and the results are in!

4 weeks later and I finally know what is going on in my ankle!  I'll spare you the details of what scheduling was like...but I ended up getting in at 7am.  Good thing I'm an early riser (not by choice- but for work).



So here is what the MRI report says: (my comments in pink)

There is signal abnormality within the distal fibula which is non specific possibly related to bone contusion.  Additional marrow signal alteration is also seen however with the medial malleolus (inside ankle bone) as well as the as the more inferior portions of the talus.  Little if any calcaneal signal alteration noted.  Freaked out about this- but Dr says it's pretty normal and it doesn't match my symptoms- although I'd say I have pain in by medial malleolus when I stretch my calf.  Whether these areas relate to additional areas of contusion etc. is difficult to determine.  There is fluid with the ankle joint.  Soft tissue swelling is noted medially and laterally. Yep.  The anterior talofibular ligament is not well defined on this examination compared to prior study and may have partially torn. That would be the goose egg next to anklebone  Exclusion of injury of deeper fibers of the deltoid ligament is difficult.  Had to google this one- once again that inside medial malleolus pain... hum.  Ligamentous structures about the ankle appear to be maintained.  That's good, since it was my calcaneofibular ligament that detached and must have reattach sans problems.There is some non specific enhancement with the bilateral soft tissues which should be clinically correlated particularly if there are any symptoms referable to an infectious/inflammatory process. WTF?  No soft abscess seen.  So, what is that hard lump in front of my ankle? 

Can you find the superior extensor retinaculum?  That's the lump.

Of course, google was not my friend since the MRI report was vague and I knew my Dr would probably tell me it was nothing...and it kind of was. 

He told me that the signal alteration in my marrow is pretty normal to see in a MRI, swelling, yep, and the lump was a thickening of my extensor retinaculum but my tendon in front was fine.  He did find a bone spur that the MRI report didn't include which seems to be my problem.  It is pretty small but as soon as he put his thumb on it- yikes it hurt.  It's right at the distal (bottom) of my tibia next to the medial malleolus.  He told me that we could try an injection or arthroscopic surgery if it hurt too bad.  I heard surgery and started shaking my head.  He said that if/when it was killing me then we could revisit that option later.  He also mentioned that I have mild arthritis (NO! I'm NOT that OLD!). 

So...all this MRI drama and I have nothing really resolved other than knowing what it is.  I'm cleared to run "as tolerated". (I didn't think I had to ask!) And so I did.  6.2 miles right after and 2.62 later that night for Boston. (I don't think I can express my sadness in the whole Boston Marathon attack- too awful so I'm going to spare you). 

Running buddies, photo by Cub

Cub

Around 2,000 runners running 11 laps at the local track for the victims of the Boston Attack

Obligatory Ankle picture (not too swollen from that angle) 14 weeks post injury

I'm going ahead and running the Flying Pig in 2 little weeks from now.    I can do a 10k and a 5k, so now, will I be able run/walk the half?  I'm going to try.  But one race at a time seems to be the best way of looking at it right now. 

Waiting game

Ankle update: 

Nothing like wasting (well- I cleaned a bit) my spring break waiting for insurance to approve my MRI.  It's only taken 2 weeks.  Finally get a call at 6:30 on Friday night telling me my doctor ordered a CT scan not an MRI (which is what Monday's call was about - who knew a CAT scan and a CT were the same thing?)  

My Dr had thrown out both types of scans in our conversation- but I thought we decided on MRI (better for soft tissue) over a CT (better for bones).  Anyways, at this point and much googling, I'm sure the CT will probably be better for my anterior bony lump anyways.   Now, I have to arrange a time to call the imagining center with Anthem to arrange it- which will have to be after work hours since I can't take calls (like normal people) or use my cell phone (like normal people) at work.  So maybe I'll get this done by May. 

