Well hello my little bloggy friends. It looks like you're here because you want to know the results of my MRI. Well the good news is I don't have a stress fracture. Even though I kidded that it would be easier to just have a fracture and KNOW exactly what was going on, there are far too many complications that go along with fractures/broken bones. So I am, in fact, thankful that I don't have a fracture.
It turns out I have what amounts to a muscle strain/pull. There is no major tear but my injury could be made up of numerous microscopic tears. Basically I have a bad hamstring and there is inflammation and edema at the base where the gluteus attaches. It's nothing really major, it's really more of a nuisance.
You see, hamstring injuries (I'm told) are injuries that take the longest to repair (oh goodie). While I've already rested for 5 weeks, I'm probably only half way there. The good thing is, that at the end of 12 weeks of rest, I could be good as new. The bad thing is, at the end of 12 weeks, I was told that I should take a FULL MONTH to work up to running just one mile. One measly little mile. Really?
My doctor recommended that I continue to rest for up to 12 weeks. That means NO EXERCISE. No bike, no swimming, no nothing. Well, he did tell me I could swim if I put a float between my legs and just used my arms. That sounds fun right? He also doesn't recommend that I stretch at all (because it will actually do more harm than good) and I won't be going to physical therapy. It's just me, myself and I sitting on the couch watching Judge Judy for the next 5 to 7 weeks. He did say that I could work with a doctor (who works with the Pittsburgh Pirates) who would take blood and do XYZ to it and then inject the blood back into my hamstrings. Apparently this increases recovery time by up to 40%. We're talking 20 days here. Um no.
The point is, I'm not an athlete. It's not my job to run, it's just my outlet. So while it might seem tempting to go down the road of injections, I can only imagine what they would cost and I just didn't see where it would be worth it.
At the end of 12 weeks I can resume activities like swimming and biking and the elliptical, but like I said he really wants me to ease back into running. Oddly enough, I didn't even ask about CrossFit. I figure I'll know when it's time.
Looking back I'm positive my "injury" is a result of overuse. I was working out 6 days a week almost every week for a very long time. I promise myself, despite the desire to do otherwise, that I'm going to take more rest days. I think MY body needs it.
To say I'm upset about what's going on is a mild understatement, but there's no use in crying over it. I mean, what can I do? If I don't listen to my doctor's recommendations, then why did I go to him in the first place? I'm going to allow my body to recover for another 5 weeks AT LEAST and reevaluate. I will not attempt ANY workout until my hamstring feels 100%.
I won't be running the Austin Half Marathon nor will I be running the Cherry Blossom Race (both of which I've already registered for and therefore paid for). I'm definitely incredibly sad about what's going on, but I'm not going to allow this injury to define me or make me rethink who I am.
Onward and upward (in about 5 to 7 weeks).
Monday 4 February 2013
MRI Results
Posted on 16:46 by Unknown
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