The official diagnosis of the foot that ails me (per a write-up by the Radiologist):
FINDINGS: The included osseous structures of the left foot reveal focal edema to plantar aspect of the cuboid with small incomplete fracture margin compatible with developing stress fracture. Adjacent lateral cuneiform surrounding the intact cuneocuboid ligament demonstrates mild edema without discrete fracture margin most compatible with stress reaction. There is no evidence of significant degenerative or inflammatory arthropathy. The flexor and extensor musculature and tendons of the dorsum and plantar foot are unremarkable without evidence of myositis or tenosynovitiis. (huh?)
(more simply stated)
IMPRESSION:
1) developing stress fracture of plantar aspect of cuboid
2) stress reaction of adjacent lateral cuneiform
So it's not the metatarsal as I'd initially thought. But I finally have a diagnosis. So now what? Well, this part is somewhat nebulous at the moment. The orthopedist I saw (not my first choice by the way), basically lectured me about the perils of running and suggested alternate aerobic activities (yes, yes - cycling, swimming, etc) with a meek qualifier of "I know you love running..." and "yeah, it's good to exercise but...". Ok, whatever man. Just let me know when I can get back to my self-destructive exercise again (see his thoughts in the article I posted a photo of). He proceeded to drop this gem (and I'm paraphrasing here), "...so for the next 6 months, lift, swim, cycling - whatever you need to do to..."
...wait, WHAT?? SIX months?!
He seemed a little baffled by my injury actually and told me to use the pain in my foot is the gauge, but he'd recommend taking a significant amount of time off from running to let it fully heal lest it fully fracture and break. OK, while semi-successful in scaring me shitless, I think I'm going to seek another opinion from a sports medicine doctor who can give me something more to work with and a clearer path to the road to recovery. I may also look into getting a walking boot to hopefully speed that time up too.
So that's the latest kids. On the shelf even longer until further notice. Remember when I tempted fate when I wrote this little diddy? Nice one Billy. Nice.
More cycling/boxing/swimming for me until further notice. I'll check back in when there's another update. But no running for me in the foreseeable future.
Damn.
30 comments:
Fuck getting injured dude. I feel for you man. I've been in the same boat for the last month. MRI tomorrow. Hang in there.
Dang, man. sorry about the foot. Six months? Six months? yeah, id get a second opinion as well.
Fuck fuck fuck duder. I'm really sorry to hear that my friend. Embrace the "alternate forms of fitness." Other than that, stay sane....Let's go riding again soon. I'll have my bike back next week. Sorry brother.
6 months? is he smoking crack! I had a stress fracture and I sure as hell wasn't off 6 months! Walking boot helps tremendously-especially if your foot hurts!!
Second opinion! I've gone to SMOG: Santa Monica Orthopedic Group and also Kerlan Jobe!
I vote with the others -- you need a second opinion!
sorry about the foot injury...
Sorry to hear about the news. Six months does seem a bit long, but doctors these days really need to cover themselves. Try to enjoy the other activities as much as possible.
siiiiix months?!? no thanks. 2nd, 3rd, 4th opinion please.
a few weeks, a couple months, ok. but six months? that's like what you'd need if your entire leg fell off.
glad you got the main diagnosis down but i just thought it was like 4-6 weeks for a fracture... big fat bummer dude.
k, this is why I never go see doctors. My right foot was hurting back in April in the same area. I just took time off and when I ran, I ran slower and would cut the run off before reaching the "pain zone". Anyways heal up soon! You have plenty of time to recover for the LA Marathon!
Are you kidding me? 6 months?! I was only off 6-8 weeks for a stress fracture in EACH shin area! Wow!
Man. What a bummer! Take care of yourself Billy. And go find that sports medicine specialist. They should be able to give you the real skinny regarding running.....
Damn. Sorry. 6 months is crazy though. Go see Dr. Pagliano in Long Beach. He is a runner (2:40 in his day). He will get you back to running as quickly and safely as possible. I have personal experience that can attest to that! He works with some pro runners. how many foot docs have trail running and ultra running mags in their office waiting room?
BOOOOO i do not like this news :( i would definitely go see another dr because six months is a LONG time! maybe you can find a dr who is also a runner... just because they might understand a bit more. gah good luck!
Dude, that sucks! I mean, a diagnosis is always good because there's no guessing games, but still. I'm sorry. :( Don't give up though! Heal fast!