Running update:  

Ran on Thursday- still feeling it on Saturday.  Grrrrr.  Although, I did managed to knock out a 26:34 5k.  8:33 pace.  Feeling good about my cardio and music selection!  I just wish I wasn't feeling it after so much- it felt fine while I ran.  This raw hamburger tender feeling in the joint is not fun.   BTW 12 weeks and counting since this ankle stuff started.  Depressing.

Spinning miles this week:  70 miles and 4 classes, talked about getting certified to teaching spinning with someone at the Rec, might be worth it at this point.  Although, I'm afraid, I won't get a hard workout in then since I'll actually have to talk instead of focusing on breathing.   But, considering how slow this recovery is going, might as well!  Or get a road bike.

Some funny pics for "Waiting" on Pinterest.

March update: 13 13.1s in 2013 challenge

Wow!  I'm so impressed by how much you guys have run!!!!  Seriously though, I'm super jealous that you guys are doing this and I'm still dealing with this ankle.  I guess I biked 88 miles last week- if that counts for anything! :-)

Here is what I have from you guys so far.  Please email me/dailymile message me/leave a comment and I'll add any that I haven't seen.  

1.  Renee C. with 7 !   
 2.Aneta Z with 6!
3.  Tammie W. with 3
3.  Bill with 3 (2=26.2) plus one last month- total of 4 
3. Mitzi with 3 (I know you've run more- update me!)
3. Yolanda with 3 (same thing- update me!)
4. Shona W with 2 (update?)
5. Carrie R.  aka my running partner- nothing yet, right?

Please let me know if I forgot anyone!  Feel free to join as well!  
 

Running update

11 weeks post injury- this is this AM before I've really been on my foot today.

•  Dr appt went well, told Dr my problems that I am still having, he again focused on my now hard lump in front of my ankle.  He thinks I might have an impingement which is why I can't flex my ankle.  I'm supposed to get an MRI...which is another story. 

 

• So Mon is Dr appt, I'm to get a call to schedule MRI, I wait til Thursday after work- still no call, grrr, call the Dr office, get call on Fri, "Oh, Dr never put in the MRI order, but it's in the office notes.  You'll get a call next week".  Yesterday, I get a call "Scheduling you for a CAT scan" "What?!, I'm supposed to get a MRI." "Oh, the note says MRI but the order is for a CAT scan, I'll call you back after confirming with the Dr".  So, here I am, day 2 of my vacation- waiting to get this MRI scheduled.  I don't want to take time off of work for the MRI and the follow-up appt if I can help it.  Seriously, people!  

 

• Ran again this past Saturday since the sun was out and the temps in the balmy 50s.   3.1 miles in 28:40.  Ankle hurt the entire time...grrrrrrr.  BUT I RAN 3.1 without stopping.  Yay for keeping my cardio up with spinning. Ankle was a bit pissed off after, but Hey, f- it. 

 

• Walked/Ran on Easter Sunday, again the beautiful weather drew me out and of course, being curious, my walked started with a small run to test out the ankle, then ended about 1.5 miles later.  Again, ankle not happy with me. Good thing it's cold out this week again- probably won't try anything for a while considering I could hardly spin last night it hurt so bad.  

Add caption

• So that's were I am...I've reached the F it stage.  I am tired of not running.  It's been 11 weeks.  I am happy I still have cardio so I'm not out of breath.  This running once a week is not making me happy.  

Race Recap: Yep you read that right

The last 2 years I've done this 5k  both times I've bettered my old high school 5k PR of 21:50.  Two years ago, it was 21:30 and last year it was 21:13.  I love this race! How can you not when you PR every time?  Maybe because it is always chilly and a ton of people who are fast run it, maybe because it's close enough to home, I don't have to get up so early to get there. 

Whatever it is, this year was no different....except for my stinking ankle.  I PR'd again, this time though, it would be my Personal Record worse run 33:31.  I'm not ashamed of it, it is what it is, and I ran 2/3 of it.  Let me back up to last weekend.

9 wks and swollen again.

