Thursday, March 1, 2012

Stress-Partment-Fracture-Syndrome?

I had waited FOUR whole weeks for yesterday's appointment - it conveniently coincided with the only "real' snow storm Massachusetts has seen this winter. I was willing to borrow a snow plow to drive to this appointment, there was no way in hell I was missing it.

There was also no way in hell I wasn't going to run before my appointment "just in case". I ran for well over an hour yesterday morning, and ironically had a fantastic run. Moving on.

I got into Boston pretty early, just as the flakes were starting to fly.


It wasn't until I got past these doors that I started getting nervous. This guy held the keys to my short-term running future. And potentially the scalpel that will give me those speedy running legs I've been working so hard to attain. Yikes.


I'll spare you the nitty gritty details, but this is how things shook down:


  • I do not have a "classic case" of exertional compartment syndrome. My pressures are abnormally elevated at rest, but do not soar super sky high above that abnormal post-exercise. Those numbers go up, but not exponentially. 
  • Even with this being the case, at the time we were speaking in his office, he was confident in the surgery, and offered me a 80% success rate. It's not 100%, but it's also not Mohegan Sun odds. I was willing to roll the dice with 80%. Bring it. 
  • He asked me to do a routine x-ray before I left, to make sure their weren't any tumors, etc in my lower leg before I head for surgery. Once the x-ray was done, he told me to schedule my surgery and go on my merry way. 
You didn't think it was going to be THAT simple, did you? I was navigating my way out of Boston, in the snow, when the office calls my phone. I answer, it's Dr. Theodore himself. Shit. He says "I just reviewed your x-ray, and there is a 'significant' stress fracture in your tibia. This is fascinating!". Listen Doc, I don't want "fascinating", I want "fixed". 

The Man himself thinks that the stress fracture (by the way, how much of a rockstar I am that I have been running DOUBLE DIGIT runs through a stress fracture - roar.) may be elevating the pressure in the compartment, and perhaps if the stress fracture heals, and I have no pain running, I could avoid surgery because the symptoms of compartment syndrome will be substantially reduced. Of course, it's all "theory" at this point. 

Next step at this point is an MRI on the 15th - he said that we'll speak 2 days after the MRI to discuss the results. We're currently keeping the 5/3/12 surgery date on the calendar, until further evaluation. 

Take-Aways:
  • I'm frustrated - I went into this appointment thinking I would FINALLY have a plan to end this. It didn't happen. 
  • I'm stressed out - what if I get sent into another 6 month cycle that looks like this:
    • MRI - let stress fracture heal - try to run again - no pain - 6 months goes by - compartment syndrome flares up again - re-do pressure test (#&(*$^) - looking at surgery again, but now it's 2013. 
  • I feel pretty strongly that these compartment syndrome symptoms (say THAT 5 times fast) existed long before the stress fracture took place (which I'm pinpointing to have been  January, when I literally couldn't run more than 5 minutes without debilitating pain). However, I understand his point of "not skipping steps". 
It's a lot to digest, and right now, I'm trying not to look past the March 15th date. Once I have the results of the MRI, I'll have more information, and can outline a plan. I still have a firm surgery date on the calendar, and it's not going anywhere unless I say so. 

That's where everything stands as of today. Thanks for all the kind words and support, I appreciate it!

Happy Training! 


23 comments:

  1. Your amazing girl.
    How have you been running on that? Wow.
    I'm sorry about the news. Wishing you happy thoughts & well wishes. Injuries suck, I know first hand. :(
    Hang in there!!

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    1. I've been running w/ a lot of heart and denial ;) Thank you so much E!!

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  2. Wow, that's a lot to digest with no definite answer. Talk about frustrating! At some point you just want it all fixed. Whatever it is, whatever the cause. Just done with it.

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    1. Agree, agree. Thanks H! If this guys is good enough to fix Tom Brady, he'll do the right thing..

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  3. Oh, Boston. I love the picture of the sign! And, more importantly, I'm sorry that you didn't get the answers that you wanted. This guy sounds like he knows what he's talking about though and hopefully knowing about the stress fracture will create a better outcome in the long run. Thinking of you!

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    1. Yeah, he fixed Tom Brady.. So I'm thinking he knows best big picture. Still frustrating in the short term. Thanks A :)

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  4. You are a machine running on a stress fracture and compartment syndrome. Yeah, I don't know what else to say because I am a wimp. I'll be thinking of you on 3/15.

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    1. Thank you so much R - run a few miles for me :)

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  5. Wow is a lot of swallow and things keep changing. I hope that the stress fracture heals and that you don't have to undergo surgery but in the end I really want you to just be better and 100% again! I know how stressful this must be but in a few months you will be looking back at this and being grateful that it's all over. Keep us posted and good luck!

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    1. Thank you - I am trying desperately to keep things in perspective, and I know it could be so much worse.. Thanks again for the support :)

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  6. oh, oh wow. girl, i'm so sorry you are going through this, i'm thinking of you!

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    1. Wanna teach me how to love my bike? I have a feeling I'll be getting REAL cozy with it over the next few months.. Run some hard miles for me :)

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  7. Hang in there. You WILL be back. Jo

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  8. Oh man, that is QUITE a big diagnosis to digest. And like everyone else has already said - damn girl, you've been running on a stress facture in the double digits, no less? wow.
    Hang in there - sending positive vibes for your next appointment. xoxo

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    1. Thanks Jess - eye on the prize. This isn't forever - just have to take one step at a time.. Do I sound like I'm convincing myself? I'm trying ;)

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  9. so so frustrating friend :( I really hope the MRI shows SOMETHING more definitive. And if you wanna run, you know who to call hehe (not that I should be rooting you on to run on the injury!!). XOXO!

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    1. I heart enablers :) Especially you. I bit the bullet today and joined.the.gym (GASP!!!). So now that I'm spending money to be at the gym (versus running), I'm going to *attempt* to behave. We'll see how long that lasts ;)

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  10. Meaghan,
    So sorry to hear this news. Hoping these next couple of weeks go quickly for you so you can get the answers you need. All the best.
    Jill

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  11. Oh Meaghan, I'm so sorry to hear all of this. I'm sure a simple "yup, you're fine" would have made your year. But, at least he suggested the xray and that he's working on getting you better... be it this year or next. Frustrating, most definitely. You are a tough chick... stay strong!

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  12. Oh lady I am so so sorry. hold in there! just wondering, did they give you an xray to begin with in January? a comparison point maybe? i am sure you are like stop asking these dumb questions but just wondering...

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  13. Hey Meaghan, I'm so sorry I've been out of the loop on your blog. The good news about all of this is that you will run like a rock star when it's all over, however it pans out.

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  14. How in the world is a stress fracture fascinating? Oh to be in the brain of a doctor, but I do understand where he's going with it.

    Best of luck no matter what happens, you're going to be back to running before you know it, and speedier than ever! XOXO

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