Category Archives: Running Injuries

May 18, 2013 · 1:20 PM

Game Changer

The alternative title for this post is: If you don’t like one doctor, shop around!

I’ve been pretty vocal lately about my frustration re: my scoliosis and the fact that I believe it causes most of my running injuries. The right side of my lower back is weaker as a result of it, and because of the curve, there is also pulling of the muscles to one side, which causes a chain reaction all the way down my right side. Every single running injury I’ve had has been on my right leg – not a coincidence.

After my marathon in March and the incredibly horrible physical state I found myself in afterwards, I decided I finally wanted to see if there was anything that could be done about my scoliosis. At the very least, I should be able to strengthen the right side of my back so that the muscles don’t pull so much to the left, right?

So my first stop was an orthopedic spine specialist. I won’t get into details, but let’s say I was extremely disappointed. He’s rated one of the top docs in Phoenix, yet I felt like I was rushed in and out, told I needed unnecessary and very costly tests, and told that my only option was surgery, which I was not even a candidate for. I left unsatisfied and refused to get tests I don’t need. Needless to say I won’t be going back.

I was later telling my stretch therapist about my experience and she said that she had a friend who had a great experience with a chiropractor who does various things to actually correct the spine – called spinal remodeling – and not just adjust it. So I paid a visit to this chiropractor, who conveniently happens to be a mile from my house, and I am suddenly finding myself hopeful and optimistic about my scoliosis and future running career.

The way he explained it makes perfect sense. We basically need to determine how the muscles/ligaments/tendons (do you even have all of these in your back?) in my back are wrapped around my spine and then pull them in the opposite directions to “unravel” the twisting and pulling. We start with a baseline x-ray and then determine if it’s working through subsequent x-rays. The traction machines/equipment looks a little scary and weird, but if it works I will try anything. It’s not a quick fix – we’re looking at a correction of 2-4 degrees per year (my scoliosis is currently at 28.3 degrees), but I’m willing to be patient. It sure beats waiting and watching as it gets worse and then having surgery when I’m 60 because it finally reached 43 degrees.

So the moral of my story is: if you don’t like a doctor or what he/she tells you, get a second opinion. Seek alternate medicine, if needed, and believe that there are options when it comes to your health and body.

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Filed under Chiropractic, Feel Good Running, Running Injuries

May 4, 2013 · 6:56 AM

A Comeback with Multiple Injuries

When I saw my doctor a few weeks ago for the results of my MRI, he told me I had the paroneal tendonitis with a split tear, but he said nothing about any other injuries. So when I was still having pain throughout my entire foot, and particularly my arch, I was a little confused. When I went in to see him the next week, I told him that my arch was still really sore, which didn’t make sense. And he said very casually, “Oh yeah, you have plantar fasciitis, too. It showed up on your MRI. Don’t worry, we’ll take care of that.” I laughed because I honestly don’t know if he was going to tell me had I not brought it up. If you know Dr. Ball (and I know some of you do), this is very typical – he is very nonchalant about things. He said is it pretty minor, very treatable, and I will still be able to run while treating it. And my thought is, if this is a minor case of PF, I cannot imagine what a bad case of PF feels like.

So I’ve been going to Dr. Ball for weekly shock wave and ART treatments on my paroneal tendon, plantar fascia, and hip muscle (not sure exactly which one, but the same one that caused pain 8 months ago – The pain is coming back). Yet despite having three injuries, this past week he gave me the green light to start running again. 2 min run, 1 min walk x 5 for a total of 10 minutes of running. Since that went well yesterday, I can try it again and then slowly start ramping up as long as the pain does not get worse. I have an ankle brace that I’ll have to wear for a long time (maybe as long as a year or more), but if I can keep running, the brace is the least of my worries.

So here’s to hoping I can successfully start running again! Keep your fingers crossed that all three of the injuries continue to get better!

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Filed under Running Injuries

April 17, 2013 · 1:22 PM

I Finally Have a Definitive Diganosis!

It’s been over 6 weeks now since the Phoenix Marathon. I really expected to be able to take 3-4 weeks off to let my tendonitis heal, and then start running again. Besides the 3-mile birthday run, I haven’t run at all – yet my foot is actually getting worse, not better. I saw Dr. Ball a few times for shockwave therapy and ART and the tendonitis on the outside of my foot was starting to feel better, and then all of a sudden, the rest of my foot started to hurt. When I got out of bed in the mornings, I could hardly limp – my entire foot (arch, heal, outside, etc.) was in pain. So two weeks ago when I went to see Dr. Ball, he started pressing on my navicular bone and suddenly I was screaming in pain. Not good. The suspect was a navicular stress fracture, which if bad enough, might require surgery. So, off to get x-rays and an MRI I went.

navicular

Navicular bones in white

And of course, my insurance company denied the MRI request the first time around, so I had to sit by and wait almost 2 weeks while it was sorted out and FINALLY approved. Let me tell you, those two weeks were extremely frustrating and agitating. I had convinced myself that I would be on crutches for at least 8 weeks while I made myself and family miserable.

Aside from the obvious question of diagnosis, the other big question looming was “how long will recovery take?” I’m a planner and a total Type-A. I had my year planned out in races – would I still be able to run ANY of them? Waiting for a diagnosis, prognosis, and time-line was a serious test of my patience!     

