feet

picking up stuff with my toes (he said I don't do this - he doesn't know about my habit of actually using my feet to pick stuff up off the floor instead of bending over!)

double leg toe curcling - towel scrunches

resisted eversion - wrap band around one foot, anchor tube abound other foot, turn injured foot out.

I'll probably have a couple of things added at my first actual session - today was evaluation.

Oh I do the one with the band and turning your ankle out too! I also use the band for glute exercises which I know are good for me but don't really like doing My physio also suggested that I practice balancing on one leg (and alternating) and that would be good for the ankles as well. So I try doing that when I'm cooking or brushing my teeth!

How are your ankles doing?

 

[fashionista311]

Glad to hear it's not a stress fracture!

A smart, running specialized PT won't tell you to stop running completely unless it really is medically necessary. Not all running injuries automatically mean you have to stop running. Alot of doctors and even PTs don't really understand running injuries and will tell you to stop and rest, for lack of a better answer. And then you stop, rest, ice, etc...and then a few weeks later the injury returns, and nothing was ever really solved. But good luck telling a MD he's not the end all be all know it all

Good luck! It sounds like you are in good hands

 

[lorasmom]

That's exactly what I had, and exactly the same exercises I had to do. 3 weeks at the PT and all was cleared up

 

[SAHDad]

Thanks for the kind words everyone.

Ankle is doing somewhat better - hard to judge on a day to day basis, but I do know that it is better than it was back in the middle of October. The stronger NSAID is definitely an improvement over the "Vitamin I".

I'm doing the exercises, icing, etc - and, for the last 2 days, I bumped the mileage up to 2.5, and sped up a little. It's still more than 90 seconds/mile from my cruising pace*, but it feels easier than it did a couple of weeks ago.

* In fact, it's far enough off that, yesterday, I hit the 2.1 mile mark in almost exactly the same time as my most recent 5k race.

 

[AmyBeth68]

I read your post and immediately thought "tendonitis" before reading further. I've been down that road and it totally stinks because it's a really tenacious injury, but one that makes you feel like you can keep going. I battled through it and did the marathon back in 2007 but it was not pretty at all. I did end up taking a solid month off and sure enough that solved the problem. I wish you the best of luck as i fully understand the frustration level.

 

[SAHDad]

Just an update (in case anyone was wondering) - no more PT. Last day was Wed this week. While I am not anywhere near 100%, I can manage 3-4 miles without a problem, just not as fast as I was back in August. Still doing the exercises, and will take the rest of this month easy, and then begin a slow buildup for completion (not PRs) of spring races.

 

[RunRookie]

Congratulations!!! Glad to hear that things are improving and that 2012 will be the year you can get back into the sport.

 

[jmasgat]

Rich Glad you're making good progress. I understand how it feels to have to rebuild. It's a physical and mental battle. Just take it one day at a time and I bet you'll get back to PR levels.

Maura