So, About That Injury

 Hopefully, we all remember The Injury, which I think began a downward spiral for my mood. 

(No, faithful reader, I'm not being dramatic.  I really do feel that way.  I adore working out, especially my Muay Thai and Capoeira classes, and having those abruptly yanked from me, plus no ability to walk for stress relief, plus being in constant - and I do mean constant - pain, as well as no ability to sleep due to the (did I mention?) pain, and my entire family and rest of my life falling to hell - well, that's where I am.) 

I tossed in the towel and went to the doctor today. I was, I'll admit, afraid to go.  I really didn't want to hear that anything was wrong. I just wanted to go to sleep and wake up with my leg back the way it was two weeks ago.  But, it wasn't getting better and so I went.  I was, uh, shocked to actually look at my leg - I had no idea, until I sat for the x ray and nurse pointed it out to me, that back of my entire leg, from the knee down past the ankle, is black, blue, green and yellow.  And swollen.  So, so swollen.  Almost double the size of my other calf.

I have a Medial Gastrocnemius tear - or a few.  I tore the calf muscle, as well as the accompanying tendon(s) - not certain how many, as I was (hello!) not listening. And what I thought was a large muscle cramp last month was actually the same injury, but being that I didn't know I'd harmed the muscle, I went back on it too early and that led to this (much worse) injury.  It's a condition called Tennis Leg, which is TOTALLY hysterical, given the fact that I hate tennis.   Want to read more about it, as well as see a picture of my FANTASTIC new accessories?  Look below the fold!

Here it is, from one of the gazillions of websites I've been studying today:

Tennis leg is similar to an Achilles tendon injury. At the time of injury, players experience searing pain or a tearing sensation in the calf as a plantar flexed foot (up on the toes) moves to dorsiflexion (raised toes while resting on the heel); the player may actually feel a "pop" as the gastrocnemius muscle tears.

Pain is instantaneous; as soon as the bleeding starts, the gastrocnemius goes into spasm, causing intense pain. Players may move after the injury, but once they stop, the gastrocnemius tightens up; the foot plantar flexes and the player can no longer put their heel down or bear weight without pain.

The injury may be characterized by a bulge, and is painful to the touch. The pain is always located on the medial (inside) side. Ecchymosis, or bruising, extends to the ankle and foot in about half of the cases; more severe cases have bruising apparent after the first few days along with swelling and distention.

I'm off work for a minimum of two weeks, and out of all lower body work for, oh, at least a month.

Comments

[Melissa]

Ouch! Rest up hon!

[patois]

You're such a tough guy, to have gone so long with that pain. I'll cross my fingers -- and my legs, as I can still do that -- and hope you heal quickly.

[Kimberly]

Bummer!! On the upside, pain meds and some time off work. Hopefully you can rest your body and mind AND heart. Interesting that this is coming for you during Lent. Wht an opportunity!!

[Megan]

Oh my gosh! I'm so sorry. It really sucks that you have to deal with this. On the bright side -- sorry if you're not ready to go there yet -- I think if you have to hurt yourself, injuring your leg/knee/foot is better than injuring your back. People hurt their backs and the exact problem never gets identified, and they're in pain for years. At least you have a definite diagnosis and a prescription for healing.

[Jamie]

OK Carmen that just flat sucks. But at least it wasn't a break? (I know...not helping here.)

Hang in there!

[Liz@thisfullhouse]

Sorry that you're hurting, but was glad to read that you saw a doctor. Heal up good, Momma.

[Sabz]

now you can catch up on all the movies and TV you missed. Vicodin yum! :)) hope you feel better soon. Take it ez.

[Katie]

UGH! Big hugs to you and darnit, stay off of it! Hope it heals quickly.

[des]

You are such a STUDETTE! How many other girls do you know who've gotten injured like that :o) ! That is one wicked awesome impressive Boo-Boo!

[Lisa]

Sending feel better soon wishes your way!

[angie]

You know, if it weren't for the pain, this would be something to brag about. How you are a serious athlete who has serious crutches needing injuries. I'll bet the Carmen before the weight loss never had these kinds of injuries. Take care, tiger!

[Sarah]

Oh holy ouch.

[mm]

Well no point doing something half way, is it? Looks like you have a serious injury there. I hope you actually follow doctor's orders. And I am pretty sure they don't mean cleaning house etc while hopping on one foot.

Btw I lol at the comment about using your crutches as discipine tools. As if any of us would of course, but what a hoot.

[Kate's Mama]

I am very glad you went to the doctor, and at least have it correctly diagnosed.

My prayers are with you for a speedy recovery. Please take care of yourself.

[EmmaElizabeth]

oh god crutches suck more than anything. sooo sorry to hear about your injury! (but crutches give the best ab workout! i broke my foot and was on crutches for a week after surgery and i didn't realize how much you use your abs with those darn things!)hopefully they gave you some good drugs!

and 2 weeks off? be sure to take it easy and destress ;)

[Victoria]

Praying for a speedy recovery. So glad you finally went to the doc!

[Hayes]

Ihave on remarkably similar, but lwoer on my leg. Mine is just the boot portion for a stress fracture in my foot. I hope yours heals quickly!

[Beth]

Thank goodness you went! I absolutely hate going to the doctors myself so I know how that is. My daughter is having her second surgery on her knee 3/17. This ought to be interesting as now she has an almost 2 year old that is VERY active. Wishing you a speedy recovery!!!!

[Erin]

Auggh! I'm so sorry to hear that!

Especially the no workouts thing. I hope you feel better soon.

I've been in those lovely walking casts. They're no fun and weigh a metric ton, especially when trying to hold them up while on crutches. You'll have good thigh muscles!

Take care of yourself.

[Bama Cheryl]

I tore my gastrocnemius muscle a few years ago playing around and leaping across our bedroom to hop onto the bed. We literally heard the POP noise the muscle made when it blew. So I put ice on it -- an ice pack direct from the freezer, tied onto my calf with a scarf. And went to sleep. This was in July. I awoke the next day to frostbite on my leg in addition to an extremely painful muscle tear. How big a dope am I??? I know it hurts but stay off the darn thing so you can heal as soon as possible.

[momzen]

owie. owie. owie. I haven't been keeping up every day with you, but I've been a reader for a couple of years. You are a tremendous inspiration for me. Your injury (along with your whole weight loss story) reminds me of something I want to share with you...

One of my biggest (secret) fears when I've gotten hurt to the point where I can't work out is "Oh no! I'm going to get fat again!" because I can't exercise. I have to remind myself that I'll never go back to how I was before (totally out of control).

I'm writing this note to remind you that you too, will be okay EVEN IF YOU CAN'T WORK OUT!

(Of course, as I write this, I, personally, have gotten a little out of control - but I'm getting back on my game again).

Take care of yourself, Carmen!