Post Kona I finally got an MRI on my groin. The assumed groin pull was not reacting to the ART I was receiving; pain persisted from mid July through October. I avoided getting an MRI in an attempt to remain ignorant, I had a hunch it could be a stress fracture, although the result would not have held me back from racing so I choose to wait. The results came back as healing stress fractures in my ischial tuberosity and pubic ramus. We’ll never know for sure but the doctors predict that I had badly strained my groin while running with my collarbone brace and throwing off my gait (yes I know very stupid) .Although I completely stopped running, the strain eventually resulted in stress fractures by August. My MRI results showed no recent cracks, therefore running in Kona had not worsened the injuries. Rest and recovery over the winter should be sufficient for both bones to fully heal. The plan was no running until 2011.
I made my big move to Boulder over Thanksgiving weekend. One week afterwards I had a work trip to Oakland, California with my new Government Western Region Sales Team. On Tuesday, December 7th we were playing a friendly game of basketball as a team building exercise. Of course I was the only female playing. Coming down from a rebound a co-worker landed directly onto the side of my left foot. Immediately I knew it was broken as I tried to stand up. What I didn’t know was how badly it was broken. As I limped around I noticed it was a different pain than I’d had with my previous 2 metatarsal stress fractures (10 years apart). This new pain was in the center of my foot.
We went to the emergency room in Oakland. Over the duration of 6 hours spent in the ER I found that my cuneiform and metatarsal bones were fractured in 6 places and dislocated (tarsometatarsal joint dislocation). Basically my foot was a hot mess.
Upon return to Boulder and numerous doctor appointments it was determined that I required surgery should I ever want to run again. The plan was internal fixation/arthrodesis, the main concern is the ligaments growing back. Somehow my co-worker landed on my foot just right, all doctors compare the severity of the fractures and dislocation to my foot to being crushed in a car accident. So I went under the knife on December 14th. The surgery went well, 4 permanent screws were placed in my foot along with one pin which will be removed on January 10th.
For now I can only take it one day at a time. I was in a hard cast for a week after surgery. I am now in a removable boot and continue to be non-weight bearing for 6 weeks and will then be in a walking boot for another 3 weeks. Over the past 2 weeks I’ve been doing a lot of pilates and core work, this week I began lifting in the weight room. Today I began swimming, although have limited kicking ability and only push off the wall with my good leg. I will begin biking once the pin is removed and swelling goes down. Running will depend on my ligaments growing back which can be a timely process. I’m optimistic about the 2011 season; I’ve proven time and again I heal in half the time of most doctor’s predictions. My race plans will change from early spring races to summer/fall races.
I’m very lucky to have so many friends and family out to take care of me. My dad flew out the night before surgery and stayed for a week. One of my best friends Paula flew out the weekend after surgery, my aunt came out to act as caretaker for the 2nd week after surgery and one of my best friends Ashley is coming out this weekend to ring in the New Year. Not to mention my brother, sister-in-law, nieces and friends in Colorado who have worked to entertain and take care of me while healing.
one week post surgery once hard cast and stitches were removed
two weeks post surgery, swelling and bruising have gone down considerably.
The good news is throughout this forced rest and recovery my pelvic stress fractures have fully healed.
2010 was my year for fractured bones, a total count of 9 throughout the course of the year.
Therefore my New Years Resolution for 2011:
NO BROKEN BONES!
