Myrtles: the exercises with the funny name that are keeping me out of a nursing home.

Perhaps I should let you all know that I've been diagnosed with both I-don't-know-what's-wrong-with-you and there's-nothing-wrong-with-you, two conditions common in the medical world (contrary to every episode of House).

In short form, here's what's up: Really unusual complete stress fracture of distal femur in late 2012; very long healing course; too-soon return to running; re-injury summer 2013; since then edema in femur and constant pain.

Two doctors have cleared me as totally healthy (both tell me that the bone, although it has a 2" area of cortical thickening, should be totally fine and painless). 

Yet my left leg still hurts. Luckily I, with the help of my PT, was able to dig a little deeper. 

I have some serious adductor issues! My adductors are very tight all the time, and paired with weak abductors, they're pulling on both insertion points (groin and femur). This causes a throbbing bone pain and probably caused last year's stress fracture. When the pain is in the groin, it doesn't bother me at all. I don't even notice it. When it's in the leg, though, I do - and it wakes me up at night.

To the rescue: Myrtles. This funny little clip has the perfect, easy-to-complete, short routine for hip strengthening. Coupled with adductor and hamstring stretches, it's doing the trick. Now, I do this routine every morning and every night, doing double on the left side, where most of the weakness is. I also printed out the list of exercises for ease.

I've noticed a big difference already! In fact, just 48 hours after first starting, the pain subsided and I was able to go for a (ten minute) run. I really couldn't believe it.
Dr. Jordan Metzl (of the Iron Strength workout) teaches that you can control pain with strength. and it's certainly working here. Hurray for therapy that works!