Kori, that was hard to read, and I'm sure it's a LOT harder to live thru/with. You've got to get some answers, but for sure at this point, thinking about training for an Ironman in May is out of the question. Might as well use the WTC transfer policy for a fall (Chatt/Louisville/Maryland/FL/AZ) if any of those are still open, so there's a *chance* you might not lose all your $$$ save the meager refund they offer.
Many of us have lost some capabilities we once had, and I know how tough that is to live with. I've finally (after 6 years) come to terms with the stuff that stayed on the road when I went down, and am able to have fun with the fitness I do have. But I still grieve at times.
Number one, of course, is to continue to be the great MOM you have been and not let any of this get in the way of that.
@Kori, No offense but I did not want to see you on this thread ! I'm with AL , no way to IMTX, but personally I would consider an Aquabike at IMTX for fun and training... You have nothing to prove, we know finishing is not a goal, and walking an IM just doesnt even make sense for you... So transfer or do aquabike...... I'm doing IMMD :-) and Heather is doing IMLOU...
Might as well do my update- Shoulder- is a 100% or better than before, seems like recovering from broken collar bones and separated shoulders you can come back better than before... In the gym and even doing pullups... Swim Meet recently just set an all time PB for the 100yd and 400yd freestyle off the blocks... Hip- is still another story- several weeks ago I got a copy of the MRI report and read about the "Small focal superior anterior left acetabular labral tear" that I did not know about in addition to the already known nondisplaced incomplete intertrochanteric fraxture of the left proximal femur... My doc really thinks the tear is a non-event to the fracture ... I'm not so sure... I have an appt with another doc this week , not an orthopaedist but one I plan to use as primary care and will talk about who to go to for a second opinion... The reason I said I am not so sure is I can still feel something in my groin/hip socket , it is not pain, it is similar to some of the descriptions/locations for labral tears but not as bad , but I know its something that is not healed or right . Its been almost 8 weeks NO running... And to give the doc some credit I do finally think I am healing... My understanding is its very rare for a tear to heal or more correctly have all symptoms go away without surgery and just PT/rest approach... However , I am a firm believer in the fact the body wants to heal itself... My "tear" is also co-incidental with a trauma which is very much different than a tear from wear... Cycling hard and doing well with no issues, walking, doing some self PT like the myryl routine, some eliptical , etc... Lot less optimistic for the hip than I am with the shoulder :-(
Hi Kori, this is the right place for you. I do have a few thoughts to share. I too had a patellar tendon ACL done in 1990. My only lasting effect has been not getting complete flexion no matter how hard I tried. Original surgery post 6 months felt I had an impingement. Was scoped and had manipulation under anaesthesia which helped immensely in my rehab. One thing I was told right out of the gate "your knee will alway's swell with exercise", true to today. I believe you have a cadaver graft replacement now(foreign body) so I believe you will have discomfort and swelling for some time differ than your first surgery but will decrease over time. Your other injuries are just as important to address and rehab and I believe you and the PT are tackling that as well.
Like all rehab programs I started slow/steady. I was in the military and I had to do it smart or I was without a job/career. I bet you did it that way the first time as well. Forward 15 years later same person differ mindset and differ fitness perspective. You want to be who you were 6 months and a day ago. You're probably pushing the limit's plus 1. You feel the need to get back to Kori as you know her". That may take some time. As a good surgeon co worker said to me once "time heals everything Steve"?!
Time to sit back and reflect on what is important to you, as you alluded to in your post, kids, fitness, sanity to name a few and totally relate to it.
As far as I can see in your post the common denominater not helping you from moving forward is this thing called "running" and it totally makes sense to me. The decision to temporarily leave this out of your rehab program I know is hard but smart.. Swimming and cycling will keep your aerobic capabiities at a good fitness standard. As for all those charts, graphs, and your frustration . Time to make new ones with rehab fitness goals from daily, weekly, and end state.
For the competitive spirit in you for triathlon IM as a side I have a friend whose knees are shot but to support his wifes endeavours he just does the swim/bike and calls it. You could do that for Texas or as Al mentioned move it forward and I would recommend a bone flat course.
If your knee, shoulder, neck is not coming around with time/rehab and TLC further investigation is warranted. I have had 5 knee operations over time and found a way back and you know me and what I do. There is no doubt in my mind you too will find a way as well, celebrate and build on all your small victories to make you whole, chin up girl, support you all the way and keep us posted, vent as necessary(prn).
