The Doctor Says…
Yesterday afternoon I had an appointment with the sports doctor at the orthopedic.
But first, if you are new to my blog, here is some background info: about four months ago after I ran the Boilermaker, I started experiencing slight hip pain after my runs. It would be sore and hard to move around while stretching. I went to my general doctor and got an x-ray, but he said he didn’t see anything wrong and prescribed me with an anti-inflammatory. Last month, I started getting pain in my quad while running and sometimes walking. I wanted to get this checked out by a sports doctor.
When I got to the doctor’s office, I didn’t really think too much about what he was going to tell me. I sat down in the examining room and the nurse had me fill out a runner’s background information sheet: how many miles a week you run, your average pace, PR times, and future running goals. Interesting! The nurse told me the doctor loves treating runners, since he is one himself. He actually ran 8 marathons and a few triathlons. I have a feeling this guy knows his stuff.
Anyway, after checking out my hip and making me jump around on one leg, the doctor looked at my x-rays, which I had done back in August, when this problem first started. He said there might be a teeny tiny bump where my hip bone meets the socket, which could possibly be a tear in the labram cartilage inside my hip socket (the blue piece of cartilage on the diagram.)
(source)
He also said there could possibly be a fracture in my hip bone, but was pretty sure that wasn’t the case.
He also said to hope its just IT Band syndrome. Best case scenario. Next step: arthogram MRI, where they inject the joint with a fluid so it shows up in the image.
I had the MRI today (not a fun experience to say the least) to find out if it was in fact a labram tear, but I won’t find out the results until later today or on Monday, and I will keep you posted.
Oh, the doctor also said absolutely no running for three weeks.
Three weeks! At first I was extremely upset, but after a while I came to realize that this isn’t the end of the world. I will miss my half marathon, but that’s okay. I want to focus on getting better so I can run the other races I plan on running in 2011.
I emailed the race directors and they said it would be perfectly fine for me to drop down to the 8K (five mile) race. Which, I will walk if I have to. I still want to partake in the race, if it means I walk it! Which, I won’t mind, unless its raining or something.
In the meantime, I can still workout–lift weights, do yoga, walk on the treadmill, ride the stationary bike, and do the elliptical/arc trainer. I will definitely be doing these things in order to keep my fitness up.
I haven’t taken this long off from running since I started running in September of 2008. 2008!! The longest I’ve gone is probably five days. It’s going to be weird. But I will like not having to plan my schedule around runs, I won’t have to force myself onto the treadmill when I don’t feel like running, and I will get to do other types of exercise. Oh, and I don’t have to run in the cold. But I will miss it, I know. I will find myself jealous of people I see running outside when the sun is out.
But I need to get better!
Three weeks will fly by, right?
Question: have you ever been an injured runner that had to take time off? How did you handle it?
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15 Comments
Liz (Little Bitty Bakes)
Turn off your brain! I had to stop running twice during marathon training and the only thing that got me through it was to not think about the fact that I couldn’t run. Instead, think about what you CAN do. In the long run, you’ll be fine. 🙂
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David H.
Going through ITBS right now (or what I hope is the end of it), it’s interesting to read this. It sounds to me like the hip issue would lead to ITB, not the other way around. I hope the MRI will provide some answers to what’s going on. It’s awesome to see a doctor who runs – they understand you and will provide you options other than doing nothing.
Laura
Wishing you a quick and full recovery Jen!
abbi
You can still do other activities at least. I know it won’t be easy but I guess just continue to think that it’s either 3 weeks now or could be a bigger issue that won’t ever get better if you don’t take the rest.
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jilly
I had to stop running last winter after surgery on my leg. I wallowed and ate cookies. So um, yeah, DON’T do that. 🙂
Katie H
Keep us posted girl! It definitely will fly by and you can look at this as a way to get in all of the fun ways to workout that go by the wayside when running is center stage.
Katie H recently posted..Staying Healthy on the Road
Cynthia (It All Changes)
Having a doctor or PT who runs is a big help. I’m glad he knows his stuff.
I’m sorry you have to take time off…but your attitude is great. Taking the time off will mean more running time later.
Christina @ Food.Fun.Fabulous.
You can make it through. Wishing you the best of luck and I hope the MRI doesn’t show anything too serious!
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Melissa G
Jen, I am so sorry. I hope your doctor gives you good news. Keep busy and the 3 weeks will fly by.
If you want to go swimming to try it out, let me know. I have some free guest passes to the YMCA. (This goes for anyone that wants to start swimming. I can even teach you how to swim.) 🙂
To answer your question, I had a back injury in Sept 2009. After my very first 5k race, I woke up one morning and I could not walk. I had severe muscle spams in my hip, lower back and right leg. After 3 doctors, lots of pain killers and many tests, I was diagnosed with a degenerative disc (the very last lumbar disc.) It sounds worse that it really is. Naturally, your discs wear down with age anyways. Mine had worn down faster because I was running on pavement with bad sneakers. The way the disc was wearing down it effected the nerves in my lower back, hip and right leg, which is why I couldn’t walk. It took about 2 weeks before I could walk strait up again. The doctor (he was not a sports doctor) cautioned me not to run at all. I cried. I bought new sneakers and I hit the pavement a few months later. Yes, I am stubborn for not listening to him, but look at me know, I ran a marathon and I am fine!! I just have to listen to my body. When I feel a little pain in my back, I rest.
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