Dangers of Self-Diagnosis

The pain began in my lower shin and worked its way down into my ankle. It started as a simple annoyance but got worse and worse. Then the hiking in Utah and followed by the 10 mile run on Slickrock in Moab, it was really hurting, and I knew I needed a doctor's opinion. According to all the literature, my symptoms were classic: stress fracture of the lower tibia caused by increasing mileage and intensity too quickly. I became more certain over time, and the two doctors I saw agreed.

You see, I was training to do the inaugural Rock and Roll Marathon in Seattle with my two best running buddies - Gail Kouame and Joey Nicholson. I was behind on mileage, and since I was feeling good, I made the mistake of jumping up my mileage far too fast. Injured! I backed way off, but even on short runs it was hurting on impact with every step. I was at the finish line when Joey and Gail came across, but damnit! It would have been so great to have run across with them.

The initial x-rays didn't show anything, but then they usually don't. An MRI or bone scan is needed for a definitive diagnosis. The doctor recommended 6-8 weeks off. I took 8 full weeks without running, cycling and hiking instead. I started running again in late July, and eventually worked up to 5 miles without pain. Okay! I was good to go! But about two weeks later, the pain came back about 2 miles into an easy run. Talk about being bummed out.

I made an appointment with a new doc, and went through the entire process - x-rays, MRI, and guess what? NO stress fracture. One part of my self-diagnosis was correct - overuse due to increasing mileage and intensity too fast. The really bad part of the stress-fracture theory was that I could have treated the problem differently, and not missed out on several months of running. I had read that some research contraindicates icing and anti-inflammatories for treating stress fractures, so I avoided these treatments all together. Total rest is typically prescribed for 6-8 weeks. In retrospect, a few weeks of rest, ice and ibuprofen probably would have done the trick.

Today, I made the decision to register for the LA Marathon, which will be held in March 2010. I will have to train at a much slower pace and with more cross training than ever before. So, I'm not expecting any personal record this time. But I have to tell you, I feel today like I'm walking on air! The thought of being able to get out and RUN, no matter how slowly, has never before been so significant.