Thursday, January 14, 2010

Not the best news.

I went back to the doctor today since the ITB pain in my knee was not getting better with physical therapy and, in fact, was getting worse. My hope was to get some real drugs and potentially a MRI to confirm the diagnosis for the outside of my knee. While I was there I figured that I would have them take a look at my hip and interior knee pain that started up a couple of weeks ago (prehalf marathon) but also seems to be getting worse. There was a screw up with the appointment and the doctor I initially saw wasn't in. I asked if I could see his partner (I don't have any sort of life commitment to a doctor I've seen only once). They hooked me up.

They took xrays of my hip and then he moved my leg into many positions that it wasn't meant to be in. After looking at the xray he said "your running career is closer to the end than the beginning." He didn't seem to care too much about my knee (ITB is ITB) but it was all about the hip. The xray shows I've got arthritis, bone spurs and hip impingement (femoroacetabular impingement). He gave me drugs, an exercise routine, and said stop running. Completely.

Gentle bike riding should be OK (he said don't do anything crazy like a spin class or something that is hard). Anything in the pool should be OK. If the drugs work, I can try walking on a flat surface (no hills at all). If not cured, come back in 6 weeks and we'll talk next steps (most likely MRI with contrast and/or pain injections). He said don't plan on running multiple marathons or the like pretty much forever.

As you can imagine, this didn't make me happy.

I moped around for a while but then started thinking (which is always dangerous). I decided to give this no running thing a chance to cure me. I'm going to bump up my weekly swimming sessions and will ride only gently for a few weeks. If that doesn't work, stopping exercise and gaining back the weight aren't options. I've got to figure out what I can do and then do it.

The journey just got a little harder. Time to earn the rock star status. Somebody has to do it so it might as well be me.

14 comments:

Anonymous said...

I am so sorry to hear this news. But, keep on swimming and light biking. See how the hip feels in a few weeks and then recheck. Hope you start to feel better. Stay positive.

Big Clyde said...

What a bummer! Sorry to hear it, but you already have the right attitude for the next chapter. Swimming and biking can burn lots of calories!

Big Clyde

Unknown said...

Definately not great news.

but you have the right attitude. let's give this no running thing a chance. focus on swimming and cycling. and see what happens. in time, when running comes back, you'll be that much better in the other disciplines. :-)

Manderz said...

Wow, I'm so sorry. This might not be the best thing to tell you but my dad was told something similar. He never stopped running and he ended up having both of his hips replaced last year at the age of 58. I think its very smart to take the doctors advice and lay off of running for awhile. You never know - you can come back 10x better.

Mel-2nd Chances said...

So sorry to read this, I hope it's only a bump in the road!!! :( Sending you some speedy healing vibes!

Tri Mommy said...

I am so sorry. To put a positive spin on things - you can now be a rockstart duathlete. Swimming and cycling are still awesome!

Please keep us posted as thing unfold. I am hoping for the best!

Big Daddy Diesel said...

Sorry to hear that

Al's CL Reviews said...

Well that sucks. This isn't something that can get a 2nd opinion, can it?

You have the right attitude though...swimming and cycling. You'll just have to triathlons as a relay team.

Dee said...

Sorry to hear this. I definitely think a second opinion is a great idea, and in the end if you cant keep running without permanent damage, what about Aquathons? Long distance Bike rides/races? Open water swims? You never know though... Maybe another Dr. (hospital for special surgery in NYC) will have another take on the future of your running career? Keep up the positive additude...it's an inspiration to all of us! Dee

M2Marathon said...

Well, it's never fun to be told that you CAN'T run...but at the same time, I don't think being in chronic pain is that much fun either, running or no. Take care, do what other things you can and see what happens from there. I am certainly no doctore, but I liberally prescribe fish oil capsules for all pains joint. Can't hurt; might help. :) chin up.

JAllgood said...

Sorry to hear. What a disappointment! Hang in there and see what this not running thing does.

Tricia said...

:( What a bummer. Hope you feel better soon.

Great job trying to stay positive.

(now I'm off to read your race recap)

Bobbi said...

Hey Rockstar! It is only fitting that you get this condition which affects high level athletes. This is what A-Rod had!

Bobbi
(Swim Coach)

Vickie said...

Well if this is any consolation to you, I have one personal friend and another triathlon friend who either do full ironman races or halfs, with one winning her age group at every race I've ever been at (and she is 53) and both have had hip replacements. The one guy who does the IM races just walks the marathon and walks many other races as well. He also teaches spin classes and is a hard core biker. Don't give up hope. It may be a while before you get to the point where they (or you) consider hip replacement, but if that becomes an option, you might want to look at that so you can continue on with racing. I think the key here is to ease into whatever you are doing, until you condition enough to take it a step farther. Once your conditioning level increases, your hip should be able to more withstand any stress you put on it without doing more damage or leaving you in pain.