I kind of wish it was Runfession Friday because I’ve got a doozy. I’ll cut to the chase. I went out for a quick run last week that put me on the injured reserve list. Behind my right knee/high calf, deep inside, was a little tight, as it sometimes is. I tell myself it’s a varicose vein or something, even though I really have no clue what it is. What I do know is the tightness vanishes soon after I start running so I forget about it. Smart, right?
Except this time the tightness didn’t subside. It increased gradually until by 2.5 miles I stopped to walk. When I tried to run again I couldn’t. It hurt too much. By the time I got home, even walking was difficult. The pain grew and grew. It swelled behind my knee. All sorts of scenarios crossed my mind. Was it a blood clot? I took a baby aspirin just in case. Should I drive myself to Emergency to be safe? Could it be a hamstring issue at the opposite end of where I usually have hamstring issues? A baker’s cyst? A ligament? Tendon? What the hell is it?
RICE commenced. I could barely walk the dogs. I hoped the neighbors wouldn’t notice my limp.
Bedtime was a freakshow. My leg stiffened up something fierce. All I could do was lie on my back and keep it as straight as possible. Upon waking even the thought of moving was painful. Putting on pants and socks was like a circus act.
I waited for Dr. Miracle’s office to open and bless his heart he saw me immediately.
He put me through some movements and promptly ruled out a tendon or ligament issue. That left one of two things: A strained popliteus (what?). That’s a muscle deep behind the knee under the calf muscles.
Or…
That 3-syllable “M” word that makes a runner’s blood run cold. Meniscus tear.
Dr. M did some voodoo therapy which helped me regain a tiny bit of motion but warned me: If I don’t start seeing improvement within the next few days, he’d send me to Orthopedics for an MRI because, you know….that meniscus. Noooo!
The Carlsbad all-day 20k later this month flashed before my eyes. I’d be sad, but actually it wouldn’t break my heart to skip that. But a meniscus tear would change everything. There’d be surgery. I’d be out of running for a good long time. When would I EVER finish the remaining 2 World Marathon Majors??
So I’ve been a model patient. Ice on, ice off. Compression. Resting like a boss. Pretending to be positive. Pretending that if I keep this my little secret, it isn’t real. I’m the queen of muscle strains, after all, I can handle a muscle strain. But a torn meniscus? I’ll do anything to live to run another day.
Ever had knee problems? Been in denial about an injury?
Oh no, I’m sorry to hear this! I’ve had problems in that area before and I think it came down to a tight calf. It’s such a weird spot though and there is so much going on there. Fingers crossed its nothing serious!
Oh crap, Marcia I’m so sorry! Hopefully, it is nothing more than some crazy muscle strain. I’m sending you lots of positive thoughts and energy – when do you see Dr. M again?
Ummmm, knee probs. Hmmm. Your scare sounds much like my hubby’s “little” episode yesterday following our race. He couldn’t even stand on his right foot because his knee was so swollen and in agony. He kept saying “something behind my knee” hurts. Thankfully, a trip to the ER and fluid extraction from said knee had him feeling much better…but he’s still hobbling around with a nasty gimp and has orders to stay off his feet for a couple weeks. Gosh, I hope your injury heals quickly and is not as bad as it has the potential to be. ((hugs))
Behind the knee? I wouldn’t think that would be a meniscus tear. But what do I know? I hope I’m right. Fingers crossed it’s nothing.
We all deny injuries. We’re runners. lol
I had a meniscus tear from tennis. I didn’t get surgery and it healed itself. Exercises, rest and a brace.
Hope your injury is minor!!
Oh no! So sorry to hear this. I’m hoping it’s the popliteal muscle and not your meniscus!!
Well I am always in denial about injuries even when I had a stress fracture. Crossing fingers for you that with lot of rest and ice it will heal up.
As an injured runner myself, I really hope it’s not a meniscus tear! Keeping my fingers crossed that’s its something more minor…without surgery.
Good luck!
Weird…my comment showed up under someone else!
As an injured runner myself, I really hope it’s not a meniscus tear! Keeping my fingers crossed that’s its something more minor…without surgery.
Good luck!
Oh no! I’m so sorry to hear that you are injured. While I’ve had my share of knee issues (runners knee, IT band issues on both legs), I’ve never had this particular injury. I really hope that the RICE helps and that you see a lot of improvement soon!
My knees are definitely a problem area for me. Right now I’m dealing with runner’s knee. Which surprised the heck out of me, but it is what it is.
I hope that whatever it is for you, it heals up without surgery.
Oh.freaking.no. Don’t panic! Those docs like to throw out all sorts of dramatic diagnosis. LOL. Hopefully this will pass quickly and without the need for surgery. All the good juju coming your way… And hugs… Thanks for linking!
Oh, no! I do hope whatever it is gets better. Also, I have heard that even a torn meniscus may not require surgery. Fingers crossed for you!
Oh my goodness, I am so sorry to hear that you have fighting through an injury. I always feel for runners when I hear about that. I just can’t imagine how frustrating it can be. Just take it easy. Hopefully you don’t have any races coming up and you can just relax and maybe it’ll work itself out.
Oh no! Is your knee clicking? I hope it’s not a meniscus tear.
That doesn’t sound like meniscus to me. Hopefully just a strain. Feeling any better? Did you schedule an MRI? Keep us posted. Hoping for the best!
Oh I’m so sorry, Marcia. I hope you see improvement this week after taking off from running. Yes, I am the queen of knee problems on both knees. 4 years ago I had an IT Band injury that put me down for a month. 3 years ago it was “runner’s knee.” I trained too hard for my first marathon and ran it on one good knee. KT Tape helped it stay in place and I made it barely before the 6 hour cutoff. I sure hope you knee feels better this week and you get good news!!
What is up with knees lately? They are being jerks to so many of us runners these days :(. Hoping that you don’t have a meniscus tear. I have definitely had discomfort in that area (I currently have super tight calves thanks to too many calf raises in barre class yesterday). I’m glad you got to see the Doc!
OH NO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I hope not the worst one!
You know me and my old knees. Collagen, knee braces & my fave TRB-EDC balms! 🙂
Oh no…I hope it’s not a torn meniscus. Fingers crossed for you and hopefully quick healing.
I really hope it is just an aggravated popliteus. I have one knee that has been through the wringer with ACL, MCL and meniscus tears. Not fun.
Oh Marcia! I hate to hear this but I’m also glad that I didn’t read this until after your IG post today! So glad to hear the good news that it’s not a meniscus tear. Take it easy, rehab and you’ll be back in no time!
Oh, no! I’m glad it’s not a meniscus tear, but it stinks to be sidelined like that!
Try to take it easy and do whatever is recommended to get back to it.
I had a bad ligament back in college, but haven’t felt that in years. And there is definitely some residual weakness in my hip flexor from an injury two years ago (which I flat out ignored for months). The i-word is terrifying for any athlete. Lots of hugs to you.
Oh no! I’m so sorry to hear about the injury. My mom had a meniscus tear a few years back and I know it was tough to heal from that. I wish you the best of luck in your recovery!
Oh no, I’m so sorry Marcia! I hope that your recovery is smooth sailing and that you’re back out there running sooner than later.
That sounds painful 🙁