I've been to 5+ chiropractors in my prior days . I know some chiropractors only focus on certain areas, such as only the neck or only the spine, but now there are some that are so much more.
My current chiropractor, Dr Jon King (http://www.scomacu.com/page2.html) is also very knowledgeable in sports therapy and physical therapy. If you have a chance to test out a few, 'shop around' for a multi-functional Chiro.
I was going to a PT for an ongoing shoulder issue. I knew it was muscle / joint related so I went to a PT, I didn't think a Chiro would be interested in muscles. On my right arm, certain movements would always illicit pain where the deltoid attaches to the bicep area. I spent about 3 months at physical therapy with electric simulator pads on my arm, massages, stretches and exercises. My arm got marginally better. It still hurt and I still didn't feel like the root of the issue was solved. I gave up and felt I would just have to live with this nagging pain. I tried lots of stretching and yoga, but the pain never went away.
Midway through 2013 I was having a issue with my right hip. I felt that one hip was higher than the other. Again, I thought it would go away over time, or get better with stretching and yoga, but it kept getting worse. Eventually around Oct 2013, I could not even sleep because the pain kept me up and I decided.. "hmm this is probably a 'bone' issue, so I'll go to a chiropractor". What happened was that the back muscles are so tight, they're pulling the hip up so one side is higher than the other. While my Chiro is working on realigning my hips and all these muscle problems, (which have improved greatly in the 2-3 months), I mentioned to him about my nagging arm issue.
After a few 'tests' he narrowed down that the problem area was a scapular and sub-scapular muscle. Its surprising that a back muscle would be causing the front of my arm to feel pain. He pressed into the very very tender area of the scapular muscles (if you haven't felt it, its a Very uncomfortable area to be pressed). I was laughing because seriously I delirious with pain. After beating me up, that night I was able to move my arm and NOT feel any pain. It was amazing! After 1 visit my arm is significantly better (70% better) compared to 3 months of physical therapy (15% better).
I can understand why PT had such poor results because he only focused on the area of pain, the arm, but the root of the issue was my back. My Chrio said that the scapular muscle is commonly injured when a person sleeps on their side with their hand tucked under their head (which is how I sleep practically every night).
I'm super happy to have the range of motion in my right arm again!
Showing posts with label Injuries. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Injuries. Show all posts
Thursday, January 2, 2014
Wednesday, June 6, 2012
Ruptured Achilles Tendon - Physical Therapy Session 2
So far, for the next month, Kevin will got o PT 3 times a week, MWF.
Today, Kevin had a 5 min warm up on a station bike (the ones where the chair leans back). Then Aaron (the PT) did a massage to the injured leg, really rubbing into the thickened tendon.
(I get foot massages often, but I always hate when the masseur touches my Achilles, It scares me that they will snap it or injure it. So, watching Aaron rub the crap out of Kevin's Achilles, I had to hold back the squirms)
Session #2-
2x10 - Seated Toe lifts
2x10 - Seated upright, foot inversion (foot toward the center of the body), eversion (foot away from the body), plantar (point down) and doris flexion (point up - toes to the nose) with a light resistance band.
* New - 2x10 - eccentric Doris flexion with a band.
Today, Kevin had a 5 min warm up on a station bike (the ones where the chair leans back). Then Aaron (the PT) did a massage to the injured leg, really rubbing into the thickened tendon.
(I get foot massages often, but I always hate when the masseur touches my Achilles, It scares me that they will snap it or injure it. So, watching Aaron rub the crap out of Kevin's Achilles, I had to hold back the squirms)
Session #2-
2x10 - Seated Toe lifts
2x10 - Seated upright, foot inversion (foot toward the center of the body), eversion (foot away from the body), plantar (point down) and doris flexion (point up - toes to the nose) with a light resistance band.
* New - 2x10 - eccentric Doris flexion with a band.
- In a seated position, point toes downwards (plantar flexion) with a light resistance band over the toes, and pull the band tight. Then Slowly bring foot towards neutral position, using the calf muscle to fight the resistance of the band.
2x10 - Wood peckers
- Standing about 6 inches facing the wall, slowly lean towards the wall til your nose almost touches the wall, then slowly lean back.
2x30 seconds standing on 1 leg.
2x10 heel raises while gently putting pressure on injured leg to come down.
2x10 Clams
2x10 leg lifts
2x10 side step with medium resistant band.
Tuesday, June 5, 2012
The Gout Attack
I'm not a newbie to gout, I've had it ever since I was in my teens.. the pain in your big toe.. it would come for a day or so, and then go.
So for the past few months, I've been having a sharp stabbing pain on the top of my right wrist.
I know its a ganglion cyst, (which I named "my lumpy") forming because I have one on my left wrist and went through about 2-3 years of pain. For my left wrist, I removed the cyst several times, but "My Lumpy" would always come back, and hurt more.. However, I started to realize when the lump was there, the pain was gone, and when the lump was gone, pain would return. So I learned to live with the lump if it would mean I would have no pain.
My doc said that because of the lump, the extra fluid has an area to escape, and not press on the nerve = no pain.
