Hm, I can't imaging why I'm injured! Really, that's a recipe for overuse injury, and I think that's exactly what I have.
I don't have an official diagnosis, but I am 100% sure this is a stress fracture. I have textbook symptoms, and my recent running history also points to the likelihood of this being a fracture. Maybe it's not a bad one - I definitely caught it early; I saw my doctor the day after it started to hurt, and no fracture was visible on the x-ray, so it was too early for any osseous changes to show. But I will probably never get an official diagnosis.
Why? Well, my doctor, who obstinately refuses to think this is a stress fracture, has asked me to get a confirmatory MRI. Totally understand that - you need proof before you can go willy-nilly prescribing walking boots, etc. But with my schedule, holidays and end of the year, the schedule of the imaging center, and the fact that I am changing insurance January first (and restarting a jumbo deductible!), I probably won't be able to get one until the first week of January. And at that point...well, I'd be four weeks out and probably out of the boot, anyway.
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| Walking boot, the perfect holiday accessory! |
So I think I'm just going to go ahead and not get the MRI, and self-treat. Please, someone, when I lose use of my left foot, remind me that I wrote these words. But really, I think it's ok. One of my dear friends is lending me her walking boot (oh, runners!), and I don't intend to wear it long, anyway. I see the value in protecting the tender bone from impact until a callous starts to form, but then I need to start stimulating bone growth, and that happens with impact. I guess I'm thinking about a week or three in a boot, then three more bootless, then see how it feels? I know healing times vary hugely for stress fractures, so I'll have to play it by pain!
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This is kind of what happened to me with my second (tibia) stress fracture. Having had one before I knew--KNEW!--exactly what it felt like and I knew I was right. I didn't even bother going to the doctor or asking for a scan because to me it was so obvious & I was already pretty well versed in the treatment protocol from last time. Happy to report that I did NOT lose the use of my left leg but DID save a lot of money on medical expenses.
ReplyDeleteI think you have the right idea personally. I would not get an MRI either, because essentially you're paying hundreds of dollars to confirm an injury where the treatment is rest. You may as well just rest for say, 4 weeks, then see how it feels if you need to rest longer. That's what I did earlier this year. Also, I really wish medical professionals were nicer about things like money and realizing that we are not made of it. I just dumped my PT because I was paying $90 to essentially have someone watch me do exercises I was already doing at home. I don't think she realized or knew what I was paying because most people's insurance helps them out with some of that. It wouldn't be a huge deal if my copay was say $20.
ReplyDeleteAnyway, I really hate that this happened to you because you were having a super successful season! And I was jealous of all the awesome training runs you did. But, you'll get back there and you're still a kickass runner no matter what!
My PT was invaluable to help me recover from my hip surgeries, and were a vital component in my return to running. But other than that, I almost always think PT sessions are a waste of money. Unless I'm there for Graston or dry needling, I can mostly replicate the process at home.
DeleteI agree. Mine used a TENS unit on my injury, which I could also purchase on my own. She also massaged it a little, but I can get a full body massage for 2/3 of the cost of PT.
DeleteAnd of course, I can do the exercises at home, without a babysitter. I don't need to pay for motivation to do the PT exercises, wanting to get back to running is motivation enough...
I totally understand why you are opting not to get the MRI since your deductible is starting over and things like that are stupid expensive. I feel so bad for you, though. Just when you are feeling great and running in peak condition, this happens to you. :(
ReplyDeleteMRIs are such a hassle. The scheduling, the time it takes to go, and then an entirely different appointment to get the results. But it does sound like a stress fracture, and it sounds like you are doing all the right things. I am so bummed for you. :-(
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