Today, I was reminded why I hate going to the doctor’s. I arrived a little before my appointment time, filled out the monumental amount of paperwork required, then sat around in a crowded waiting room for almost an hour-an-a-half waiting to finally be called. What the fuck was the point of making an appointment?
First out is the x-ray tech. He takes me back and gets 6 x-rays of my knees. (Keep in mind this is before I’ve even seen a nurse or doctor or anything. Just, boom, let’s get some x-rays, that will be fun…)
After that, I get dropped off in an exam room where I get to wait some more for the nurse to finally come in and ask me all the questions and poke around on my knee. She actually seems to do a decent job, but it didn’t really matter; when the doctor came in, he didn’t consult her at all. Instead, he just asked me an abbreviated list of the same questions, glanced at the x-rays (a very quick glance, nothing more) and then had me walk down the hall barefoot. “IT Band,” he says. No shit. I knew that.
But there was a lot that I didn’t know. Like, Why does it still hurt even though I took a week off? What caused it? Was it the Nike Frees? When can I run again? What should I be doing to fix it? I managed to ask a few of these before he hurried off and he told me that it looked like the stretches and icing I’d been doing had helped and I was ready to ease back into running again. Hallelujah! He then gave me this local anti-inflammatory cream and recommended an MRI to see if there’s fluid in the knee that they could drain (apparently this could speed up recovery somehow, I didn’t get a full explanation.) I have to wait to see if my insurance approves the MRI before I schedule it.
Then I paid $665 for the pleasure of it all. My insurance is going to cover most of it (hopefully) but still…
Anyway, I got home and immediately threw on my running gear and headed out to the East River. I ran at a very easy 7:20/mile pace and just enjoyed the feeling of being out running again. I had a surprising amount of muscle soreness all over and was strangely winded right from the start, but I didn’t let that bother me. It was actually a pretty good run right up until the 3 mile mark (I was only planning 4). Then, the same damn pain came back. It was milder than before, so I decided to give it a little while and see if it went away but it didn’t. Instead it escalated and became severe. Trying to be smart, I quit running and walked home after 3.4 miles.
I stretched out, did the foam roller, iced, and all that fun stuff, now with the added joy of applying this nasty-smelling lube all over my knee. It’s still pretty sore, but I’m hoping for the best. I’ll take tomorrow off and then see how I feel Wednesday. Hopefully better. It felt so good to be out there running today. I want that feeling back.
Wow, I’m surprised you caved and finally went to the M.D. I know how you hate them and all. I hope getting that confirmatory diagnosis helped to some extent. From how slow your recovery is going, I’m thinking there must be some fluid to be drained in that knee. An MRI might be good for that. Best of luck in your recovery!
Tendinitis is a bitch, dude. It needs time to completely subside. Likely the MRI will be unnecessary; you have the classic signs. Too much, too soon, too fast likely caused it. Running hard every day chews up your legs. Add lots of miles and new (minimalist, no less) shoes and it’s the perfect recipe.
As for coming back, I know it’s tough to sit on the sidelines … but rush it and the inflammation will continue to nag far longer. Try biking, swimming, elliptical to keep in shape — and keep busy during the layoff. Keep it no-impact to let that area heal. Roll. Stretch. Ice. Rinse and repeat.
When you do start running, slooooow it down. Sure, 7:20 may feel easy, but that’s only :15 slower than your MP. It should be a total jog. And get on a soft surface, like grass–do loops around Sheep Meadow in Central Park.
Let patience win out with this one. Then, when healthy, remember that an ounce of prevention …
When I had ITBS my doctor gave me several sheets of stretches and strengthening exercises I needed to do daily. Did they not do the same for you? It was my leg raises that saved me, I think. Not just the ITB stretches, but sitting on the floor and doing straight leg raises. Followed by lots of foam rolling. Ouch.
I know *exactly* how you feel. It’s incredibly frustrating. Good luck. Take it easy. And, leg raises!!!
Hang in there. It certainly won’t remedy itself overnight. I read up a lot about the IT band when I had some problems with it, and it was recommended that when you start running again, go very slow. No speed at all. Easy runs. The number of miles doesn’t matter, just easy!
I have a friend who does offroad triathlons for XTerra and he had IT trouble that permanently shifted his knee cap. When he stands straight, one knee is obviously to the side.
Be careful!
so, seriously, what made you go see a doctor??? that’s just strange ;-)
I am convinced most of them don’t know anything, or don’t care enough. Unless, you find a sports doctor who also happens to be a runner… that’s the only way to go. Let me know if you want to try someone else, I met great doctors/runners last week in the NYRR hospital class last week…
So sorry it started hurting again… I know it sucks to have to wait!!!
You make me nervous with your exuberance. :-) I wrote a lengthy comment to your comment on my blog today, so take a look when you can. I agree about not running too fast, don’t think you have to go slow either, just reasonable easy pace. Also, about trails, it depends on your trail, I’m sure, but I feel better if I stay on the road, maybe because I have more spring in my stride. Don’t know if you need a reminder either but avoid downhills.