Now the same thing is happening to my right wrist. However, I can't ignore it. Being right handed, I can't go 2-3 years with pain. I am unable to carry things, and do certain movements. I can't flex or extend my hand in a 90 degree angle. (My workouts are suffering because I can't do burpees or pushups). If I fell on the ground, I can't even push myself up. Stupid right hand..
So I finally went to see an orthopedic surgeon, hoping that he could just do some magic surgery to make everything all better.
But his diagnosis was something much worse.. He said.. GOUT..
and what makes gout even worse, the remedy..... RESTRICTIVE DIET!
He said the build up of fluid, is getting trapped on the top of my wrist, and pressing on the nerves = pain.
So... reduce fluid = reduce pain..
I love meats, and seafood (purine heavy foods). To greatly reduce it, really sucks. :(
I've started to do some research, and a new theory, is that gout, isn't caused by the purines in food we eat, but instead by glucose and insulin = sugar and carbs.. AHH my other 2 favorite things..
I actually do believe the sugar and carbs would have a greater effect than just purine only in meats and seafood.. I'm still researching, but somehow it just seems to makes more sense than just purines alone. But I'll let you know what I find out, and what I end up doing.
So.. what will I eat now? :(
The doc said a restrictive diet for 2-3 months to reduce the pain.
I'm a sad panda..
So for the past few months, I've been having a sharp stabbing pain on the top of my right wrist.
I know its a ganglion cyst, (which I named "my lumpy") forming because I have one on my left wrist and went through about 2-3 years of pain. For my left wrist, I removed the cyst several times, but "My Lumpy" would always come back, and hurt more.. However, I started to realize when the lump was there, the pain was gone, and when the lump was gone, pain would return. So I learned to live with the lump if it would mean I would have no pain.
My doc said that because of the lump, the extra fluid has an area to escape, and not press on the nerve = no pain.
Now the same thing is happening to my right wrist. However, I can't ignore it. Being right handed, I can't go 2-3 years with pain. I am unable to carry things, and do certain movements. I can't flex or extend my hand in a 90 degree angle. (My workouts are suffering because I can't do burpees or pushups). If I fell on the ground, I can't even push myself up. Stupid right hand..
So I finally went to see an orthopedic surgeon, hoping that he could just do some magic surgery to make everything all better.
But his diagnosis was something much worse.. He said.. GOUT..
and what makes gout even worse, the remedy..... RESTRICTIVE DIET!
He said the build up of fluid, is getting trapped on the top of my wrist, and pressing on the nerves = pain.
So... reduce fluid = reduce pain..
I love meats, and seafood (purine heavy foods). To greatly reduce it, really sucks. :(
I've started to do some research, and a new theory, is that gout, isn't caused by the purines in food we eat, but instead by glucose and insulin = sugar and carbs.. AHH my other 2 favorite things..
I actually do believe the sugar and carbs would have a greater effect than just purine only in meats and seafood.. I'm still researching, but somehow it just seems to makes more sense than just purines alone. But I'll let you know what I find out, and what I end up doing.
So.. what will I eat now? :(
The doc said a restrictive diet for 2-3 months to reduce the pain.
I'm a sad panda..
Monday, June 4, 2012
Ruptured Achilles Tendon - Physical Therapy Day 1
First Day of Physical Therapy!
The Therapist, Aaron, did a 20 min evaluation on Kevin. Kevin has really flat feet, so he wants to work on the Tibialis Posterior muscle, to help give more support to the arch, and pretty much all his leg and hip muscles. The stronger his leg muscles are, the less his Calves will need to do the work = less work for the Achilles.
1 bad thing is that since Kevin wasn't wearing his boot (and immobilizing the heel) his heel is a little "over stretched". so the therapist will need to correct it. Oops.
Session 1:
Stretch the calf with foam roller
2x10 windshield wipers
The Therapist, Aaron, did a 20 min evaluation on Kevin. Kevin has really flat feet, so he wants to work on the Tibialis Posterior muscle, to help give more support to the arch, and pretty much all his leg and hip muscles. The stronger his leg muscles are, the less his Calves will need to do the work = less work for the Achilles.
1 bad thing is that since Kevin wasn't wearing his boot (and immobilizing the heel) his heel is a little "over stretched". so the therapist will need to correct it. Oops.
Session 1:
Stretch the calf with foam roller
2x10 windshield wipers
- in a seated position with knees @ 90 degrees, swipe the feet left to right, keeping the leg stabilized and the ball of the foot and heel touching the ground.
Foot Movements with the band for resistance.
2x10 - Point/roll foot inwards
2x10 - Point/roll foot outwards
2x10 - Dorsiflexion (point toes toward nose)
2x10 - Plantarflexsion (point toes toward ground)
2x30seconds Balance on 1 leg
2x10 - Clam shells
- laying on your side, with your hips aligned, bend knees to 90 degrees. Turn top knee towards to ceiling, so your legs look like an open clam.
2x10 - leg lifts
- laying on your side with your hips aligned and legs straight, lift top leg up to the ceiling.