My friend had a free entry into the Harrigan's race this year and wanted to know if I could do it.  I've been running (if you can call it that) for the last 3 weeks (just once a week- test out the ankle) and on last Friday I ran 1 mile pain free.  (Just some stiffness).   Anyways, I said sure.  I can always walk it.  Then on Sunday this is what my ankle looked like:---------->

Now, I'm doubtful.  I hadn't even done anything, except chill out at home without the ankle brace.   WTH?  So all week, I wondered if I should just bail or walk the whole thing.  I decided finally after the swelling went down and some good PT sessions to just go for it and walk the first half of the race and run the second part. 

Bernie and I after the race.

Day of the race, meaning yesterday, I meet up with my friends Tracy and Bernie at the start of the race.  Bernie is going to walk it with me.  Yay! I was not looking forward to walk by myself.   So, off we go, walking the first mile, trying to stay out of the runner's way.  Lots of tutu clad walkers/runners, and some random dudes in gigantic mustache costumes in the back.  First mile walked in 15:00 pace, so we start to run.  That was the best idea ever!!!!! We passed people the next 2 miles- helped with the depressing idea that I walked in the first place.  Mile 2 in 9:15.  Ankle felt fine- a bit stiff but no pain.  Mile 3 in 9:05- I felt great.  In fact, I told Bernie that I was going to push it the last .25 of it and sprinted past a ton of people. According to my Garmin I had a 5:40 pace for a little bit of it!

Probably my strongest finish ever!

Was running a good idea?  Yes. Totally worth it for keeping me sane.  I can see there is light at the end of this injury tunnel. 
Did I feel it later?  Yep.  My DH doesn't like the comparison to hamburger with my ankle- but it just felt raw and chewed up inside the joint, and tight and pulling on the outside.  Advil and some ice and I'm feeling a bit better today although it's still tender and I won't be running again (until next weekend-that is). 
Next up...Follow up with the Dr. tomorrow if we're not snowed in.  8-10 inches of snow forecast-ed  for overnight and I have an 8 am appt.  Probably going to have to wait on that one.

So proud of my running partner- 3rd place in the old lady category! JK, Carrie!

Ankle day after 5k- not to bad according to the cat.

baby steps on the sly

Quick post today.  I'm tallying any one whose run 13.1 this month.  The totals from last month are here.  Please let me know via email, comment here or on daily mile how many you've ran this month.  I'm so jealous that you guys are running!  

As for me...I've run now 2x this week- both on the sly.  I'm not supposed to run yet, but

• last Sun. I ran 4 steps- wow.  I know.  

• Then this past Saturday, I ran one lap on our indoor track at the rec. 1/11 mile.  Big strides right?  
• Then tonight, in my grumpiness, I ran 1 mile. (or .9 miles)  I'm going to probably regret that in the morning but for now- yippy!!!!   
• Granted, my running form is a complete mess and I'm opening myself up to other compensation injuries...so I will be careful. Plus, my stride was short and choppy and my achilles is tight and behind my ankle bone hurts/stings a bit- so definitely not ready to RUN for fitness yet. 

Nice glass of Whine

 


Quick post since I can't seem to be anything but negative today.  I was told 6 weeks until I could run- hah!- I wish.  It's been 7 weeks since I messed up my ankle. I still can't stretch my calf with out getting pain in front/back of my ankle.  I still hop down stairs since my ROM is not much.

I'm trying to be a good patient.  I've been icing 5x a day, doing my Theraband ankle exercises and going to PT 3x a week. I have not been good about elevating it as much as I should- so I guess I could improve on that.  It's hard since I'm on my feet at work most of the time, then on the weekend, I feel like a lazy bum sitting with my foot up not working on stuff when my DH is busy around the house.  Not much of a blog post, sorry, but I'm sure you don't need more whine with that cheese. :-)


Cardio this week:  Spinning x2 34 miles- good resistance no pain
Days til my race:  63 days!  Could I walk it? maybe? That would be soooo hard for me to do.  I'm too competitive. 

lovely lump on left ankle

Like the sock lines? 