Kori, sorry to hear about your saga. Perhaps some of this is the body just not healing the way it did when 15 years younger. Your emotion and frustration shows through strongly and that is fine. I get it. As for Texas, I would not do it. In fact, maybe you should experiment with doing nothing for 3-4 months. Your goal is to get back to your daily life, free of discomfort. I cannot see how workouts help that to occur. Frankly there is a huge argument not to put any races on the calendar until you are able to train properly. That is what I have done (no races on the calendar)…it is one less reason to try to "accelerate the recovery" as opposed to respect the rehab fully. I am really, REALLY jealous when I see people running outside – all those people training for Boston, which is what I should be doing right now. Sometimes I wonder "hey, if my PT says I'm making progress ahead of schedule, why not do a little run/walk, test it out a bit…after all, that other surgeon's rehab protocol allows it". But I made a pact with myself that I would follow orders to the T. So that's what I'll do. As someone who does races for recreation, I really think that there is no upside in trying to force the recovery speed. For pros I can understand it may be different.
p.s. I'm giving my Boston bib to my PT so he gets a better starting corral, that must be good recovery karma, right?? Maybe you can do something similar like give your primo Woodlands hotel to a teammate or something!!
Finally some progress to report... Shoulder is BACK , actually even think I am gaining some muscle in the gym :-) No really :-0 HIP- 6 weeks Biking Hard and the watts are finally returning... (one observations is L/R power is 45/55 when its normally 47/53) HIP- Run- well its been 10 weeks since last run and 13 weeks since crash impact- for the last 2 weeks I have felt ZERO in the groin area- This lack of awareness of anything whatsoever in my groin is what I was waiting for... It happened to coincide with the magical 8 week mark and the PT of myrtyl routine / lunge matrix started at the same time.... so I started the "Come Back"... I will not call these runs, they are more like shuffle's ... The goal was to make sure I felt nothing while doing them and nothing later that day or the next...Over the course of 2 weeks - I started with 1min - 2 x 30" and then progressed thru these.... 2min - 4 x 30", 3min- 6 x 30", 1.5min - 3 x 30" , 3min- 4 x 45" , 4min - 4 x 1', 5min - 5 x 1', 6min- 4 x 1.5', 8min- 4 x 2' ..... There is no pace to report, its a shuffle, concentrating on tiny light steps, no risk of injury, with lots of warm up walking, walking between and walking after....feeling good about this progress, continuing the PT, will progress the time slowly.
Until this morning I considered my run comeback complete. I've actually been running the best I have in a long time, seeing paces come down nicely and returned to the effortless feeling for short easy runs. Yesterday I had some shin soreness, but able to run through it. Today it sidelined me pretty quick, and I'm sitting here with ice packs right now. I've dealt with shin splints off and on since high school, with several stress fractures that I ran right through and only found out about later by being a research guinea pig for a friend's MRI study. So I know to be careful, but I've also had many experiences in the past where they are excruciating one day and fine the next. The body is a weird thing. Slightly ironic that I'm typing this all from a PT conference. Hoping to still hit my long run on Sunday.
Tim ... Must be a relief to be moving again. How will you know fracture is healed, another MRI? Or just continued improvement via baby steps with no pain?
I'm back to full volume in all three sports, but only intensity so far is on the bike. My R elbow ("medial epicondylitis", or golfers elbow - opposite side from tennis elbow, actually the tendon baseball pitchers get replaced in Tommy John surgery) is almost pain free, and my presumed L hamstring tendonitis feels confined to occasional twinges in the gluteal area. I will wait until each is gone before returning to full throttle in the water or on the track.
Three months after hernia surgery, there are absolutely no after effects, complications or reminders.
Al... Nice to hear the hernia is in the rearview mirrow and a distant memory... Those niggling R-elbow, hamstring, glute twinges are a bit concerning ? They seemed to be lasting forever ? But the body is amazing and likes to heal itself with "time"... Are you still in the gym? If so , working the arms does it bother the elbow? And lots of legs to hit the hamstring/glute?
Doc said , No need for an MRI to confirm the fracture healing. Bones take 6 weeks. I have gone way past that....BTW I have had blood tests, calcium tests, a bone scan, will post results when I get them....I have also been tracking my calcium intake via myfitness pal since our conversation, On average I exceed the daily RDA for calcium by 10% per day with just my food (thinking with my size that must be like 200% of RDA for the average american), factor in the 1 a day vitamin that I normally take and I have plenty.. Just the same I added calcium supplement for the last 4-6 weeks anyway... My concern has been the small acetabular tear mentioned in the MRI report as I am convinced that is what I have been feeling in the groin area.... That have finally subsided with time and the PT..... YES it feels good but at the same time I am scared/worried to re-injure... Going oh so slow....My plan is to build up the minutes and then miles over the next 1-2 months and then add intensity... My first race is in JUNE so I have time but its the not knowing that is tough... Racing Eagleman and Sea to Summit in June, got accepted to the Casco Bay SwimRun in August, then IMMD in Oct... I cant keep signing up for stuff not knowing... I also wanted to get into UMFL for next year as I was denied this year (good thing too) they make the decision in April and just not sure I will feel good enough to commit to a 52 mile run next FEB (the entry fee is $1800)....