Wednesday, May 30, 2012
Ruptured Achilles Tendon - Day 95 Post Op Day 83
Now the Days are coming close to the double digits which makes it a little hard to calculate.. So weeks are a little easier to grasp.
Weeks since :
Injury - 14
Operation - 12
So since the operation, Kevin was in a cast for 6 week and a walking boot for 6 weeks.
and Now finally he has a Physical Therapy Prescription!
Normally it shouldn't take so long to get a PT prescription, but Dr Smith wanted to be more conservative and let the tendon heal longer to avoid re-rupture, or over stretching.
Kevin only wore the walking boot religiously for the first 2 days. Then he wore it on and off, and gradually more off than on. Pretty much by the 2nd week, he was hardly ever wearing the walking boot. He felt to no pain, and it seemed better for him to actually get some movement in his leg sooner rather than later.
Since Kevin got his boot, we were researching nearby PT facilities. Luckily we have the option of picking with a PPO.
We interviewed 2 offices, where all the therapists had a DPT from USC. Since Kevin has been walking pretty well without his boot for the last 4 weeks, when we walked into the PT office, the PT actually didn't even know what was wrong with him. I feel that's a good sign, that his PT will go faster and smoother than anticipated.
Office #1 only had 1 therapist. It was closer, about a 5 min drive, but a smaller facility. When we walked in around 2pm, the sign in sheet was already 3/4 full, which shows he must be good, and very busy. Also he is open Monday - Saturday. The Saturday option is appealing in case we get busy during the work week.
Office #2 had a group of therapists, about 5 or more. It was a bit farther, about a 15 min drive, but still pretty close by to us. The facility was much larger, with lots of fancy new equipment. The downside of this facility is that since there are so many therapists, and so many different clients, it will get busy or crowded during peak hours. Also, even though the office is open Mon - Fri, the main therapists are only there M, W, F, which puts a damper if you have a busy schedule.
We ended up picking office #2. Kevin has a tendency to dislike certain qualities of trainers, having the option to change, was appealing to him. Since there are different therapists there, Kevin would have the option of changing therapist. Whereas office #1, he would be stuck with the same guy through the whole process.
His first evaluation will be on Monday. Excited to see his first session.
Weeks since :
Injury - 14
Operation - 12
So since the operation, Kevin was in a cast for 6 week and a walking boot for 6 weeks.
and Now finally he has a Physical Therapy Prescription!
Normally it shouldn't take so long to get a PT prescription, but Dr Smith wanted to be more conservative and let the tendon heal longer to avoid re-rupture, or over stretching.
Kevin only wore the walking boot religiously for the first 2 days. Then he wore it on and off, and gradually more off than on. Pretty much by the 2nd week, he was hardly ever wearing the walking boot. He felt to no pain, and it seemed better for him to actually get some movement in his leg sooner rather than later.
Since Kevin got his boot, we were researching nearby PT facilities. Luckily we have the option of picking with a PPO.
We interviewed 2 offices, where all the therapists had a DPT from USC. Since Kevin has been walking pretty well without his boot for the last 4 weeks, when we walked into the PT office, the PT actually didn't even know what was wrong with him. I feel that's a good sign, that his PT will go faster and smoother than anticipated.
Office #1 only had 1 therapist. It was closer, about a 5 min drive, but a smaller facility. When we walked in around 2pm, the sign in sheet was already 3/4 full, which shows he must be good, and very busy. Also he is open Monday - Saturday. The Saturday option is appealing in case we get busy during the work week.
Office #2 had a group of therapists, about 5 or more. It was a bit farther, about a 15 min drive, but still pretty close by to us. The facility was much larger, with lots of fancy new equipment. The downside of this facility is that since there are so many therapists, and so many different clients, it will get busy or crowded during peak hours. Also, even though the office is open Mon - Fri, the main therapists are only there M, W, F, which puts a damper if you have a busy schedule.
We ended up picking office #2. Kevin has a tendency to dislike certain qualities of trainers, having the option to change, was appealing to him. Since there are different therapists there, Kevin would have the option of changing therapist. Whereas office #1, he would be stuck with the same guy through the whole process.
His first evaluation will be on Monday. Excited to see his first session.
Wednesday, April 18, 2012
Ruptured Achilles Tendon - Day 53, Post Op Day 41
Good Bye Cast!!
Its been about 8 weeks since "the incident" and 6 weeks since the surgery. Today Kevin gets to lose the cast, and get his walking boot. Very excited to no longer need crutches.
BYE CAST!!
Its been about 8 weeks since "the incident" and 6 weeks since the surgery. Today Kevin gets to lose the cast, and get his walking boot. Very excited to no longer need crutches.
BYE CAST!!
Leg Atrophy.
Hello Walking Boot!!
fyi - its the same one that Kobe is wearing, so Kevin feels really cool. hahah
There's a knob where you can inflate and deflate the boot. The silver bump is where you can "pump" up the boot. (just like those old pump basketball shoes)
And after 8 weeks .. Kevin is WALKING!!!
YAY!!!!!
Wednesday, April 4, 2012
Ruptured Achilles Tendon - Day 39 Post Op Day 27
Its been 6 weeks since the "incident" and about 4 weeks since Surgery.