I'm so sorry to hear about this, Billy!!! However, I do agree with you about getting a second opinion. I wouldn't like his attitude on running either and you definitely need more to work with during your healing process than just "don't run."
Good luck and keep me posted...sending you quick healing vibes, buddy!
Billy,
I'm sorry this happened to you. :( At least you can still do your other stuff but I know you love running like I love eating. I hope you feel better soon and can occupy your time with other good exercises. At least you are a happy cyclist.
Ouch. Sorry, dude. What a bummer. I'll send some healing vibes your way.
BUMMER!
Be careful with the healing process...I had a broken foot in college and didn't take care of it and I ended up with arthritis by age 20!
Hmmmmm maybe with all this cross training you'll jump on the Triathlon bandwagon next summer =).
Oh man - not the news you'd want to hear. At least it confirms a fracture as you had suspected. Now it's time to proceed with a treatment plan! I agree with getting a 2nd opinion with either an orthopedic doc with sports medicine experience or a family medicine doc with sports medicine (some complete fellowships in this area). Perhaps the 2nd opinion can provide insight on how to get back in your running shoes little more quickly and safely.
Sorry to hear about that. What a bummer. Just stay positive and time will pass quickly.
Hone
No need to say it sucks, but you know on the positive side, now you know what it is and you can start the road to recovery! Bike, swim, box a change is as good as a rest!
ugh, Billy ... once again I am so sorry. :( 6 months seems way too long--and not a good move on the doc's part to not take it a few weeks at a time. let's hit the bike and the pool and you can rant to me whenever you want since I know how much stress fractures suck.
cuboids cuneiforms calcaneus metatarsal--- brings me back some vivid memories of athletic training class in college! sorry to hear about your injury. Maybe 6 months is the worst case scenario? your body may possibly recover faster than a normal person would right? I would say just get routine check ups and follow up with different docs for another opinion
Billy - that's actually GOOD news, relatively speaking. No discrete fracture and no definitively seen stress fracture, all of which take longer to heal than a stress fx (what I had.)
Is your doc a sports med guy? 6 months is very conservative for a stress rxn. You will likely get different opinions from other docs, but I would anticipate at least 3 months, but not longer than 5.
But for sure, no marathons for the next 6 months.
I agree with Jessica DeLine -- Dr. Pagliano is one of the best. Sorry you have to deal with this setback. Not that it'll make you feel any better, but I've not run a step since crossing the finish line at the San Diego 100 in June. Compression neuropathy in both my big toes -- just waiting for it to go away. Hang in there, Billy.
Sucks! Sorry to hear this. I read it on FB earlier this week but don't think I've commented. I know running is your passion and I know you will miss this, but you have other skills to develop and I bet you'll see some good come of this. Hang in there and don't forget about us in blogland just because you're not running! We want to hear what you are up to. :) BTW, cool photo at the end there.
Billy, I've followed your blog for years but never posted. I am also in LA, got into running around the same time you did (for a similar assortment of personal reasons), and have always enjoyed following your and your friends' running exploits. I haven't done quite as many races as you but I've done a bunch over the past 18 months and know exactly what it is like to be bitten by the running bug. (10K PR is 43 min, 5K PR at 21 min)
Hang in there, brother. A stress fracture isn't the end of the world, and trust me when I tell you it will heal in a hell of a lot less time than six months. You'd rather have a bone issue than a soft tissue/tendon/ligament injury. Given your age/health profile, you are probably looking at 12-16 weeks to heal fully -- and you've already been out for a couple of months. Definitely get yourself to a sports medicine guy WHO RUNS and also find a good sports PT here in LA to give you a rehab program. Right now I am dealing with an incredibly irritating case of Achilles tendonosis that has put me down for 8-12 weeks -- my longest injury ever -- so I am also going OUT OF MY MIND without running trying to keep busy/fit with swimming, cycling, lifting etc. But it isn't the same. A fellow runner said to me one time, "Running is a cruel mistress." That she is. This whole process has taught me I need to back off some in order to run injury-free. It really is a marathon, not a sprint (pun intended) so slower and steadier will make us faster and stronger.
At least, that's what I tell myself on minute 63 on the stupid stationary trainer.
Wow, I am so sorry, Billy. I read all the other comments and it sound slike you are working with the best so I truly hope you are back up and running in no time.
That pic makes me so sad :( SO sorry this happened Billy...I'd definitely get another opinion especially since this doc is very anti-running in general. Sending healing thoughts your way!
Sounds like your going to come back strong!
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