Best Ice Pack ever- 3 parts water, 1 part rubbing alcohol- nice and slushy

10 mins x 5 times a day! fun times!

Yay! PT

Ankle injury update:  

Better than the boot or aircast!

• Dr. said I could start PT, ditch the boot and upgrade to a smaller sleeker ankle brace for 6 weeks.  Yay! 

Can you see that lump in front? 

•  I have swelling still in the front of my ankle which makes my ROM (range of motion) pretty limited but it's way better that it was 5 weeks ago.  I have a nodule in the front that the Dr. spent more time poking at then anywhere else.  He says he sees this on occasion and that it's fluid trapped under something or another.  So technical I know, but it was a week ago. 

• I went back to my PT who helped me with my planter fasciitis.  
•  I get to start with fun things like:
• stretching my calf (BTW- impossible with swelling!), As I sat there, with my toes half way up on of those boards for stretching your calf and trying to hold it for 30 secs. was so hard.  It hurt (was it more than 4 on the pain scale, yes, so technically I shouldn't do it, but I didn't say anything, since that seems to be key for ROM). 
• lovely ROM stuff with the BAPS board (sitting down), 
• scooting around the office backwards on the rolly chair (best part!), 
• marching on a cushy pad 
• stepping up and over a 4" board (and it was tough).  
•  I get to have ultrasound to work on the swelling, manual manipulation of my ankle (trying to get it to move in the right ways) and a nice massage to work the swelling down.
• Then ice for 10 minutes. Fun times! x 3 week, but progress is progress...next time Therabands!  woot! woot!

Only 76 days til the Flying Pig Half.  I'll be ready, right?  Trying to be optimistic, I hoping if I keep up my cardio, then the running won't be too bad to get back, right?  I can dream.  

Cardio of the week:  Spinning 3 days this week, kept resistance down- no pain! 

A few of my favorite Pins of the week:

13 13.1 challengers

Thank you everyone for signing up for the challenge.  I have to say I'm so sorry that it has taken me this long to post.  I've been down and out dealing with this whole broken ankle thing.  I'm feeling better now that I'm out of the boot and I can start PT.  Trying to stay optimistic that I'll be able to do participate in my own challenge.   Although, I think most of my races will be near the end of the year. :-) 

So as of now here are my challengers:  

Jennifer F
Shona W  @  http://shushkat.blogspot.co.uk/
Renee C  http://www.dailymile.com/people/Goldie
Carrie R  @runzlikeagirl
Bill D @ http://dontslowdownyet.blogspot.com/
Mitzi  http://www.facebook.com/Challenge13in2013
Aneta Z http://www.dailymile.com/people/AnetaZ
Yolanda

Total so far:
Renee- 2
Bill-1
Shona-2  http://shushkat.blogspot.com
Mitzi-3
Aneta Z-2
Yolanda- 3


Still want to do it?  Here's the info:  13 13.1s in 2013 challenge

Find me on dailymile.com   http://www.dailymile.com/people/heathermc75#ref=tophd

Yes, I'm alive and well

I haven't been in the mood to blog lately.  I haven't been doing much with my bum ankle and I've been feeling sorry for myself.

Ankle Update:  It's been 3.5 weeks since I injured it and I've got 2.5 weeks left (until it's healed?).  I keep going between: optimism- this will heal quickly and I might still be able to eek in some training before the Flying Pig (13.1, 10k 5k) and pessimism-I can't workout, I'm stressed, everyone and their mother is telling me it's going to be a long recovery and I shouldn't push it.

It's still swollen but compared to my last post- down a ton.  I'm still pretty swollen along the joint line, and behind the (c)ankle. I still have a weird pain on the medial side of my ankle (opposite to my injury) although it's not as bad as it was.   I'm wearing the boot still at work- since I'm on my feet most of the day.  At home, I'm using an elastic brace that gives me mild support.  My ankle is feeling not as weak as it did last week.  I'm doing my ROM exercises that I prescribed myself along with Dr. Google.  Don't worry- nothing that causes pain.  I've tried last weekend to go boot free to go grocery shopping.  It hurt- but I think it might have been more my cheap ankle brace (ditched that one- it rubbed against my ankle bone- not good)  Anyways- moved my Dr appt up to Monday so I can at least start PT soon.

