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Stephanie Weldon-micro

coach P-

Just diagnosed with posterior tibial tendon tear. No running at all. No biking, no stairmaster. No teaching classes. I can swim & 
Waterjog. 

Had an MRI & Doc says 6 weeks PT 2x week.  Using a brace and have script for heavy duty anti-inflammatory.   Platelet injection therapy a possibility.  Trying to avoid surgery.  Odd thing is that there's no pain right now and I've got good flexibility.  The feeling I can use it is there but hearing the doc talk surgery and crap makes me nervous.  

Damper on season.  Especially after getting accepted to Ultraman Florida.  

Sigh. Just letting you guys know.  Not sure what to do with myself except keep my chin up, keep a resilient attitude , follow docs orders, stay flexible with season and salvage what I can. I'm thinking/hoping since pain is minimal he'll clear me to bike.  When I get cleared to bike maybe do some aqua-bikes events.  

I'm a mess right now.  I know I do a lot but Ive really cut back.  Any guidance surely welcomed.  Thank you.



races/events in question:   Quassy/IMLP camp/IMLP

Steph 

Comments

  • @Stephanie Weldon -- Zoiks!!! Ok, first things first....you gotta rest like you are doing. It matters. 

    This typically happens from overuse or trauma...I assume overuse. But you have been resting for the better part of three weeks...that should hopefully help with the pain. That said, Strava doesn't tell me about your other stuff you are up to!

    It doesn't help that outside of training you...do lots of training like stuff!! It's a lot. 

    My Questions
    • Do you have flat feet by any chance? 
    • Is there a plan for long-term orthotics to help you with this issue? 
    • Have you ever done steroid shots in the foot / calf?
    • Are you able to cut back on other stuff while you recover? Or are you just not tri training?
    • If you show your cycling shoes (stiff, etc) and promise not to stand...can you cycle? Worth a shot maybe. 
    I say yes to the PRP if you can without too much cost..it can't hurt. 

    Short Term Actions
    • Right now quassy is out. Just do it...contact them and get a deferral. Don't even be tempted. 
    • Step one is getting recovery in place so you can start training the bike again. 
    • With placid looming, ideally you "get back" to decent swim/bike in 4 weeks (mid may) that will work. 
    • We can deal with the run.
    • UMFL isn't an issue right now...health is a top priority. 
    Let me know re the questions ^above^. 

    ~ Coach P
  • Hey ! thanks Coach P!   

    Im haven't done any outside teaching of group x for almost 2 weeks and basically I'm on a total sabbatical from my job at the gym.  Not sure if I really want to go back to all of that now.  I start official PT today and am having the PRP Monday.  

    Your questions:
    1.  No I don't have flat feet. The doc is worried that if I don't let the tendon heal completely then the arch in my foot will drop and damage will be greater.  I do have wide feet that tend to roll in.  

    2. I will ask about a long-term plan for orthotics.  Currently I wear a soft brace (as opposed to a boot) to stabilize my ankle.  Currently there's no pain in the ankle area.  Just some tightness that I think is just from waking up being old. I stretch and do some yoga poses to wake things up and get things moving. I have Rx for inflammation/pain but haven't used it all week.  

    3.  I have not done steroid injections before.  Will ask about that.  

    4.  I've cut out everything. No outside (gym) classes 2 weeks. I was on vacation over the Easter break and walked a good bit, rode a recumbent bike a few times easy, and swam in the ocean several times.  Seemed ok.  Was good for my spirits but but husband fussed at me not to overdo.  This was before the docs told me the MRI results and threw down the ultimatum to just chill. 

    Now that we are back home & since that visit I've just been swimming, doing upper body weights (seated), aquajogging (just shoot me), and core stuff.  

    5. Im definitely gonna try to bike light today because there's zero pain.  

    6.  I will call the Rev3 folks for deferral. 

    7.  I'm gonna stay positive and work on my swim.

    I'll keep you posted.  Thanks for the feedback.  Love all the pics on Instagram.   Happy belated Easter too!  
  • @Stephanie Weldon

    Thank for the info. There are apparently many potential causes of the issue, and so I wanted to cover them all. Sometimes it can even be oral steroids. But then again, you have been doing this for a long time so it could just be overuse.

    Your primary is right, if you don't take care of the snow the arch could drop which leads to further problems. So you're doing the right thing by resting.

    I think that you should at least consider the inflammatories. If your primary thinks they're worth it. Sometimes they can help speed up the recovery. That is 100% your call. 

    Swimming is good, I am also okay with you alternating awesome day with some upper body strength. Nothing to stop you from working on your shoulders back and chest. You can even do cable chops to work the abs. 

    Let me know about the bike and just keep up the regular updates!!!

    ~ Coach P
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