Tm - If my elbow and hip/hamstring were @ 50% race week in Kona, they are now both 95% and continuing to improve, even with the addition of actual training-like swim and run activities over the past 8 days. One of the things I used as a marker was what I could handle without pain doing wrist curls. When I started the serious elbow re-hab 6 weeks ago, that was only 5#; this past week, I can now do 20#, which is where I was before it all started about six months ago. Same thing with my hamstring: I am handling the same weight as I was before it happened. Before I added the weights, I was doing (am still doing) a bunch of body-weight/core work for the hip/hamstring: planks, bridges, side leg raises, clam-shells, side planks.
25-30 years ago this would have been healed within 3-6 weeks. Now, I guess I'm not shocked to see it take 3-6 MONTHS. Fair warning.
Your plans remind me of a conversation Cheryl and I had maybe 15 years ago, when I was just beginning this journey, and had been running for a few years. I observed that a lot of people I knew who were long-term runners were always complaining of the injuries they would get, and some were even having to give it up because of permanent damage. She wondered if that worried me. I said, "First of all, I never ran until I was 50 - maybe I have fresh legs to work with. And so what if I break down at some point - it's not like I'l have that much time after it happens to worry about it." I'm not so cavalier now. Even at 67, I can imagine another 15-20 years of wanting to ski and bike at least, if not do triathlons. And then there's simply walking, like this trek to Nepal we have coming up. I'd rather stay solid for the next two decades, than beat myself to a pulp chasing things which lead to breakdowns.
I'm about ready to join this group, but am not officially on the "comeback" yet. Looks like we were all pretty beat up at the end of last year!
I had hip arthroscopy 5 February to repair a torn labrum and remove both a cam and pincer lesion that caused these. Recovery from that has been phenomenal. I was on the bike within 24 hour and am up to about 9 hours per week and adding load.
I also came out of last season with a kind of sports hernia - although the Doc hates that term. My lower abs are torn on both sides where they attach and there is a similar tearing in my left adductor where it attaches. I am getting that repaired March 9-10... took a long time to get into this Doc, but he is a superstar, so I expect that will go well.
For now - anything with any impact whatsoever is really not an option. I'm release to start on the elliptical and, together, with the bike, will try to build more strength before the next repair.
The comeback will start the afternoon of March 10th!
Rich, 9 hours/wk on the bike with significant load only 15 days post-op? Wow, that is an aggressive rehab protocol. I studied various protocols to understand how the rehab works and clearly there is a range depending on the surgeon. But I never saw anything close to what you describe. Personally I am on quite a conservative path after the same exact surgery...although I was also on the bike within 24 hours (very typical), I didn't start breaking a sweat on the bike until week 6. At this point in week 10 I am now just a hair away from my pre-op numbers on the bike and my HR is coming down to those levels as well. If all goes according to plan I should be running in week 16-20, although, like you it sounds, I have a secondary injury not treated by the original surgery that will need to be dealt-with as well (not a hernia, rather an issue with the adductors on the same side).
Matt - I am following my Doc's play book. Not sure how the protocols vary amongst Docs. I was down to two Docs - one in Vail at the Steadman clinic and one that is local - but is also focused on this joint and has done multiple thousands of procedures with a focus on return to sports. These guys are putting NHL's back in competition 6-8 weeks post surgery. I am not healing that fast, and the groin will limit my return to running, but I have probably achieved 75% of my range of motion feeling absolutely normal.
Good luck on the adductor. My abs/adductor was apparently brought on by the hip issue, or rather, continuing to run while having gait issues associated with the hip. With luck - we will back up to speed soon!
Comments
Kori, that was hard to read, and I'm sure it's a LOT harder to live thru/with. You've got to get some answers, but for sure at this point, thinking about training for an Ironman in May is out of the question. Might as well use the WTC transfer policy for a fall (Chatt/Louisville/Maryland/FL/AZ) if any of those are still open, so there's a *chance* you might not lose all your $$$ save the meager refund they offer.
Many of us have lost some capabilities we once had, and I know how tough that is to live with. I've finally (after 6 years) come to terms with the stuff that stayed on the road when I went down, and am able to have fun with the fitness I do have. But I still grieve at times.
