John 8:32 "Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free." NIV

Thursday, March 4, 2010

And the Doctor said...

I went to my awesome doctor yesterday. Before I tell you what he said about my knee pain, let me just tell you why he is awesome. He is a sports guy and so he would not just tell me to, "Stop training for the marathon." Actually, he sort of gave me a sour taste of honest back when I had my knee surgery in June of 2008. He said, "You just gotta take this weight off." And I was like, "Well, duh!" He responded, "So do it... just don't complain about why you can't". I responded well to that if I may say so.

When I arrived to his office... let me just tell you that he didn't recognize me. Not because he is awful and cannot remember his patients, but because I had changed SO much since he last saw me. The first thing he said was, "Wow Jen, you look GREAT" with a big smile and even more enthusiasm than all caps can convey. See, I told you he is awesome! (Not that you are going there, but in case you are - we are both happily married with two children each, so he was NOT flirting... just genuinely happy that I had shed the weight. He was surprised it was 50 lbs... but that just means I carry fat well - and who wants that trophy? Not, me!)

Anyway, after examining my knee and poking and turning it and asking me where the pain levels where, he diagnosed it as: Iliotibial Band Syndrome or IT Band issues or Runner's knee.




According to About.com: "People who suddenly increase their level of activity, such as runners who increase their mileage, often develop iliotibial band syndrome." Check!

This was great news. I thought he may ask me to have my ACL surgery sooner than later. And he once again confirmed that running does not affect your ACL and reminded me that I cannot play basketball, soccer, tennis, dodge ball (remember, I am a youth minister), or any other sports that require side pivoting... because down I will go and it will hurt. He offered a Cortisone shot and I kindly declined. Can we say, "Ouch!"?

He gave me a list of stretches and after conversing with my sister-in-law Kirsten who has suffered with this for many years - currently in recovery, I got a game plan and it includes lots of stretching, rolling on my foam roller (instead of allowing my son to pretend it is Darth Vadar - since it is black - and destroy it), and ICE, ICE, ICE it!

And in case you missed it in my review yesterday, I ran 3.1 miles pushing the jogging stroller and baby in 29:52 on Monday. My breathing was AWFUL.. but it felt good to really push myself.
Be sure to enter the KALYX giveaway here.

20 comments:

Janet said...

Great news Jen. Here you come marathan.

Ex Yo-Yo Dieter Debbie said...

That sounds like a tough love sort of doctor, based on what he said to you when you had more weight on. But then again, the no-BS approach worked; you took his advice and just did it!

Hope the knee gets better soon

Teamarcia said...

Geez BTDT unfortunately with ITB. Mine flared right after I ran Chicago. I have some good yoga stretches in my blog I'll dig up for you.

Hannah said...

Isn't it awesome when you get a diagnosis that doesn't mean you have to quit entirely!? I am over the moon that I was diagnosed with a sprained ankle instead of a stress fracture yesterday! Whoooohooooo!

Hope you start feeling better soon. Hopefully the foam roller will give you some relief.

teacherwoman said...

Glad to hear your appointment with the doc went great! I LURVE the foam roller!

Molly said...

that's great, ice is my best friend!

Marlene said...

Sounds like a great doc, and what a nice compliment! I can see how he would hardly recognize you!

Good news that you have a diagnosis and treatment plan. I've had ITBS myself and got very familiar with my foam roller!

Paige (The Last Doughnut) said...

Having a game plan makes everything easier!!!

karen@fitnessjourney said...

As a massage therapist, I can tell you that most people never stretch their IT band. Most people have never heard of that muscle, but it can reek havoc on the knee. Hope everything turns out well and that Dr. Wonderful's advice works for you. Knee pain and marathon training don't make a good match.

RunningFromCancer said...

Yup - I hurt my IT band last fall.

ICE - massage and stretching does work.

Good luck

Ewa said...

Have your tried ice baths after longer runs? They are not as bad as you might think. I run cold water into the tub, only 1/3 full, add ice and hop in. The initial shock is nasty but then it feels all right and if you have a cup of hot tea with you it is actually nice.

Emily S said...

Awesome news! IT band problems are really common, so it's nothing that can't be fixed with some great stretches. Yay for you!

Emily
2010in2010blog.com

Marjolein said...

Ooooh can I borrow your doctor sometimes, he sounds luuuuuurrrrvly. Just the sort of doctor I would need. Mine just sits there and looks at me without any sort of humour or compassion. Not even straight talking like yours.
Good news, though.

Karen said...

I love doctors that "get" it. You know, that you really would rather not put everything on hold. So glad you found a good one!

Tara said...

Oh yes girl, use that foam roller. Those are magical! I'm glad that everything turned out ok!

misszippy said...

Good for you for turning down the cortisone-use that foam roller. They are great. Get a massage if you can also

Good luck

Felice Devine said...

I had ITBS and rolling and using a tennis ball to loosen up my hip/butt areas were the best. Good luck!

MCM Mama said...

GReat news! Sounds like an awesome doctor!

Sunshine Mama said...

That is good news!! No needed surgery and you can work with what the problem is.

Elle Bieling said...

Hi Jen,
Congratulations on your success thus far. It is very encouraging to see that your faith in God and in yourself has helped you in your journey towards health and healing.
I would highly recommend foam rolling your IT band and your iliopsoas, gastrocs, and so forth. Many of us just don't know where are muscle hot spots are. When you use a foam roller meditatively, more painful areas can be discovered that you didn't know you had! We tend to use one side more than the other, then overcompensate to find the right balance. Foam rolling helps you find your balance, in my experience.
I am 51 and though my sport is not running, I still find my legs need constant work (foam rolling is my fav) to keep me active and healthy.
I post videos for stretching and foam rolling, if you are interested, at www.bodywindow.com.
Blessings to you as you continue your journey!
Elle
www.bodywindow.com