First off, I have some semi-great news. I had an MRI done on my right knee recently because I wanted to know conclusively what was wrong with it. I got my test results today, and the following note from my doctor:
Richelle,
Good news. No meniscal tears on the MRI.
There are signs of some softening and irritation of the articular cartilage (chondromalacia) of the patella, which we suspected. You're doing the right stuff for that. (PT is the best treatment).
I hope you're doing well.
Todd
So, I don't have a torn meniscus, which is good. I was worried about that. The cartilage under my kneecap is soft and irritated--classic runner's knee. I also learned that have a small cyst underneath that kneecap cartilage (explaining why my knee hurt sometimes if I knelt on it), my patella (kneecap) has a slight lateral tilt, and my joint capsule on the medial (inner) side has some thickness and swelling. I'm glad I'm on the right track with PT, and that I don't need surgery.
Going forward, I will continue with PT. I've been doing a little bit of running (15 minutes here and there), but I may stop running completely for the next several weeks. I hope I can do more swimming, and I'm glad walking hasn't been bothering me much.
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I've been experimenting with my running shoes and orthotics over the last week and have made the following discoveries:
1. Walking in my Nike Frees without my orthotics is easy on my legs. My right knee doesn't hurt when I wear those shoes, and I find that my muscles are less sore after a long walk compared to how my muscles felt after walking a long time in my Asics.
2. I have a pair of Saucony Progrid Guide 3 shoes that I purchased last year and haven't worn much. I've tested them out on the treadmill without my orthotics and liked them. They have a great amount of cushioning, and I find it easy to strike midfoot while wearing them.
3. I may test out my Asics without orthotics to see how they feel, but they are certainly stiff when I'm wearing them with orthotics. Perhaps I'll just donate the shoes to a shoe recycling program.
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My questions for you:
1. Do you have a recurring injury?
2. What are your favorite running shoes?
Have a great week!
I am a Brooks person. Have you ever gone to a good shoe store and done a running analysis to see what shoes are good for you?
ReplyDeleteI tend to stick with Nike shoes. I've experimented a little bit but always come back to Nike.
ReplyDeleteThat's great news about the MRI!
ReplyDeleteI am sooo fortunate not to have nagging or recurring injuries. (KNOCK ON WOOD)
And my favorite shoes are Saucony Progrid Stabil CS... I'm on my 7th or 8th pair!
Yes that is great news about the MRI. Have you thought about trying vibrams? I have no idea if that would help or hinder but since I got my vibrams I have been noticing a lot less foot pain in general in my feet. Though I do not use the vibrams for running yet (just walking). But since you mentioned the Nike Frees were helping...just a thought. :)
ReplyDeleteThat is fantastic news about your knee!!!!! Yipee!!!! Your doctor signed his note "Todd" - did I miss the story about who your doctor is????
ReplyDeleteI feel sooooo badly that you're dealing with shoe issues and running injuries. I have had soooo many issues. I am pretty sure that I've run in the most different types of shoes ever in search of that perfect shoe (that everyone seems to talk about). As much as I don't like them, Pearl Izumi Float 3's have fixed all of my issues (except for my heal . . . can't win them all I guess). I had horrible shin splints and the Floats ended those immediately. My new knee pain also seems to disappear with the Floats. I would never wish shoe and injury issues on anyone - it gets soo frustrating and expensive! Good luck!!!!
My recurring injury is shin splints. I'm just too anxious to run "forever" that I ignore the necessity of building up to it.
ReplyDeleteDespite the fact that I currently run in a pair of stability Asics, my favorite running shoe still is an old pair of New Balance I tore through about a year ago. They changed the model so I had to switch, but they're still my fav.
Yeah! No tears! Sounds like the Nike Frees are good to you. I'msure misszippy can share her thoughts on orthodics! :)
ReplyDeleteI wear Brooks and really like them. I'm on my 5th or 6th pair of the same model.
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