We got some 'good' news. The Doctor was aiming for 8 weeks in a cast, but we may be able to cut it down to 6 weeks (so 2 more weeks of a cast). Kevin was able to move a his foot from a 40 degree angle to about 80-85 degrees right now. Originally, the doctor thought Kevin would only be able to move it to 60 degrees, but with his progress, hopefully in 2 weeks Kevin can go into a Boot and start weight bearing.
I didn't think his leg would atrophy so much in just 6 weeks, but it did. His left leg is probably about 20-30% thinner now.
I wasn't able to get a good shot because I didn't want to disrupt Dr. Smith working. Also Dr. Smith has been really nice letting me get lots of photos in, and pausing so I can take photos. He must think I am one of those a crazy tourist that photograph everything.
Kevin looking happy to get a new cast.
Dr. Smith and The Saw that is going to cut off the cast. As creepy as it looks and sounds, it was actually safe to touch the moving blade.
The Wound is healing well.
Leg comparison. I wasn't able to get the legs side by side, next time. I'm sure in 2 weeks it will shrink even more. You can see how beefy his right leg is, and how smooth and delicate the left one looks. hehe
Kevin's foot is placed on a contraption that allows him to bend his foot so Dr. Smith can recast him in that position.
Almost at 90 degrees :)
Recasted.
We also asked Dr. Smith to lower the cast, so its not so high up on his calf to make things a little more comfortable.
The Skin on Kevin's leg that was covered by the cast was by far the Grossest part for me!
I don't mind looking at the wound, or pus, etc, but 6 weeks of skin not being able to shed by itself, left for Nasty-Flakey-Fish Scale looking skin. Thinking about it makes me want to vomit profusely. I made Kevin scrub the skin off. Begrudgingly, he did to stop me from shrieking and scaring the dog. lol. and NO I don't have a photo of the skin.
Cast comparison
Friday, March 23, 2012
Ruptured Achilles Tendon - Day 26 - Post Op Day 16
Walking in crutches isn't easy, so Kevin asked Dr. Smith to prescribe him a knee walker. Its looks like a scooter where you rest your knee on.
However, Aetna wouldn't cover it if you are capable of using crutches. Incapable would mean you only have 1 arm and can't use crutches.
Stupid Aetna.
Luckily, you can RENT these things by the month. Kevin found a knee walker for $75/month. Its a good investment, and now Kevin can help me walk the dog :-D
However, Aetna wouldn't cover it if you are capable of using crutches. Incapable would mean you only have 1 arm and can't use crutches.
Stupid Aetna.
Luckily, you can RENT these things by the month. Kevin found a knee walker for $75/month. Its a good investment, and now Kevin can help me walk the dog :-D
Wednesday, March 21, 2012
Ruptured Achilles Tendon - Day 24, Post Op Day 12
Staple Removal Day!!
Today Kevin gets his staples removed and getting rid of the splint. It was uncomfortable, loose, and didn't offer much support on the sides. Kevin was very uncomfortable in the splint.
I'm surprised he was in a splint for so long, and not a hard cast right away.
We were hoping for good news, but due to the degree of "shredding" of his Tendon, he has to be in the hard cast longer than normal. Kinda Sucks. Dr. Smith thinks he'll have to be in a hard cast for at least 6 weeks.
Right now, Kevin will be in a plantar flexion position (about a +30-45 degree angle) for 2 weeks. Then the following 2 weeks he'll slowly move the foot toward neutral position, probably 60 degrees. Then the next 2 weeks into a neutral at 90 degrees. Then Kevin will be able to wear a walking boot and be able to start weight bearing. After, another few weeks in the boot, Kevin will be able to start Physical Therapy.
I was hoping he could start earlier, so thus be closer to walking again. The longer PT gets pushed out, the longer it will be to regain movement. :(
I've studied other Achilles ruptures, and those patients were able to begin PT around 4 weeks after surgery, or as soon as the cast came off, but Kevin probably wont be able to start PT til 8-10 weeks after surgery. :(
Good bye splint!
Ew Staples..
Ew Removing Staples
Removing Staples
Bye Staples
Lots of swelling
Hello Hard Cast.
Today Kevin gets his staples removed and getting rid of the splint. It was uncomfortable, loose, and didn't offer much support on the sides. Kevin was very uncomfortable in the splint.
I'm surprised he was in a splint for so long, and not a hard cast right away.
We were hoping for good news, but due to the degree of "shredding" of his Tendon, he has to be in the hard cast longer than normal. Kinda Sucks. Dr. Smith thinks he'll have to be in a hard cast for at least 6 weeks.
Right now, Kevin will be in a plantar flexion position (about a +30-45 degree angle) for 2 weeks. Then the following 2 weeks he'll slowly move the foot toward neutral position, probably 60 degrees. Then the next 2 weeks into a neutral at 90 degrees. Then Kevin will be able to wear a walking boot and be able to start weight bearing. After, another few weeks in the boot, Kevin will be able to start Physical Therapy.
