Thoughts- hold off until seen by the doc, or keep chugging along

AmandaDanceMore

I have an old injury that has not bothered me really at all for a couple of years, but recently, certain movements have become extremely painful, and my dance coach has finally scolded me enough that I'm calling my ortho tomorrow to see about getting it checked. However, I've been doing C25K (said issue only bothers me while jogging if I get sloppy in how I let my foot land), and have an actual 5K on the schedule. Should I continue to chug along with the program until told otherwise by the doctor (I have no idea how soon I'll be able to get in) or wait and get an idea on whether I'm dealing with something serious or not? I tend to "power through" a lot of things, depending on what it is (I find sore, stiff muscles feel better when they move), but this bothers me because I don't know WHAT I'm dealing with or how serious it is.

estherdragonbat

Not sure where you're located. Is there a free clinic or some other option for non-emergency care where you could get checked out?

scarlett_k

I would hold off. Some injuries can be made worse by powering through them and that's not a risk I would be willing to take. Maybe take some gentle strolls instead of running as walking is low impact compared to running.

impyimpyaj

My dad has a saying: if it hurts when you do that, don't do that. Soreness is one thing, but an actual injury that you would describe as extremely painful needs to be checked out. Powering through could make your injury much worse. You need to see a doc about it, and in the meantime, do exercises that don't put strain on that injury.

AmandaDanceMore

estherdragonbat wrote: »

Not sure where you're located. Is there a free clinic or some other option for non-emergency care where you could get checked out?

I have a doctor who treated me from initial injury to fully recovered, so rather not fool around with non-specialists for something that isn't hindering my day to day function. I'll call tomorrow to set up an appointment with him. Yesterday, my coach and I took some time to analyze what movements cause the pain since it isn't everything so that I can go in with an educated complaint (when I move like this this hurts here, instead of the generic "ow.").

Which is why I asked. Since it doesn't necessarily hurt to run (and when I say "run" I mean barely jog. I am not a runner), I can't decide if I should just continue as normal until told not to do, or hold off until told to proceed.

DebLaBounty

Well, I'd hold off. If you are feeling the pain when you jog when you "get sloppy with how my foot lands", you're in the danger zone.

Cherimoose

AmandaDanceMore wrote: »

said issue only bothers me while jogging if I get sloppy in how I let my foot land

Don't get sloppy. Be more attentive, don't listen to headphones, and don't run when tired.

AmandaDanceMore

Cherimoose wrote: »

AmandaDanceMore wrote: »

said issue only bothers me while jogging if I get sloppy in how I let my foot land

Don't get sloppy. Be more attentive, don't listen to headphones, and don't run when tired.

I work really hard not to be sloppy when I run because learning to run well has saved me from crippling shin splints and is allowing me to actually train for a 5k for the first time ever. But I do occasionally miss a step or two and get reminded by my body to pay attention..

cmriverside

Do what you want, you're gonna anyway. No way for us to answer - right? Trust your gut always.

lorrpb

Hold off unless you're looking for people to tell you to power thru. What did dance instructor suggest?

ninerbuff

It doesn't hurt when you run, but when you dance? Is it a knee issue?

A.C.E. Certified Personal and Group Fitness Trainer
IDEA Fitness member
Kickboxing Certified Instructor
Been in fitness for 30 years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition

AmandaDanceMore

ninerbuff wrote: »

It doesn't hurt when you run, but when you dance? Is it a knee issue?

A.C.E. Certified Personal and Group Fitness Trainer
IDEA Fitness member
Kickboxing Certified Instructor
Been in fitness for 30 years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition

I broke my tibia in a pretty spectacular manner a few years ago, which requires surgery, hardware, three months on crutches, etc. The pain is similar to a shin splint when It happens, over the fracture site, but doesn't linger like a shin splint would (may hurt momentarily or for a few minutes). Seems to be related to rising to my toes, or when my footwork requires a toe first footstep. Sooooo, when I run right and I'm not landing in my toes, it doesn't bother me.

That being said, I'm going to take it easy until my appointment (late next week). Basically just walk the dogs and work on things that keep me off my toes so much. I dread the potential of being laid up again, so I'll just suck it up and chill out until I know what the issue is.

AmandaDanceMore

Saw the doc today and I am a-ok! Fracture has healed well and all the hardware is in good shape (I found out that getting screws taken out would not be a big deal- I was really worried it would mean a lay up- but my doctor is with me that if they aren't being a significant bother than it's worth waiting). He is sending me for some PT just to deal with some weakness that will probably always be an issue ("you're never going to be perfect"), but generally the pain isn't an issue. Glad I went! Now I wish I could catch up on my C25K training!