What sounds like an amplified washing machine and jackhammer operating in symphony?
An MRI.
It’s been a full month since I’ve done any exercise. Not exactly what you’d expect on a blog about fitness and triathlons.
I started having trouble running in May, with occasional, nagging knee pain. It wasn’t anything serious, and I thought I just needed a break. I kept my runs short and infrequent. Sometimes my knee would hurt, and I’d stop and walk, or cut my run short. It rarely hurt after I’d finished a run- maybe only once.
Then on June 5th I ran a 6 mile relay leg.
The pain kicked in and never stopped.
After several days of not being able to walk, I knew it was time for a doctor’s visit.
The report: possible meniscus tear
The prescription: 100% rest & ice
The follow-up: come back in 2 weeks if it still hurts
Well, after last week’s beach trip, I finally waved the white flag and headed back to the doctor.
I had 2 choices: sit around and wait for it to get better, or get an MRI.
As much as I didn’t want to, I chose option B.
So yesterday I spent the afternoon getting an MRI done of my knee.
The sign sounded like a promising place to go for a running injury….but really, it was just an empty building with this in the back:
A mobile MRI trailer. Who knew?
MRIs are loud, obnoxious, and take a lot longer than an x-ray, but are completely painless and not a big deal when it really comes down to it. You lie on a table that slides into a big cylinder that makes a ton of noise- so much that they give you ear plugs. If it weren’t so noisy it might actually be relaxing. 
(Not me)
Of course the tech wasn’t allowed to tell me what she saw, but I asked to see the pictures anyways. It’s always cool to see your insides! (I really wanted to take a picture but, as expected, that was frowned upon.)
With my expert radiologic knowledge, I diagnose myself as tear free!!
Haha. But really, I know what a bad tear looks like and I didn’t see anything, so I’m hoping it’s either nonexistent or reallllllly small. I’m still supposed to be resting until Monday- let’s hope I can make it. I’m bored, restless, and frustrated that I’m completely untrained for my next triathlon in 7 weeks, but I know 6 more days isn’t going to kill me. I’d rather rest for 6 more days than delay healing any longer. But still….sigh.
Nothing like injuries to make you appreciate what you’re able to accomplish with your body. Amazing, huh?
{ 12 comments… read them below or chime in }
Those things are loud! I find the hardest thing is to sit still. Suddenly, once I’m in there, all I want to do is move my leg. I also desperately tried to diagnose myself from my film. I was sure I saw a tear. Um, yeah, totally wrong there. I hope it’s nothing serious! I mean, I’ve had a ton of fun with my knee injuries and all, but at some point it gets so old.
One of my running partners just suffered a pretty serious injury that will have her out for weeks. It really made me think about how much we put our body through and what it has so far been able to put up with. Good luck with your continued healing. I hope that you feel better soon!
I’ll be keeping my fingers crossed for you!
Fingers crossed!
I have had two MRI’s and they are freaking loud! Haha.
Hopefully there is no tear! What is the alternate diagnosis? ITBS?
definitely have my fingers crossed for you!
Definitely sending good vibes your way, girl! Fingers crossed!!!
I totally have my fingers double and triple crossed for you!!!!
Your last thought is so true!
Sometimes I still think though…’okay i’ve learned my lesson…can’t i just be better now?!’
I hope it’s nothing! My best friend had quite a tear and was out for a good six months. Of course, she ran on it for 9 months after she tore it and didn’t bother getting it checked up! She’s much more careful now!
When I had my MRI, I was amazed at how still I kept the entire time. I had yoga to thank. Pre-yoga Ulyana would not have survived that noisy, be-still-all-the-time torture.
oh, and, of course, i’m with others – hope you just need to sit this one out and that’s all
-ulyana