I was hoping he could start earlier, so thus be closer to walking again. The longer PT gets pushed out, the longer it will be to regain movement. :(
I've studied other Achilles ruptures, and those patients were able to begin PT around 4 weeks after surgery, or as soon as the cast came off, but Kevin probably wont be able to start PT til 8-10 weeks after surgery. :(
Good bye splint!
Ew Staples..
Ew Removing Staples
Removing Staples
Bye Staples
Lots of swelling
Hello Hard Cast.
Monday, March 12, 2012
Ruptured Achilles Tendon - Day 16 - Post Op Day 4
Today was the first Post Op follow-up at Dr. Smiths.
He took off the splint to see if the wound was healing well and to check for infection. So far the wound looks good and he will be able to take off the staples in 9 days.
Dr. Smith said most Achilles Tendon Ruptures will have a full distinct tear where he would sew the 2 ends together, but Kevin's tendon was "very" shredded so he had to sew it a different way, encircling and gathering the frayed tendon ends together to bunch it back up. Ew.. no wonder the tendon tore.. I can only image what the right leg looks like.. I fear its in a similar condition, and if so, preventative measures should be taken, asap.
~12 cm incision.
Swollen
Staples
Staples
Friday, March 9, 2012
Ruptured Achilles Tendon - Day 13 - Surgery Day
Surgery Day!
Instructions prior to surgery:
Fasting starting Thursday @ midnight, or Friday @ 12:00am, no food or water.
Also to not wear contact lenses during the surgery, in case the lenses dry out and scratch the eyes.
We were instructed to arrive at the surgery center at 1030am, 1 hour prior to surgery to fill out paper work. Paper work took about 10 seconds. Kevin was finally called in to change around noon. The nurses asked him what he was allergic to, and set up the IV. A little after 12:30, the doctor was ready, and Kevin was rolled away into the surgery room.
I left and the nurses said they would call me 20-30 mins prior to when Kevin was ready to be picked up.
While we were in the waiting room we joked at what Kevin was going to eat and stuff ourselves with afterwards because the fasting had him hungry and thirsty.
Kevin said he woke up around 2:45 from the anesthesia. But he was just very tired and uncomfortable. He had an appetite, but he wanted to lay down and rest more than eat.
His leg is wrapped up in a splint instead of a full cast. I wonder if that is better?
Photos:
In the waiting room
Initialing the leg by Kevin and his Doctor to make sure they operate on the correct leg.
Grump Kevin afterwards.
Instructions prior to surgery:
Fasting starting Thursday @ midnight, or Friday @ 12:00am, no food or water.
Also to not wear contact lenses during the surgery, in case the lenses dry out and scratch the eyes.
We were instructed to arrive at the surgery center at 1030am, 1 hour prior to surgery to fill out paper work. Paper work took about 10 seconds. Kevin was finally called in to change around noon. The nurses asked him what he was allergic to, and set up the IV. A little after 12:30, the doctor was ready, and Kevin was rolled away into the surgery room.
I left and the nurses said they would call me 20-30 mins prior to when Kevin was ready to be picked up.
While we were in the waiting room we joked at what Kevin was going to eat and stuff ourselves with afterwards because the fasting had him hungry and thirsty.
Kevin said he woke up around 2:45 from the anesthesia. But he was just very tired and uncomfortable. He had an appetite, but he wanted to lay down and rest more than eat.
His leg is wrapped up in a splint instead of a full cast. I wonder if that is better?
Photos:
In the waiting room
Initialing the leg by Kevin and his Doctor to make sure they operate on the correct leg.
Grump Kevin afterwards.
Wednesday, March 7, 2012
Ruptured Achilles Tendon - Day 11
2 more days until surgery (Friday). Its a love/hate situation because the sooner you get surgery, the sooner you can start healing. But the sooner you get surgery, the sooner things are gonna SUCK even more. At least now, before surgery, Kevin still has some mobility and tolerable pain, but after surgery, it will be no mobility and lots of pain.
I was hoping he would have had surgery within a week of the incident, but with the doctor we went with, and all the hassel we had to go through with the insurance company, it seemed better to stick with the original doctor, since they were there from the beginning. Aetna, the insurance company, really wants to make sure that you are as injured as the doctor and hospital say you are. (idiots)
Yesterday Kevin got his blood work done. The doctor said they need to do a red blood cell count 3 days before they can do surgery to make sure he wont bleed to death, etc.
Today Kevin said this is the most pain he's felt since the beginning. Its a dull achy feeling along the tendon and up the leg. I suspect the pain is from the swelling, and atrophy of the muscles.
The best we can do is elevated and ice it. 2 more days..
I was hoping he would have had surgery within a week of the incident, but with the doctor we went with, and all the hassel we had to go through with the insurance company, it seemed better to stick with the original doctor, since they were there from the beginning. Aetna, the insurance company, really wants to make sure that you are as injured as the doctor and hospital say you are. (idiots)
Yesterday Kevin got his blood work done. The doctor said they need to do a red blood cell count 3 days before they can do surgery to make sure he wont bleed to death, etc.
