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Thursday, April 23, 2009

Progress?

Well, it's been 13 days since my last entry. After a week of "ice massaging" 3x/day religiously, I was still having the same problem with my knee. I finally cut back to 1x/day. I have read pretty much everything I can about ITBS online...gone to every forum...read everyone's different experiences. Some people get over it in a week, some people in 6 months...It seems that many people have had good results from chiropractic treatment, and so I decided to make an appointment for this afternoon. The last week I seem to have good days and bad days...I can't find any connection between my activities and what aggravates the knee, though. It just seems to randomly come and go.

Chris is working late today, and Caleb has baseball practice, so I canceled my appointment for this afternoon. I'm tempted to just wait it out another few weeks to see where I'm at. I do think I'm having more "good" days than "bad," so maybe I'll wait...

In other news, my bike/elliptical came! I've used it twice so far, and am SO happy to be sweating again. As gross as that sounds, it feels so good to be exerting some energy. I've been really consistent with my push-ups and sit-ups...I'm up to 52 consecutive push-ups and am doing my test tomorrow to see if I can pull off 200 consecutive sit-ups. I'm going to try the 200 squat challenge, but not sure if my knee will like that. I'm just happy to not be completely sedentary anymore...I just hope I can get back out there running before the weather gets cold again and the mornings are dark!

Friday, April 10, 2009

Physical "Therapy"

Went to my physical therapy appointment yesterday. He thinks it's my IT Band, too. Made me feel somewhat validated...

For some reason, he says most of my problem may be congenital. What?! You mean a 1/2 East Indian, 1/2 translucent-white person isn't built as a runner?? Ok, ok, maybe we have brains, but not athleticism. Regardless, I still love to run. I want to be out there like peanut butter wants to be on jelly. Bad news--I'm not built like a runner. Good news--I can *kind of* train myself to run like a runner. I guess the way my pelvis lines up makes me slightly turn my feet/legs outward when I run...whereas many women tend to run a bit knock-kneed. The doc told me to focus on turning my feet inward a bit more while I'm running...will do, doc, as I'm trying not to trip over my own feet.

He also suggested that I stop using an "ice pack" and switch to an "ice cup." Never heard of it. He told me to freeze water in a styrofoam cup (guess he's not into that whole global warming thing...) and then trim off the top inch or so and rub it quickly on my knee until it turns red and numb. Sounds like a blast. I tried it today...ummm...I don't think my skin was meant to get frostbite. Anyhoo, I'll give it a try for a week...2x a day. He said by the middle of next week I should notice a big improvement. If not, back to him I'll go...but as much as I enjoyed the peace and quiet in the little room, I hope I never have to go back there. That would mean I'm not better.

Well, I'm off to rub my knee with frozen water until I can feel no more...

Monday, April 6, 2009

Sprained Lateral Ligament?

I went to the doc last Friday...she says I have a sprained lateral ligament on my left knee. I dunno, though...I'm still wondering if it's my IT Band. I pretty much have every one of the "symptoms" of ITBS, it's almost textbook. I mentioned it to the doctor, but she said I would be feeling the pain all the way up the side of my leg. I told her that I do, sometimes, but that most of the time it is concentrated in my knee. It seems that when I get up in the morning, is when I notice it on the outside of my leg...

At any rate, I am supposed to take 600 mg. of Ibuprofen for 10 days, continue my icing (it's getting a tad old...), and have a physical therapy appt. set for Thursday. I'm really looking forward to it, as I feel that he will really be able to tell me what is wrong with me, and hopefully be able to get me on the road to recovery. I truly am saddened by this situation. The weather has been incredible the last few weeks. I want to be out running so badly...I know I should be grateful it's not something more serious, but I'm just so sad. I'm already noticing my jeans getting tighter...