Tensor Fascia Latae Strain
Bad News: I am injured. Again. There I said it. Part of me hoped that if I didn’t acknowledge it publicly, it would vanish on it’s own, as quickly as it came.
It came on at mile 16 of last weekend’s long run. Hip pain on the right (my ‘good’ hip). I chalked it up to the phone in my Fuel Belt Pouch bouncing and hitting my hip bone (iliac crest) and continued assessing for a couple run/walk miles, then shut it down entirely. By the time I got to the car I was trying not to limp. Later that day my entire hip and part of the glute felt sore and inflamed. The bone was tender to the touch.
You know you’re a runner when you buy lunch boxes for the ice packs. Yep, much to my kids’ embarrassment, these slid nicely down my pants. My racing schedule flashed before my eyes:
- Pretty Muddy
- Denver RnR
- Zooma Great Lakes
- MARINE CORPS MARATHON
Possible injuries whirled in my head. What now?
- Bursitis?
- Bone Bruise??
- STRESS FRACTURE???
I am not surrendering this fall to injury like I did last year. I am not.
I calculated how long I had to rehab. 6 weeks in the pool and I still ran Boston…maybe I should go join the YMCA right now for the deep water…
- Monday: I went for a walk and had wincing pain when I put weight on. Tuesday: My walk was pain-free.
- Wednesday: I went for a pain-free bike ride
- Thursday: Another bike ride. I ‘did the right thing’ and called my sports chiro. Office closed.
- Friday: Attempted plyo intervals. After two 30-second running intervals on the mill, my hip was riled and angry again. I called Dr. Miracle and went right in.
After some diagnostic strength tests, he used a 4-letter word I despise: WEAK. Despite all I do for them (not enough) my adductors/abductors are still weak.
(Source)
The Verdict: Strained Tensor Fascia Latae (TFL)
After an array of voodoo I will detail in another post because this one is already too long, I posed the million dollar question and braced for the response:
How long do I need to not run?
Then a miracle happened. The angels sang. Dr. Miracle said “Well I think you shut it down in time and the strain isn’t too bad. No running this weekend, we’ll reassess after that but I think you’ll be running again soon.
So I’m heading in for more hip voodoo shortly and we’ll go from there. I am hopeful. Disgusted beyond words that I’m injured again, but still hopeful.
What’s your good news/bad news? Have you ever heard of TFL?
Oh, no!! I know you mentioned that cranky hip a few times, and as soon as I saw this post I wondered if that’s what it was about. That would be awesome if it’s only a quick break, as he suggested. Crossing my fingers for you!
So sorry about your injury!! That’s just terrible! I hope it heals quickly! Take good care of it, and you’ll be good as new in no time!! Happy Monday! SPALove!
So sorry to hear about your injury 🙁 Though good job knowing your body well enough to stop before it got worse. Wishing you a fast and efficient recovery!
Dammit!! BUT (and this is going to sound weird) I am so PROUD of you for immediately doing the right thing, shutting it down, and going in. You rock.
Praying this is a minor setback, and that you heal up quickly. You’ll be back at it before you know it. Speedy healing my friend!
Oh no, I am so sorry to hear about your hip pain. Keeping my fingers crossed you will be pain free very soon!
Thats a bummer 🙁 I am so glad you caught it so quickly! I feel like i wouldn’t have been so hip to the problem. Ok, that was a terrible pun, but seriously, i hope its a super quick recovery!
I’m in the same boat with the best news you can have for an injury “you won’t be out of the game long.” Happy healing!
Oh no! I’m sorry that you are injured 🙁 Injuries suck!
I’m glad that you won’t be out of commission for a long time, I hope you heal quickly!
Sorry to hear that, Marcia. If it helps, I had problems with the TFL also, and it didn’t keep me out long at all with the right treatments. It can be a sign of glute imbalance since the TFL is picking up the slack of what the glute should be doing. If it makes you feel better, Meb has the same problem, and he just finished 4th in the Olympic marathon. 🙂
Sounds like a set back but hopefully not a long one.
Ugh!!!!!!!! I hope it’s nothing and easily overcame my dear!
Damn Marcia! I’m so sorry about your hip, but am glad you shut it down when you did! Hopefully the “hip voodoo” and rest will be all that you need to get going again. Fingers crossed!!
I’m so sorry to hear about the injury, but I hope you’ll be feeling significantly better after a little more time off. I also have weak hip/glutes and know that I should probably be doing more than I currently am to keep myself healthy!
Oh no! I’m glad you were smart and put on the breaks early! Hopefully, with a little voodoo, you’ll be back out there in no time at all!
Oh damn. I’m sorry. I’m glad you recognized it and went right away. But man injuries blow!
Such a bummer but I’m glad that a) you realized it early; b) listened to the injury; and c) the outlook is good. Hoping for the best!
So glad it’s not serious, Marcia! But what a bummer and totally frustrating! The life of a runner, huh? Hope you heal up quickly!
Yargh! I have never heard of that but I’m sending positive energy your way!! xo
Oh crap…but I’m glad that all is not lost!! Take care of yourself and I’m hoping it all corrects soon!
I’m mad at your hip! No fair. I really hope this short layoff does it for you.
And yes, I know all about the TFL b/c mine not firing well played a role in my nasty ITB injury. So boo to the TFL!
What Bobbi said!!
If those past injuries helped you to short-circuit this one, at least you get some benefit from them. Heal fast!
I’m so glad it’s not a horrible injury. One weekend off’s not the end of the world. I’d really like to know how someone so physically active and fit has weak hips. It seems like an epidemic – or a conspiracy to get us all doing one legged squats.
BOOOOOO to the injury but YAY that you won’t have to stop running for long. And you are running Denver RnR??? We need to meet up if you have time! 🙂
I save the ice packs that come from having a food package sent next day. They work so well! Glad the news is positive. That’s gotta be a good feeling.
Boooooo! Injuries suck! BUT…do EVERYTHING they say and hopefully you’ll be back in fighting form soon! Sending positive thoughts and STRENGTH your way!
Hope it heals up quickly for you!!!! I have a miracle voodoo sports chiro too that I love. I tried to get an appt by calling today about some foot pain that won’t leave me alone. The earliest I can get in is next Tuesday. Boo!
I hope this pain leaves as quickly as it set in! I completely understand your frustration (I really think I am pre-disposed to injury myself) and I hope some rest kicks its butt! I’ll be sending good thoughts in your direction!
Bummer. At least you got encouraging news from the Chiro. Hope you heal up fast!
Well hell, girl – what the heck!! You have had your fair share of injuries, you are not allowed to have any more. Sorry, but no, some other sap’s turn (just not mine, okay? Not that I’m running well…maybe an injury would be great as I’d have an excuse for my sorry self). Finger’s crossed for good news next week (tell me these things next time I text you!!)
You will be up and out the door in no time! Hang in there ;).
Phew! That’s probably the best bad news you could have gotten. Hopefully, you’ll be back up and running next week!
Ahh! Fingers crossed that his “you’ll be running soon diagnosis” is correct!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Shennanigans!!!! I’ve missed so much – sounds like you’re rebounding!!! Good job on recognizing and stoping before it got worse!
The word I hate to hear! You are doing all of the right things so rest up, and get better and you will be back out in no time.
Oh no! I missed blog reading for a few days and look what I missed. I totally hear you on the ‘if I don’t say it out loud, then maybe it’ll go away’ thing.
I hope you’re feeling better already. Going now to catch up on the rest of your blogs.