Today Kevin said this is the most pain he's felt since the beginning. Its a dull achy feeling along the tendon and up the leg. I suspect the pain is from the swelling, and atrophy of the muscles.
The best we can do is elevated and ice it. 2 more days..
Monday, March 5, 2012
Rupture Achilles Tendon - Day 9
Today was Kevin's followup with Dr. Smith, the orthopedic surgeon, to evaluate the MRI results.
Dr. Smith confirmed that the tendon had a 4 cm tear. EW!
Surgery is schedule for Friday. In the meantime, Kevin needs to have a physical with blood work to confirm he is healthy enough for surgery.
The surgery should last 1.5 hours and the doctor will make an 8cm incision. Afterwards, Kevin should be in a cast for 3 weeks, and a boot for and additional 3 weeks. After that Dr. Smith will check on Kevin's progress to see if he can start physical therapy. If things go well, Kevin may even be able to start physical therapy sooner, but Dr. Smith thinks its best to wait about 6 weeks after the surgery to start PT.
So far his leg is pretty much the same as it has been for the past few days. It does get pretty swollen when it is not elevated. The most pain he feels is when he has to stand up and all the blood rushes down to his foot. But overall, he says it just feels uncomfortable.
Dr. Smith confirmed that the tendon had a 4 cm tear. EW!
Surgery is schedule for Friday. In the meantime, Kevin needs to have a physical with blood work to confirm he is healthy enough for surgery.
The surgery should last 1.5 hours and the doctor will make an 8cm incision. Afterwards, Kevin should be in a cast for 3 weeks, and a boot for and additional 3 weeks. After that Dr. Smith will check on Kevin's progress to see if he can start physical therapy. If things go well, Kevin may even be able to start physical therapy sooner, but Dr. Smith thinks its best to wait about 6 weeks after the surgery to start PT.
So far his leg is pretty much the same as it has been for the past few days. It does get pretty swollen when it is not elevated. The most pain he feels is when he has to stand up and all the blood rushes down to his foot. But overall, he says it just feels uncomfortable.
Thursday, March 1, 2012
Ruptured Achilles Tendon - Day 4
Today we were able to pick up the CD with the MRI images.
I don't know how to really "read" them (yet), but these were the images that I thought showed some pretty gnarly stuff.
Kevin still wanted to cook dinner, but standing in the kitchen really causes his foot to swell a lot..
But on the brighter side, the skirt steak he cooked tasted really, really good. hehe
Right foot - unaffected foot, notice the distinct curvature from the malleolus (the boney part that sticks out on the ankle) to his foot.
Left foot: Notice there is No curvature on this foot from the swelling.
MRI images:
Now I don't know exactly what I'm looking at, but these seemed pretty gnarly.
I call this the "curly pig tail!"
I don't know how to really "read" them (yet), but these were the images that I thought showed some pretty gnarly stuff.
Kevin still wanted to cook dinner, but standing in the kitchen really causes his foot to swell a lot..
But on the brighter side, the skirt steak he cooked tasted really, really good. hehe
Right foot - unaffected foot, notice the distinct curvature from the malleolus (the boney part that sticks out on the ankle) to his foot.
Left foot: Notice there is No curvature on this foot from the swelling.
MRI images:
Now I don't know exactly what I'm looking at, but these seemed pretty gnarly.
I call this the "curly pig tail!"
I call this the "dark abyss"
I call this the "crackers"
Wednesday, February 29, 2012
Ruptured Achilles Tendon - Day 3
Good News: 1 day later - Aetna approved the MRI (like they should)
Bad News: the MRI company gave away our Wednesday morning time spot to someone else, so we were able to get an appointment Wednesday at 430p. However, that means Kevin would have to drive himself to the appointment.
He's able to drive, since it was his left Achilles that ruptured, but it is pretty cumbersome for him to get around.
He was standing longer than he should and the blood started to pool at the foot. When he took off his splint the foot was pretty swollen and bruised.
Later that night he slept with his foot elevated which helped reduce the swelling.
Bruising on both sides of the foot :(
Bad News: the MRI company gave away our Wednesday morning time spot to someone else, so we were able to get an appointment Wednesday at 430p. However, that means Kevin would have to drive himself to the appointment.
He's able to drive, since it was his left Achilles that ruptured, but it is pretty cumbersome for him to get around.
He was standing longer than he should and the blood started to pool at the foot. When he took off his splint the foot was pretty swollen and bruised.
Later that night he slept with his foot elevated which helped reduce the swelling.
Bruising on both sides of the foot :(
Monday, February 27, 2012
Ruptured Achilles Tendon - Day 2
So first thing Monday morning, I called and we were able to get an appointment Monday afternoon with the orthopedic surgeon. Terrific :)
Dr. Smith performed a few special tests and felt that it is a full tear, but he wanted an MRI to confirm. However my PPO Aetna insurance company was being very difficult. It was seriously a 2+ hour ordeal just to schedule an MRI.
