And I most certainly feel anything but fine.
I have had these chronic symptoms since early December – dull pain throughout the hip and groin, radiating sometimes to the knee, across the front during hip flexion and external rotation, pain during running, antalgic gait while running. I took 3 weeks completely off after the marathon, then started up again slowly, running every other day or so. In January I still could not run pain free, but there were good days and bad days. I never ran more than 3-5miles at each time. I added the trainer back in and was riding several times a week as well, and of course I was swimming at least 3 days a week.
With the pain not ever really going away (with the exception of my last trainer ride, when everything miraculously loosened up and I felt normal again), I took one of my reader’s advice and purchased the Yoga for Athletes DVD.
I finally saw an orthopedist who specializes in sports medicine on Friday.
He palpated me, moved my leg, asked questions. He ordered an X ray – showed nothing. He said it sounded like a FNSF – femoral neck stress fracture, which is just about the worst kind of stress fracture you can get. If a FNSF is left untreated it can turn into a complete fracture of the bone, which will then lead to avascular necrosis (loss of blood flow to the trochanter, which will in turn lead to arthritis of the hip). Dr. Casey ordered a bone scan for Tuesday.
Until then, I am not allowed to run.
OK fine, I can deal with that. Not being able to run was what sent me into cycling to begin with, and I suppose it wouldn’t hurt my cycling career to actually spend the early part of the training season riding my bike.
Dr. Casey said No to cycling.
No cycling. No running. No weight bearing activity.
Treatment for FNSF goes like this: 4-6 weeks on crutches, then another 6-8 weeks of getting the body used to gentle walking again. Once walking can be done pain free, running 1 mile at a time can be introduced. My guess is cycling is allowed back in during that same time period.
Let’s see.
Today is Feb 2. I get the bone scan on the 5th. Results come back around the 10th. Another appointment with Dr. Casey will either confirm or refute his diagnosis. Provided that Dr. Casey is right, that means crutches until mid March, then still no activity til early May.
I can swim. That is all I can do. I cannot even do yoga for the next 6 weeks, as that is weight bearing activity.
I cannot pool run, as that still applies a force on the offending bone.
So basically, if the diagnosis is correct (And I have 100% of the symptoms and it’s like 90% a sure thing that it is a stress fracture), then I get to spend the next 12-14 weeks becoming sedentary.
I will most likely lose all muscle mass in my legs, since I cannot do any weight bearing activity, so even strength training is out. Losing muscle mass will also mean a drop in metabolism, so I will have to really watch my diet to ensure I do not gain a ton of weight.
I know that lots of pro cyclists suffer from broken bones. But a broken collarbone means that you can still ride the trainer. Tibial stress fractures for runners means that you can still ride a bike for fitness.
The only thing I can do to maintain cardiovascular fitness is to swim. My guess is I might get really good at swimming over the next 3 months.
But it also means that I won’t begin any real training until May, and that means starting from scratch. If I am lucky, I might be back into a fitness level that is worthy of entering a race in August – just when the road season is ending.
This, quite frankly, SUCKS.
February 2nd, 2008 | 
Bummer. Sounds like you’ll be the fish lady for a bit.
Hey, Kerry. I’m one of John Hirsch’s athletes and I read your blog occasionally — I’m a short chick too.
Sorry about your leg – injury sucks donkey balls. I had the same exact symptoms that you’re reporting after running RTB this year. My doctor also suspected FNSFs but they turned out to be femoral shaft fractures, one in each leg. Shaft fractures suck too — I was on crutches and wasn’t allowed to swim since it hurt, but the recovery time is often quicker than a neck fracture) and there isn’t a risk of loss of blood supply to the hip. I was back to swimming after 4 weeks, cycling after 8 and running after 11. Of course none of this helps if it is a neck fracture but it’s just something to keep in mind as you wait for the bone scan.
Good luck.
Hey chica – so sorry to hear that. I was diagnosed w/ a stress fracture in my ankle a few weeks ago (too much running on ice in my old racing flats – smart, huh?)… not the same as what you’re dealing with, but I practiced a lot of sports psychology techniques (me, mrs. I go to real doctors and believe in prescription drugs for everything). I started going to my aunt for supplemental Eastern Medical treatments (cupping, acupuncture, etc). It all really helped and got my mind in a good place. I set goals for myself. Goals for getting stronger and getting off crutches, goals to eat better, rehab techniques etc.
I have a book I should send you that were really helpful. Your new fav website should help too…I think it’s important to know exactly what and where your injury is and how the body will heal. Each day I spend a few minutes visualizing blood flowing to the injury site, imagine my bones sowing back together, etc… Sounds like a total crock, but real medical doctors (My poppa bear included) show studies of these techniques working and aiding in recovery.
Try to stay positive…I like to think of it as getting my bad luck out of the way for the year. Also, there’s never a good time to be injured, but there is better and worse – I’d rather miss a few workout days in January than in July or August.
Hang tough and just think…using crutches makes your upper body stronger…you’ll have a powerful swim pull in no time!
so, if you do not do any kind of weight bearing activities there is a very good possibility that you will end up with osteoporosis when you get older, you know, like me. Walking is a weight bearing activity. are you going to be able to walk ?????
That does suck. Best wishes for a speedy and fully recovery.
I know what it is like to be injured. Rest up and always take 2 extra days after you feel great to get back into some type of training. You will do great!
damn
might as well get married and have a baby
Baby? HA! I have two things to say about that:
1.) I absolutely loathe children and have ZERO maternal instincts
2.) My chiropractor, upon treating me for a problematic SI joint (which may or may not be related to the current injury) said at my last visit “I hope you weren’t planning on having kids, because that would really mess up your pelvis even more”
I have never, ever wanted kids, and now that I have a medical excuse not to, the decision is final.
I WILL NEVER PRODUCE OFFSPRING
Ahh, grasshopper. So, sorry for your troubles.
But remember the Ancient Chinese Proverb which says: “A gem cannot be polished without friction, nor woman perfected without trials.”
So, you must learn to swim like the wind. And, only when you have become one with the waves will you run & bike boldly again. Not to mention crush all other tri-athlete wanna-be’s.
If this advice does not suit you, then remember another Ancient Chinese Proverb which says: “Do not remove a fly from your friend’s forehead with a hatchet.”
Ugh.
Sorry to hear about this, K. Get better soon!