So I had the MRI on Saturday and just got the good new this morning: there is no stress fracture! In fact, my navicular bone looks totally normal. We suspect the reason it was hurting might be because I had altered my gait and was walking funny to compensate for the peroneal pain. So, the official diagnosis is still peroneal tendonitis, but the MRI also showed that I have a split tear. This basically means that there is a hole in the tendon – a split, if you will. So the tendon is intact, there is just a small tear in the middle of it. I’m told it’s nothing to worry about and the only negative that comes with it is pain. I can still run on it as long as it doesn’t hurt. And the way we make it not hurt is by wearing an ankle brace. Right now I have my foot taped while the brace is being ordered, but I hope to have it by next week and hopefully running shortly after that.

Since I will have taken almost 8 weeks off at that point, I will basically be starting over. Baby steps…It is going to be hard and frustrating, I know, to come back slowly, but I am beyond excited that I will be able to do any running at all so soon. After convincing myself of 2 months on crutches, this news makes me very happy. Who knows – maybe I’ll be back up and fully training in time to be ready for the California International Marathon in December – a race I’ve had my eye on. I’ve just got to make sure I don’t get ahead of myself - I’ve got to take it one day at a time for a while. But at least my family, who has put up with a lot from me, can finally have their wife/mom back.

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Filed under Running Injuries

April 7, 2013 · 1:10 PM

Truer Words Have Never Been Spoken

“It’s a waste of time feeling sorry for yourself because it doesn’t change anything or help anything. You just have to keep on keeping on.” – Roger Ebert

Last week was a rocky one for me. I started off the week feeling awesome – determined to make the best of my injury by getting strong, lean, and really improving my strength so that I could come back a better, stronger runner. And then after a few days of strength training, my foot was feeling worse. After a trip to the dr., I was suddenly feeling totally deflated again (more on that later this week). I totally went off the hinges and was in a deep, dark place once again.

And then, the day after Roger Ebert passed away, they were paying tribute to him on the Today Show. I typically only watch 10-15 minutes of the Today Show in the morning and it’s only on in the background as I’m getting dressed. On this particular day, I happened to be watching when they read the quote above from Roger Ebert.  I felt as if Savannah Guthrie was talking to me.

And just like that, in a matter of seconds, my entire attitude shifted. I have a foot injury – SO WHAT? Yes, it sucks that I can’t run right now, but if this is the biggest problem in my life right now, I have no right to feel sorry for myself. After all, Roger was right – it doesn’t change anything or help anything. Feeling sorry for myself only makes me a miserable person to be around and leads to my own self-destruction. And that’s not good for anybody.

So if you are suffering from an injury or otherwise have to take time off from running, remind yourself of Roger’s words. Remember what you have in life to be grateful for and focus on the positive. In this case, I am going to do my hardest to lead by example…

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Filed under Positive Attitude, Running Injuries

March 23, 2013 · 8:47 AM

Addressing the Weaknesses

Nearly every runner has weaknesses, especially if they don’t cross-train or spend a significant amount of time doing strength exercises. The key is knowing what those weaknesses are and incorporating a strength routine into one’s training to prevent injuries and become a stronger, faster runner.

Because of my scoliosis, my whole body is imbalanced. I’ve always known this, but I’ve always chosen to ignore either it in hopes that it wouldn’t cause me any problems, or because I wasn’t’ sure exactly how to correct the imbalances. Well, shortly after my marathon a few weeks ago there was some talk among Twitter friends about a guy in Tempe who works with athletes to do just this. (Seriously, if it weren’t for Twitter, I wouldn’t know about half the things in my life that I currently use, wear, see, and obsess over.) Kyle at Triplex Training is an athletic trainer, certified triathlon coach, and a certified strength and conditioning specialist – perfect for the job. He put me through a series of exercises and it became quite apparent that the entire right side of my body is significantly weaker than the left. Not a huge shocker. But then he gave me some exercises to help fix those weaknesses. I’ll do them for a few weeks, then go back to get reassessed and get some more exercises to add to the routine. It won’t be a quick fix. This is a significant issue that could take a year or longer to correct, but I’m hopeful that it will work and that I will see big improvements in my running.

Speaking of running…my birthday was on Wednesday and it seemed like a good day to go for a short run. My foot felt pretty good and I had the attitude of “it’s by birthday, I’m going to do whatever I want.” And what I wanted more than any present in the world was to go for a run. I decided 3.4 miles would be the perfect way to ring in my 34th year. And guys – it was the most glorious 3.4 miles I’ve ever run! My foot felt good the whole time, the weather was perfect, and my head was finally in a good spot. And then…..I woke up the next day and my foot felt like it did the day after the marathon, and it still hurts pretty significantly right now. So while that 3.4 mile run probably (okay, definitely) wasn’t the brightest idea, I think it was a blessing in disguise. It woke me up to the reality that this is something that is going to take a long time to heal. I’m not going to be able to take a few weeks off and jump back into training. I probably won’t even be ready to start training in May for a September marathon. And knowing that ahead of time and accepting that fact is good for me. I’d rather know that ahead of time and mentally settle into a non-running routine than have my hopes crushed come May when I’m still limping around. I need to let it heal properly if I’m going to come back to kick some serious ass. And if it happens to heal faster than that, then I will be pleasantly surprised.

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Filed under Cross Training, Recovery, Running Injuries, Strength Training