Yesterday, I went for a massage.  Wow.  I figured she'd not touch my ankle, but no, she worked on it very gently and reduced the swelling in the front joint line and along the ankle bone.  She thought it was weird that I was swollen on the joint line too. 

Anyways, she told me that a great homeopathic anti-inflammatory was castor oil.  I guess you wrap your ankle in strips of cotton soaked in castor oil, wrap that with Saran Wrap, and a sock and leave it overnight or use it with a heating pad.  She swore by it.  Needless to say, I'm trying it.  It can't hurt, can it? We'll see how it goes, since I'm doing it right now.  I'll let you know if works.


Then, I WORKED OUT!  My god, I've never been so happy to workout!  Not only did I spin, but my fav instructor happen to be subbing!  Double yay!  I used my soft ankle wrap, clipped in my shoes before hoping on the bike.  The first few minutes were a little rough- my ankle was stiff- but it worked out.  I kept resistance down.  I even stood- i know, but I can't sit in a bike saddle for 50 minutes straight!
 Today, I felt fine, no damage from last night, so I'm going to get back to spinning. Yes, I'll take it easy.   My mood has been so much better today as well.

A few quotes to inspire or make you laugh.

latest and greatest ankle injury pictures

Day 3 Dr. office

bottom of my foot is totally bruised just by sitting down waiting.

Ahhh, comfort! Now I can put some weight on my ankle.

day 4 AM bruising setting in

bruising on the inside too

Day 4 PM,  more colors

day 4 pm

Day 5 more bruising- back to work

bruising more in the medial side

Day 7 AM one week after

day 7AM

Day 8, more swollen today- tried to walk around too much yesterday

Right ankle normal, left ankle still swollen (just after I took off the ace bandage)

What my ankle normally looks like

What my left one looks like on day 8

Day 9 am

day 9 am

Yay! You made it through all my lovely pictures.  I'm grossed out by them but at the same time it's interesting to see how your body reacts to trauma.  I never thought my toes would be bruised by an ankle fracture for example.

Recovery wise- I last blogged on Monday- 2 days after my accident.

Tuesday (day 3)- RICE and Dr. Appt where I got a boot.  I have to say, I love the boot.  I couldn't but any weight on my ankle/foot before and now I can so it's helping with walking with crutches.  The official diagnosis:  Avulsion fracture of my fibula. Basically, my calcaneofibular ligament ripped off my fibula and took a chunk of bone with it. It was really tiny in the xray. So this is usually treated like a sprain.  6 weeks and I should be good.

Wednesday (day 4)- RICE and got up more and got used to the boot and crutches.

Thursday (day 5) back to work- kept off my feet as much as possible, iced 2x during the day.

Friday (day 6) work- walked around for about 1hr without crutches- small victory.  Later that night, same thing.

Saturday (day 7- 1 week)  Rested, but feeling frustrated of not being able to work out and irritable cleaned the house with headphones on.  I did some ROM exercises, abcs and flexing it. Over did it, and hurt later that night.  grrr.

Sunday (day 8) RICED, babied it, crutches, etc.  I was able to bear weight on it and actually took a few steps before going to bed to try it out.  The only place it hurt was the medial side...strange- the opposite side from the injury. Hoping it's just stiff.

Monday (day 9- today)- I'm going to try just wearing the boot today and skip crutches.  Wondering if the pain I get in the boot is from just being stiff.  Although as I type it hurts and I haven't even been up in 30 minutes.  Probably need to elevate it!

So my goal this week:  to try to wean from the crutches and to increase ROM.

One week down, 5 to go (hopefully!)