Number one, of course, is to continue to be the great MOM you have been and not let any of this get in the way of that.
Might as well do my update-
Shoulder- is a 100% or better than before, seems like recovering from broken collar bones and separated shoulders you can come back better than before... In the gym and even doing pullups... Swim Meet recently just set an all time PB for the 100yd and 400yd freestyle off the blocks...
Hip- is still another story- several weeks ago I got a copy of the MRI report and read about the "Small focal superior anterior left acetabular labral tear" that I did not know about in addition to the already known nondisplaced incomplete intertrochanteric fraxture of the left proximal femur... My doc really thinks the tear is a non-event to the fracture ... I'm not so sure... I have an appt with another doc this week , not an orthopaedist but one I plan to use as primary care and will talk about who to go to for a second opinion... The reason I said I am not so sure is I can still feel something in my groin/hip socket , it is not pain, it is similar to some of the descriptions/locations for labral tears but not as bad , but I know its something that is not healed or right . Its been almost 8 weeks NO running... And to give the doc some credit I do finally think I am healing... My understanding is its very rare for a tear to heal or more correctly have all symptoms go away without surgery and just PT/rest approach... However , I am a firm believer in the fact the body wants to heal itself... My "tear" is also co-incidental with a trauma which is very much different than a tear from wear... Cycling hard and doing well with no issues, walking, doing some self PT like the myryl routine, some eliptical , etc... Lot less optimistic for the hip than I am with the shoulder :-(
Hi Kori, this is the right place for you. I do have a few thoughts to share. I too had a patellar tendon ACL done in 1990. My only lasting effect has been not getting complete flexion no matter how hard I tried. Original surgery post 6 months felt I had an impingement. Was scoped and had manipulation under anaesthesia which helped immensely in my rehab. One thing I was told right out of the gate "your knee will alway's swell with exercise", true to today. I believe you have a cadaver graft replacement now(foreign body) so I believe you will have discomfort and swelling for some time differ than your first surgery but will decrease over time. Your other injuries are just as important to address and rehab and I believe you and the PT are tackling that as well.
Like all rehab programs I started slow/steady. I was in the military and I had to do it smart or I was without a job/career. I bet you did it that way the first time as well. Forward 15 years later same person differ mindset and differ fitness perspective. You want to be who you were 6 months and a day ago. You're probably pushing the limit's plus 1. You feel the need to get back to Kori as you know her". That may take some time. As a good surgeon co worker said to me once "time heals everything Steve"?!
Time to sit back and reflect on what is important to you, as you alluded to in your post, kids, fitness, sanity to name a few and totally relate to it.
As far as I can see in your post the common denominater not helping you from moving forward is this thing called "running" and it totally makes sense to me. The decision to temporarily leave this out of your rehab program I know is hard but smart.. Swimming and cycling will keep your aerobic capabiities at a good fitness standard. As for all those charts, graphs, and your frustration . Time to make new ones with rehab fitness goals from daily, weekly, and end state.
For the competitive spirit in you for triathlon IM as a side I have a friend whose knees are shot but to support his wifes endeavours he just does the swim/bike and calls it. You could do that for Texas or as Al mentioned move it forward and I would recommend a bone flat course.
If your knee, shoulder, neck is not coming around with time/rehab and TLC further investigation is warranted. I have had 5 knee operations over time and found a way back and you know me and what I do. There is no doubt in my mind you too will find a way as well, celebrate and build on all your small victories to make you whole, chin up girl, support you all the way and keep us posted, vent as necessary(prn).
p.s. I'm giving my Boston bib to my PT so he gets a better starting corral, that must be good recovery karma, right?? Maybe you can do something similar like give your primo Woodlands hotel to a teammate or something!!
Jan 30: 16' @221 watts, HR 177 avg, 187 max
Today: 22' @225 watts, HR 171 avg, 180 max (followed by another 22'@233 watts, HR 182 avg, 190 max)
Some improvement in overall conditioning over 2 weeks. Looking forward to seeing more...
Shoulder is BACK , actually even think I am gaining some muscle in the gym :-) No really :-0
HIP- 6 weeks Biking Hard and the watts are finally returning... (one observations is L/R power is 45/55 when its normally 47/53)
HIP- Run- well its been 10 weeks since last run and 13 weeks since crash impact- for the last 2 weeks I have felt ZERO in the groin area- This lack of awareness of anything whatsoever in my groin is what I was waiting for... It happened to coincide with the magical 8 week mark and the PT of myrtyl routine / lunge matrix started at the same time.... so I started the "Come Back"... I will not call these runs, they are more like shuffle's ... The goal was to make sure I felt nothing while doing them and nothing later that day or the next...Over the course of 2 weeks - I started with 1min - 2 x 30" and then progressed thru these.... 2min - 4 x 30", 3min- 6 x 30", 1.5min - 3 x 30" , 3min- 4 x 45" , 4min - 4 x 1', 5min - 5 x 1', 6min- 4 x 1.5', 8min- 4 x 2' ..... There is no pace to report, its a shuffle, concentrating on tiny light steps, no risk of injury, with lots of warm up walking, walking between and walking after....feeling good about this progress, continuing the PT, will progress the time slowly.
