Update on my physio appointment (Read 774 times)

Sorry lads, no pics. Great appointment though. They put me through a series of tests to see how my leg was healing. Lot's of bouncing, hopping and jumping. Then I got kitted out in my running gear and they watched me run. Michelle (the head physio) spotted a problem straight away. My right ankle collapses inwards when I land. She said that this is going to always cause me issues as it is a biomechanical problem. This has caused my injury. There is some soft tissue trauma to the muscle/ligaments and an area of the tibia is damaged. She reckons that when I run the stess has caused the muscles to pull too hard against the bone. The bone has started to become injured and the tissues next to the bone have thickened and become inflamed. In her opinion I don't need a bone scan but I do need to be careful as my injury is the begining of a stress fracture. She steered away from the use of the word shin splint as she said it is an umbrella term that is not particularly helpful and has no place in diagnosis as they need to be much more specific. Now to the good bit. The solution. I have been given a referral to the Adidas Sport's Medicine Center http://www.sportsmed.net.nz/content.php?actionflag=view&id=2 where I will be referred to James Baxter - a Running Podiatrist and they will make me custom orthotics - a neutral one for my left foot and a custom one for my injured leg. Then I get a referral to a specialist shoe fitting clinic http://www.shoeclinic.co.nz/selecting-the-right-running-shoe.html to match the orthotics to a running shoe. They will video me running in my current shoes with the orthotics and then study it frame by frame to see if there will be any issues that need sorting. They will pick me new shoes that work best with the new orthotics. Here's the best bit though - the Podiatrist Assessment, the custom made orthotics and the video assessment at the shoe fitting clinic are all free! The only thing I have to pay for is new shoes if I need them! I love this country! Michelle reckons that if we can get me the orthotics in the next two weeks then we can start breaking them in by walking and hopefully have me doing some running drills soon. Then they will start me on a running program of every other day begining with 15 minutes on the flat and gradually increasing my distance over a month. She said to look to Lydiard for training schedules and that if I do it right, I will get to where I want to be. I have an answer to my problem and I get free orthotics. Coolio! Claire xxx

Sorry lads, no pics.

This is where Scout stopped reading

Claire, that's great news! ... and I LOVE your siggy line!

Great news Claire!

About Scout? Or the physio appointment?

Good news for you, Claire. The free stuff is nice. Lord only knows what I would have to pay to get any of that stuff. Of course, if it came down to it, I'm sure that I could get some of it covered by insurance. And for the record, the two of you can bite my skinny @$$.

Hmmm...you're a bitch. k

K, Yer killin' me!

Cheryl, Thanks for asking about me! I am finding this really hard. I've been off the roads for six weeks and my physio sayd absolutely no running until I get the orthotics and wear them in properly. My appointment for the orthotics assessment isn't until the 19th March. This is because I declined any earlier appointments with Baxter's staff as I wanted to go and see the best man for the job. Once I have the appointment I am guessing 2 weeks for the orthotics to be made (although I forgot to ask so I don't know this for sure), then I walk on them and have my appoinment for the shoe fitting at the clinic. I am hoping to be running again in early April. I haven't cross trained at all, my muscle mass has disappeared and I will be starting from scratch when I return. I am learning the art of patience. I almost caved yesterday, asking my husband if he thought I could start trying some short runs. As he so rightly pointed out 'Why the heck are you asking me?' - I guess I just wanted to ask someone that might say yes! My leg still hurts - I know I shouldn't run, it's quite hard not to though. I guess I should be appreciating both the fantastic treatment and advice that I am getting for free a little more. The physio that told me not to run is physiotherapist to many professional and elite athletes here in NZ. When she says it would be stupid to run - I must listen. I am going to see if they will let me have a digital copy of the biomechanical issue with my ankle that they are filming for the shoe fitting. It might be interesting for people on here to see what's happening and whether the solution works. Hope all the other 'on the bench'ers are well on their way to recovery. Claire xxx

Hi Claire, you have been on my mind and I really sympathize with you - you are doing the right thing by not running - "testing" your leg might delay your return to running - and no, don't ask me how I know!!! I had custom orthotics done by a PT who was a foot specialist, and it didn't really take me that long to get used to them. I think you are wise to wait for someone really knowledgeable to do them for you. What kind of exercises does your PT have you do between treatments? Sending healing vibes your way!