Need encouragement/support

[disneymom1980]

After several days of foot pain, today I saw the ortho. Luckily, there is no stress fracture, but I do have severe tendonitis in my left foot. They gave me a cortisone shot and basically told me to stay off of it as much as possible for at least two weeks (possibly up to 4). Running has become my stress relief and my way of feeling better about myself because it's something I felt like I'd never be able to do. I was up to over 8 miles on my long runs!

Can anyone recommend books that show good stretching exercises? I'd also be interested in similar stories with happy endings.

 

[tiggersam00]

I had a similar experience... well sort of. In December 2007 I took DH to WDW for the first time, he was hesitant that he would not enjoy it (silly man) and said it was the only time he would ever go, so I was determined to make it a perfect trip... The first night my left foot started hurting... I kept walking thru MK, and finally it hurt so much iwas limping around and bong carried by DH... Never having tendinitis before I had no idea what it was, but being a dancer I am used to strange aches and pains so I ignored it... Log story short, ignoring it lead to a stress fracture and a lovely set of crutches and a boot on my foot for 6 weeks... Ps DH had such a fun trip despite my limping that he was hooked, so my evil plan worked lol!

Since then I have started running and my tendinitis flares up from time to time... I now recognize the warning signs and stop running for a day or so when it acts up. I have also found my ankle brace to be a big help when I know I am going for a long run or a full day of walking around. Tendinitis is very manageable but the first flare up is usually the worst, so the worst is over make sure you rest your foot for a while and even after you have the all clear from your doctor take it easy at first. You will be back to running in no time

 

[tiggersam00]

As far as stretches I found my bogu ball helps a lot!

 

[tiggersam00]

And a theraband too, look in YouTube for some great stretch demos, it's much easier to see it done then read about it in a book IMO

 

[Rose&Mike]

I had really bad tendonitis (in multiple spots on the same foot) as well as a fat pad injury a couple of years ago. I went the physical therapy route. The good news, is that it can and will get better. But it does take time.

Do you have access to a pool? Pool running is hard! And a great way to stay fit while having to take care of your foot. I could not run for about 8 weeks (only bike or pool) in the fall of 2011 and still managed to run the Princess half in February of 2012 with a respectable time.

I highly recommend physical therapy so you can learn some stretching and strength techniques. A physical therapist can also talk to you about shoes and whether you need custom inserts to help with any of the issues.

Good luck and hang in there!

 

[disneymom1980]

I am seeing the physical therapist on Thursday, but I think the plan is mostly to show me exercises that I can do at home. I don't have access to a pool right now, but I'm working on it .

 

[disneymom1980]

As far as stretches I found my bogu ball helps a lot!

I've never heard of that. I'll have to check it out!

 

[tiggersam00]

Bosu ball... Sorry!!

http://www.amazon.com/Bosu-10850-2-BOSU-Balance-Trainer/dp/B00012PDMW

 

[disneymom1980]

Bosu ball... Sorry!! http://www.amazon.com/Bosu-10850-2-BOSU-Balance-Trainer/dp/B00012PDMW

Lol! That makes more sense. I have used a Bosu ball before.

 

[tiggersam00]

Lol! That makes more sense. I have used a Bosu ball before.

Haha sorry, my brain is not with it this month lol! I have found the bosu ball really helps with strengthening the foot muscles

 

[ohMom]

I had bad tendonitis in my foot several years ago from running...it was misdiagnosed as a stress fx so I wore a fracture walker for a few weeks. then had an MRI when it wasn't much better and found out tendonitis. PT helped me too, the modalities they had, some kind of heat machine, really helped. Also, going on Celebrex helped too.

 

[supergoofy]

Sorry to hear this I am not familiar with what you can and cannot do besides not running.

I have to ask if you can stand on your foot for long durations? If so could you switch to the elliptical? Never done it but have seen it done and it looks like you are standing in place while running.


I would second the therapist and go for a couple trips to see how to do the exercises before you go home and do it. Then I would do them at home and then return to therapist after several months to be revaluated.

 

[disneymom1980]

I had bad tendonitis in my foot several years ago from running...it was misdiagnosed as a stress fx so I wore a fracture walker for a few weeks. then had an MRI when it wasn't much better and found out tendonitis. PT helped me too, the modalities they had, some kind of heat machine, really helped. Also, going on Celebrex helped too.

They did have me on an anti inflammatory, but honestly I don't think it has been doing much. They did do an xray to check for a stress fracture, but they said there wasn't one. All they did for me at PT was show me a few stretches and told me to ice it several times a day.

Sorry to hear this I am not familiar with what you can and cannot do besides not running.

I have to ask if you can stand on your foot for long durations? If so could you switch to the elliptical? Never done it but have seen it done and it looks like you are standing in place while running.


I would second the therapist and go for a couple trips to see how to do the exercises before you go home and do it. Then I would do them at home and then return to therapist after several months to be revaluated.

They did suggest trying the elliptical, but I don't have a gym membership and only have a treadmill at home. I did go to PT, but they never even suggested coming back for future appointments. They just showed me stretches to do at home.

I think a lot of the problem had to do with the fact that my muscles were very tight. I'm going to have to make absolutely sure that I'm working hard at stretching, and I'm going to order a special yoga for runners dvd.

I go back to the doctor for my follow up on Tuesday, and I'm pretty sure she'll release me at that time. I'm going to try a mile tomorrow and see how it goes so that I can report to her.