My idea of a visit to the sports doctor was a trip to the orthopedist. Mind you I have repeated my “how my toes got numb” story multiple times now, so my “poor choice of footwear” response has been clearly defined. The appointment I had made was, at the choice of my health care insurance, made at a local orthopedist office, which I thought was going to be right in Easton, but it turns out its in Bethlehem. Oh well, so I drive. Free parking was a bonus, unless I just got lucky. When I’m finally seen, I get to repeat my story yet again, and have to clearly explain that the issue is not my knee, its my calf, and either they just do it as protocol but they ended up x-raying my knee, when the pain is in my calf. (Did I mention that already?) I’m a little frustrated as to why they wanted to x-ray my knee for calf pain, did not make any sense to me at all.
The doctor, after reading my x-ray, and determining that it was not my knee at all, said I had tendonitis along my calf and that Physical Therapy would help. OK great, let’s get this fixed ASAP.
Keep in mind, both the foot doctor and the orthopedist did not tell me to stop playing sports, running, etc. They both did not give me any restrictions, other than comfortable shoes and obviously not those heels again.
I’ve never been to physical therapy before, but had plenty of conversations with people who did. My first appointment was an evaluation, a “let’s see where the pain is coming from” evaluation. Not poking and prodding but stretching, bending, extending. It was not painful at all if you got that from my description. After putting me in uncomfortable extended positions, mostly related to extending my back, I was given 3 exercises to do 3x a day until my next session. At this point he wasn’t convinced it was my back, neck or anything else. He was convinced it was a muscle irritation caused by a nerve that was irritated. OK no problem, he’s the expert. I continue with PT for the next week and realize that the exercises they want me to do, are helping and are helping my posture. (Did I mention I have slight scoliosis?) Anyway, amazing how many things can be affected by just your back. So although I continue to run, play softball, I have limited my strength training since attending PT. I can’t wait to hear what my follow up with the higher level sports doctor has to report!