Depressed: still can't run

[roadie gal]

It's been over 3 months. I have a hip strain that's been diagnosed as a tensor facia lata strain. I rested. I had ART therapy. Now I'm in physical therapy. I don't think it's getting better. I'm really depressed. It's coming up on the best time of year to trail run and I can't run at all. WHINE!!! I'm hoping I'll be OK to cross country ski in a few months.

At least I can still bike and swim. But I'm so down about my hip that I just don't feel like doing anything. I just want to sit down and suck my thumb and have my mommy give me a hug.

Thanks for letting me rant and whine. It makes it feel *marginally* better.

[pardes]

Let's rant and keen together....

Couldn't bike ALL weekend due to hip and spin pain. In fact, I'm taking half a day off from work to get the kinks out before I venture out to bike/bus into Wilmington. My Princely manager sent me a reply email to take whatever time I needed. He's a saint!

On the positive side...even if I can't WALK I can still bike. (Geting to the bike is the only issue) Isn't that ironic? That you can bike for miles and miles even when you can't take 10 steps without bone-crushing pain.

Maybe bicycles will be the new wheelchairs for baby boomer seniors.

[Urlea]

Sorry to hear about your pain ladies!!! I'd be discouraged too. *Hugs*

Hoping you heal quickly. You'll both definitely be in my thoughts.

[NbyNW]

So sorry to hear you're in so much pain.

There are no words to describe how much it sucks when an injury seems to be taking forever to heal, and it's standing in the way of enjoying the things you love most. You have my sympathy.

My approach to my various aches and pains over the years has been to give my body a rest by focusing on something else. That might include trying out a new sport if the new sport does not aggravate the injury.

Sometimes you do have to take a season off . . . or more than one. But you have to give your body a chance to heal if you ever want to get back out there, and sometimes it just takes a heckuva long time.

I find that just doing the PT, although time consuming, lacks the mental engagement I need for that period of time. The exercises are so routine that I miss seeing/reacting/interacting as a component of my favorite activities.

Things like sketching outdoors helps fill up what I miss when I'm recovering from injury. So does listening to language tapes.

I told myself 8 years ago that I was done with any sports that involved running because I was in constant pain and I want my knees and hips and ankles to last me a very long time.

Yesterday I participated in my first sprint triathlon.

Just because you're not doing the things you want to do, doesn't mean you have to put your life on hold. Feed your brain while your body is healing.

Good luck & hope you start to feel better soon.

[jesvetmed]

Well said, Jocelyn!
Hang in there ladies! Jes

[Wahine]

I love the way Jocelyn replied. Very appropriate.

On the more practical side of things... has any one looked at what is happening with your back. The people I see with chronic TFL pain often have one or a combination of these other factors:

Restriction or irritation at the L4-5 vetebral motion segement
Sacroiliac joint movement dydsfunction
Multifidus weakness as well as the typical imbalances seen with TFL problems (glute and deep abdomenal weakness)
And movement dysfunction at the foot like weak muscles in the arch and/or flat feet.

Have you had your running stride analyzed? If you are crossing over the mid line before initial contact during your stride, that's a huge contributing factor that needs to be addressed.

Hope that helps a bit.

[roadie gal]

I love the way Jocelyn replied. Very appropriate.

On the more practical side of things... has any one looked at what is happening with your back. The people I see with chronic TFL pain often have one or a combination of these other factors:

Restriction or irritation at the L4-5 vetebral motion segement
Sacroiliac joint movement dydsfunction
Multifidus weakness as well as the typical imbalances seen with TFL problems (glute and deep abdomenal weakness)
And movement dysfunction at the foot like weak muscles in the arch and/or flat feet.

Have you had your running stride analyzed? If you are crossing over the mid line before initial contact during your stride, that's a huge contributing factor that needs to be addressed.

Hope that helps a bit.

I have an imbalance between my right and left sides that I'm sure contributed to this. So, at 49 1/2 years old I'm relearning to walk. feh

[jfogy]

Roadie Gal,

I've got the exact same thing, except for I've had mine since February.

What started out as TFL now has been diagnosed as Gluteus Minimus. MRI came back clean. I've been through therapy with no results. The only thing that seems to be helping even a little is I've started doing major ab workouts. For some reason it seems to be working. In my case it may be related to an ab weakness? Who knows. Hang in there.