I'm back to full volume in all three sports, but only intensity so far is on the bike. My R elbow ("medial epicondylitis", or golfers elbow - opposite side from tennis elbow, actually the tendon baseball pitchers get replaced in Tommy John surgery) is almost pain free, and my presumed L hamstring tendonitis feels confined to occasional twinges in the gluteal area. I will wait until each is gone before returning to full throttle in the water or on the track.
Three months after hernia surgery, there are absolutely no after effects, complications or reminders.
So far, so good!
Doc said , No need for an MRI to confirm the fracture healing. Bones take 6 weeks. I have gone way past that....BTW I have had blood tests, calcium tests, a bone scan, will post results when I get them....I have also been tracking my calcium intake via myfitness pal since our conversation, On average I exceed the daily RDA for calcium by 10% per day with just my food (thinking with my size that must be like 200% of RDA for the average american), factor in the 1 a day vitamin that I normally take and I have plenty.. Just the same I added calcium supplement for the last 4-6 weeks anyway... My concern has been the small acetabular tear mentioned in the MRI report as I am convinced that is what I have been feeling in the groin area.... That have finally subsided with time and the PT..... YES it feels good but at the same time I am scared/worried to re-injure... Going oh so slow....My plan is to build up the minutes and then miles over the next 1-2 months and then add intensity... My first race is in JUNE so I have time but its the not knowing that is tough... Racing Eagleman and Sea to Summit in June, got accepted to the Casco Bay SwimRun in August, then IMMD in Oct... I cant keep signing up for stuff not knowing... I also wanted to get into UMFL for next year as I was denied this year (good thing too) they make the decision in April and just not sure I will feel good enough to commit to a 52 mile run next FEB (the entry fee is $1800)....
Tm - If my elbow and hip/hamstring were @ 50% race week in Kona, they are now both 95% and continuing to improve, even with the addition of actual training-like swim and run activities over the past 8 days. One of the things I used as a marker was what I could handle without pain doing wrist curls. When I started the serious elbow re-hab 6 weeks ago, that was only 5#; this past week, I can now do 20#, which is where I was before it all started about six months ago. Same thing with my hamstring: I am handling the same weight as I was before it happened. Before I added the weights, I was doing (am still doing) a bunch of body-weight/core work for the hip/hamstring: planks, bridges, side leg raises, clam-shells, side planks.
25-30 years ago this would have been healed within 3-6 weeks. Now, I guess I'm not shocked to see it take 3-6 MONTHS. Fair warning.
Your plans remind me of a conversation Cheryl and I had maybe 15 years ago, when I was just beginning this journey, and had been running for a few years. I observed that a lot of people I knew who were long-term runners were always complaining of the injuries they would get, and some were even having to give it up because of permanent damage. She wondered if that worried me. I said, "First of all, I never ran until I was 50 - maybe I have fresh legs to work with. And so what if I break down at some point - it's not like I'l have that much time after it happens to worry about it." I'm not so cavalier now. Even at 67, I can imagine another 15-20 years of wanting to ski and bike at least, if not do triathlons. And then there's simply walking, like this trek to Nepal we have coming up. I'd rather stay solid for the next two decades, than beat myself to a pulp chasing things which lead to breakdowns.
I had hip arthroscopy 5 February to repair a torn labrum and remove both a cam and pincer lesion that caused these. Recovery from that has been phenomenal. I was on the bike within 24 hour and am up to about 9 hours per week and adding load.
I also came out of last season with a kind of sports hernia - although the Doc hates that term. My lower abs are torn on both sides where they attach and there is a similar tearing in my left adductor where it attaches. I am getting that repaired March 9-10... took a long time to get into this Doc, but he is a superstar, so I expect that will go well.
For now - anything with any impact whatsoever is really not an option. I'm release to start on the elliptical and, together, with the bike, will try to build more strength before the next repair.
The comeback will start the afternoon of March 10th!
Good luck on the adductor. My abs/adductor was apparently brought on by the hip issue, or rather, continuing to run while having gait issues associated with the hip. With luck - we will back up to speed soon!