Sprained my knee -- Ortho gave me cortisone shot
Coach P recommended I reach out to the team about getting back into my training after sprained knee/cortisone shot.
Back story: 2 weeks ago last Sunday, I was at mile 11 in my long run. A car pulled out in front of me causing me to stop abruptly. It felt like my knee cap slid over my patella. Ouch. Cool down mile and everything felt ok, but fatigued. I went to shake my legs out a bit, high knees, butt kicks, and POP, inside of my knee. No swelling, just wonky pain the next two days. I attempted a trainer ride on that Wednesday with stiffness in the front of knee. Knew it was a problem then, and into runner/bike jail I went. Sunday, full week after initial injury I began taking prednisone to hopefully knock out the inflammation. Good news was no clicking, heat, or popping coming from affected area. 4 days rest. Knee felt great so went for an EASY bike. Stiff again. Saturday I woke up to a swollen leg, freaked out, and went to OrthoCarolina where they confirmed it was a sprain. The dr. recommended either more oral steroids or a cortisone shot to continue to fight the inflammation... and here I am. Another learning curve for this girl. I didn't realize the negative effect cortisone has on the soft tissue, and can end up hurting rather than helping. Good news is my A race is not until September so I'm OK in jail for now.
So for all of you veterans who have gone through something like this... any tips on how I can slowly start up again on the bike? I've got the Blue Ridge Camp at the end of the month I would obviously like to still participate. My PT says 2 weeks in jail to get the cortisone out, and we will slowly start dialing back in. MD said 3 days and see how you feel... Until then, my butt is in the pool with a pull buoy.
Thanks folks, EB
Comments
Hey EB,
Sorry to hear about the knee. I'm more qualified to be an astronaut than a physician, but I wouldn't even think of returning to a doc who shot you up with cortisone upon initial consult and diagnosis of a sprained knee. That's pretty much nuts. Even if cortisone were good for you - which it isn't - the risk of infection alone isn't worth the benefit, IMO. I'm just glad he didn't scope the knee while he was at it.
If it's truly just a sprain, be smart, let it heal. For me, that means RICE until there's no swelling, no/minimal pain. Do what your PT says, unless he/she has ties to Dr. Happy Needle. Once I get to the point where an injury is just a nick or bump, I just try out a little walk/jog or spin. If it's a little tight/sore at the start of a run/bike, but quickly fades away as I warm up, then I'm usually fine, and the issue will resolve in a week or two. If it gets worse as I warm up, I stop. And let it heal. Again, I'm not giving you medical advice, other than to ignore and avoid the guy who is giving you medical advice.