(I have had an MRI before under my other insurance, United Health Care, and it was so easy to obtain an MRI the same or next day. Not Aetna)
The MRI office wanted an approval code from our doctor, which the doctor would need to obtain from Aetna,. However, Aetna needed a procedure code from the MRI company to give the approval code. But the MRI company wouldn't give the code without the doctor's tax ID number. But the doctor didn't know his tax ID number, because he works for the hospital. So, the doctor had to call the very unresponsive hospital admin to give the tax-id number. FINALLY, everyone had all the #'s they needed. Then Aetna had to ask a billion questions to the doctor, "Whats his range of motion? Is this a prior injury? etc" Finally, they said it would take 1-2 days to give the approval for an MRI.
WHAT?!
Honestly, the doctor says it needs surgery, and you (the insurance company) need to approve an MRI? WTF?
Kevin said he felt the pain was more manageable. At least it wasn't getting worse. He doesn't use his crutches much around the house and doesn't elevate his leg as much as he should.
(I have had an MRI before under my other insurance, United Health Care, and it was so easy to obtain an MRI the same or next day. Not Aetna)
The MRI office wanted an approval code from our doctor, which the doctor would need to obtain from Aetna,. However, Aetna needed a procedure code from the MRI company to give the approval code. But the MRI company wouldn't give the code without the doctor's tax ID number. But the doctor didn't know his tax ID number, because he works for the hospital. So, the doctor had to call the very unresponsive hospital admin to give the tax-id number. FINALLY, everyone had all the #'s they needed. Then Aetna had to ask a billion questions to the doctor, "Whats his range of motion? Is this a prior injury? etc" Finally, they said it would take 1-2 days to give the approval for an MRI.
WHAT?!
Honestly, the doctor says it needs surgery, and you (the insurance company) need to approve an MRI? WTF?
Kevin said he felt the pain was more manageable. At least it wasn't getting worse. He doesn't use his crutches much around the house and doesn't elevate his leg as much as he should.
Sunday, February 26, 2012
Ruptured Achilles Tendon - The Beginning.
One of my greatest fears, a ruptured Achilles tendon, has hit close to home.
He hopped off court, put an ankle brace on and elevated his foot.
When he got home, he told me what he did, and as a person studying physical therapy, I ran some special tests on him and the results didn't look good. Looking at the leg, it was swollen with a visible depression where the tendon should be. The Thompson test showed that his foot didn't move. He was unable to perform toe raises or any type of weight bearing, which again showed positive for a ruptured Achilles.
Since it was Sunday, and my orthopedic wasn't open, I wasn't sure where to take him. I called Urgent care and they said my b/f would need to go to the Hospital.
So we headed to the nearest hospital around noon, and we didn't leave the hospital until after 5pm. It was a long visit. The doctor thought it was a partial tear and not a full tear because Kevin was able to put his foot into plantar flexion, (pointing down), but he was reluctant to say for sure. So he said we had to call the orthopedic surgeon on Monday and schedule an appointment. He wrapped up Kevin's left leg in a splint, and sent us home.
Since Kevin is allergic to acetaminophen, its limited to what type of pain meds he can take, so he opted to not take any. He said the pain wasn't too bad to just tough if out.
Right leg - Unaffected leg
See the nice curvature of the Achilles tendon
Left Leg - Ruptured Achilles
Right leg - Unaffected leg
See the nice curvature of the Achilles tendon
Left Leg - Ruptured Achilles
Tuesday, February 15, 2011
Peroneal Tendon Injuries
What is that?
About a month ago, I started getting a really bad pain on the outer side of my foot, and near the bottom of my foot. It would happen a few hours after a long run. It feels similar to the pain felt with a stress fracture, except the only difference is that this pain will fade away, and a stress fracture wont.
It would prevent me from even walking. It was a very sharp Stabbing type of pain, mixed in with a deep cramp. It would go away after a day, so I didn't think much of it. Then it happened again and again.
I found out my Peroneal Tendon is pissed off. It supports the ankle and foot movement. I've been having ankle problems for the past few months, so its no surprise that another issue as risen. I did a trail run, and uneven ground made for a pissed off Peroneal Tendon.
Here is a good article about it
http://www.foothealthfacts.org/footankleinfo/peroneal-tendon.htm
Treatment:
I took some aspirin, elevated my foot and rested, and sure enough it went away. But for good? Not sure.. but at least I know what it is now.
About a month ago, I started getting a really bad pain on the outer side of my foot, and near the bottom of my foot. It would happen a few hours after a long run. It feels similar to the pain felt with a stress fracture, except the only difference is that this pain will fade away, and a stress fracture wont.
It would prevent me from even walking. It was a very sharp Stabbing type of pain, mixed in with a deep cramp. It would go away after a day, so I didn't think much of it. Then it happened again and again.
X marks the spots of pain
I found out my Peroneal Tendon is pissed off. It supports the ankle and foot movement. I've been having ankle problems for the past few months, so its no surprise that another issue as risen. I did a trail run, and uneven ground made for a pissed off Peroneal Tendon.
Here is a good article about it
http://www.foothealthfacts.org/footankleinfo/peroneal-tendon.htm
Treatment:
I took some aspirin, elevated my foot and rested, and sure enough it went away. But for good? Not sure.. but at least I know what it is now.
