Down And Out...

By Frank

As some of my friends will know, I suffered a fall a few days ago before the Great Eastern Pacesetters 30KM 2009 race. It was a pretty bad one as I fell at the last 2 steps going up the stairs at home, and landing on both my knees. Not knowing the extent of the damage done, I still went on for the 30KM race. Friends will know my stubbornness that unless I can’t walk, seriously hurt or lying motionless, I will still go for an event that I have already signed up. Not setting a good example here, but that’s just me.

The end results were a ruptured right patella and an inflamed right Piriformis muscle. That explains the reason that I experience severe pain throughout the run.

Things were going fine after the race coupled with stretches and recovery supplements. Still managed to blog about my race experience before going for my recovery nap. It was then when I awoke, I felt an extreme pain on my right knee up till my gluteus. Sensing something bad has happened, I had no choice but to pay a visit to a nearby specialist hospital. Was lucky that it was still open despite it was already in the evening. However, it was still a long wait as most probably, the doctors were away for dinner. Feeling lonely and down, I decided to first break the news to Lynn which kind of caught her by surprise.

After near to an hour, it was time to perform my bone scan before waiting again for the results. Once the results are out, it was time for some “mumbo jumbo” consultation with the doctor in charge which again was a long one. It was confirmed through the scan that my right patella suffered some minor fracture during my fall which was made worst from the run earlier. I refused my right knee to be casted as it will mean going on crutches. Not a very good sight with the festive season around the corner. Besides, it’s going to be tough living the days with it.

A lateral view of the patella and it's surroundings...

The inflamed Piriformis muscle was caused by the pressure from the knee which travelled up the gluteus hence rubbing the muscle wall. At this time, I was just glad that it wasn’t my Iliotibial Band that was hurting as it will mean that I will be sideline for a very long time.

A posterior view of the Piriformis muscle and it's surroundings...

No running or leg exercises for a minimum of 2 months, says the doctor. In addition, I have to limit my leg movements especially at the knee area. I do have to agree with the banning of leg exercises, but as the stubborn person I am, I may be back running again in less than 2 months. At the time of writing this, I have set myself to return on 8 March 2009 to have a test run on a running event I can’t miss, running around the National Zoo compound in a run organize by Choi, the Wild Wild Run 2009.

To Lynn and the rest of the “Platinum Runners”, THANKS for all the concerns and encouragements given. As I become grumpy, you all certainly made my day brighter. Till I return, happy running as I cheer you all from the sidelines.