Trapezius Muscle pain
Last week I learned of a "new" type of pain. The Trapezius muscle pain.
Last week, after my 13.1 and nursing some old injuries, I wasn't able to run as much as I normally do. And on top of that, I was insanely stressed out at work, putting in LONG hours sitting at the computer.
Finally Saturday morning, my body had enough, and the spot right between my middle and lower trapezius was in excruciating pain.
I've never had a pain so bad where it made me want to throw up and I couldn't breathe. And whats worse is that I didn't even "earn" the pain, like through rock climbing or from training, just stress at work. So unfair and evil...
I spent all Saturday using all my remedies - foam roller, a tennis ball, stretching, yoga, massage therapist, soaks. Nothing relieved it. People say don't move it, but the less I moved, the MORE it hurt. So I tried to always keep moving, not matter how painful it was. Sunday morning, my back was still in pain, but I had more movement in it. At least I could swing my arms for my 10k that day.
I thought it was going to be hard to run with my back pain, but actually running HELPED! Half way through the race, all the pain in my back was gone, and I felt 'normal' again! It was great! Running is my savior.
Later that day, the pain slowly crept back, but not as strong as it was initially. But now I know what I have to do, run, and run some more. :)
Last week, after my 13.1 and nursing some old injuries, I wasn't able to run as much as I normally do. And on top of that, I was insanely stressed out at work, putting in LONG hours sitting at the computer.
Finally Saturday morning, my body had enough, and the spot right between my middle and lower trapezius was in excruciating pain.
I've never had a pain so bad where it made me want to throw up and I couldn't breathe. And whats worse is that I didn't even "earn" the pain, like through rock climbing or from training, just stress at work. So unfair and evil...
I spent all Saturday using all my remedies - foam roller, a tennis ball, stretching, yoga, massage therapist, soaks. Nothing relieved it. People say don't move it, but the less I moved, the MORE it hurt. So I tried to always keep moving, not matter how painful it was. Sunday morning, my back was still in pain, but I had more movement in it. At least I could swing my arms for my 10k that day.
I thought it was going to be hard to run with my back pain, but actually running HELPED! Half way through the race, all the pain in my back was gone, and I felt 'normal' again! It was great! Running is my savior.
Later that day, the pain slowly crept back, but not as strong as it was initially. But now I know what I have to do, run, and run some more. :)
Tuesday, January 11, 2011
Posterior Shin Splint
My current "injury"
Forefoot running was not meshing well with my left leg. My plantar would be upset, my ankle would need more support, and my calf would always be really really sore, but it was pains I could power through. Then recently, I got a 'new' pain that was much different.
This pain felt more like a really deep painful bruise on the lower, inner section of my left calf. Around 3-5 inches above the ankle. The foam roller couldn't help this time. The Pain would last about 3 days, but would come back again, with intense usage.
I started to google and narrowed it down to either a posterior shin splint or a stress fracture. I set up a meeting with my podiatrist who did an xray and thankfully said its not a stress fracture, and was as I suspected, a posterior shin splint.
I told him my new method of training, forefoot running. The strange thing is my right leg has No pains at all. no soreness, nothing. 100% left. so odd.
anyways, he explained that the Normal shin splints we get, (on the front of the leg -shin) is caused because that muscle is pulling our foot upwards (figure 1). Where as for me, from Forefoot running, my foot is in the downward position more (figure 2), which uses the posterior mucles, hence over use= shin splint
I asked him what a stress fracture would feel like, and he said:
1- a constant pain
2- more of a throbbing, stabbing pain, that would get get worse even with walking.
At least now I will be able to tell the difference.
For now I'm gonna go back to my old midfoot strike. But I'm really happy its just shin splint, and nothing worse. Horray!!
Figure 1
This is where the pain was.
Figure 2
Forefoot running was not meshing well with my left leg. My plantar would be upset, my ankle would need more support, and my calf would always be really really sore, but it was pains I could power through. Then recently, I got a 'new' pain that was much different.
This pain felt more like a really deep painful bruise on the lower, inner section of my left calf. Around 3-5 inches above the ankle. The foam roller couldn't help this time. The Pain would last about 3 days, but would come back again, with intense usage.
I started to google and narrowed it down to either a posterior shin splint or a stress fracture. I set up a meeting with my podiatrist who did an xray and thankfully said its not a stress fracture, and was as I suspected, a posterior shin splint.
I told him my new method of training, forefoot running. The strange thing is my right leg has No pains at all. no soreness, nothing. 100% left. so odd.
anyways, he explained that the Normal shin splints we get, (on the front of the leg -shin) is caused because that muscle is pulling our foot upwards (figure 1). Where as for me, from Forefoot running, my foot is in the downward position more (figure 2), which uses the posterior mucles, hence over use= shin splint
I asked him what a stress fracture would feel like, and he said:
1- a constant pain
2- more of a throbbing, stabbing pain, that would get get worse even with walking.
At least now I will be able to tell the difference.
For now I'm gonna go back to my old midfoot strike. But I'm really happy its just shin splint, and nothing worse. Horray!!
Figure 1
This is where the pain was.
Figure 2
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)