Frustration

[Shaderon]

Last night in training I ran into a major problem.

Some years ago I fell over while drunk.... I ripped the achillies tendon in my right foot and I couldn't walk properly for a month. When I say properly I mean without pain or tenderness. I was on crutches for two weeks even though the doctor said I was to try without, as I couldn't put any weight on the leg without the ankle buckling. Two years later I twisted my ankle on a curb stone and it happened again, luckily I had my mother with me and she could take my daughter off me and get my car, my daughter was 6 months old at the time and I was carrying her so I wouldn't have managed without my mum.

Last night while doing "front turning kick to side kick" combos the ankle starting hurting on the achillies tendon. I know I've got to RICE it (Rest, Ice, Compression, Elevation) but I also know it'll be out of commision for 2 weeks at least now. I've my seminar and grading up in two weeks...

*tears hair out* I can't bear the frustration of having to say "sorry I can't do that bit today". Luckily Da Boss is watching me to stop me doing anything stupid, I got a lecture last night about training with injuries after I tried to go on *blush* but it's so annoying!!!! :rpo:

Sorry, I just needed to tell someone who knows what it's like to be dedicated enough to hate having to stop training for a while. :wah:

I can still do patterns and arm work, as long as I don't do any high impact stuff or kicking. *sigh*

[Drac]

I feel your pain..I was a bouncer for a few years and got into a serious beef on night and wound up breaking my 5th metatarsal..This was the night before taking the State exam for school bus driver...I simple jammed my foot into a combat boot and laced it tight as I could..I passed the test without incident..
However when I removed the boot after I got home I foot ballooned up and I was cruthches for the weekend...

[Tarot]

*nod* Totally understand. Last year I dislocated my knee. I was out of training for a month and a half. And when I could get back on the mat I still had to take it easy and not do everything. Very frustrating!

I hope you feel better soon though! Perhaps it will heal quicker than you think this time around. :)

[Shaderon]

Thanks Drac, Tarot, I hope it'll heal quicker too, especially since I caught it before it ripped again ( I hope).

*smiles*

[Yeti]

Yup...I've been there too.
I took a sidekick to the ribs while sparring a week before my green belt test and broke one of them. I couldn't even breathe let alone train. I was out of commission for a month, and missed my test. Luckily, my instructor gave me a private "make-up" test once I returned.

Good luck. Do what you can but don't push it. This might be a good time to work on your hand techniques.

[Brian R. VanCise]

My last major injury was a torn labrum in my shoulder. (yikes) I was told by two surgeons that it would never heal. Fortunately I must be a quick healer because after around nine months I was back to normal. Still that shoulder is a little more tight than my other shoulder. http://www.martialtalk.com/forum/images/icons/icon9.gif Hang in there and rest your injury and then continue on. Good luck.

[morph4me]

Been there, done that. After many years of jumping back in and trying to train before recovering from injuries it finally sank in, if you try training before you are completely healed, you get to sit out for twice as long, and that's twice as frustrating. I finally learned to listen to my body ( it took awhile, I'm not always the sharpest crayon in the box). I know it's frustrating, but take a deep breath, do what you can do, and let yourself heal.

[MJS]

Unfortunately, it seems like there are certain body parts that once injured, they can be reinjured very easily. Take the back for example. I've pulled muscles while lifting. Hurts like hell and limits you alot. Sometimes, just moving or turning the wrong way, even with normal movement, could be enough to throw it out. My Father is the same way with his back.

I'm not a doctor, so I don't know if there are any exercises you can do to strengthen your foot. In any case, take it easy. Don't push yourself. You may also want to look into wrapping your foot somehow, for some extra support. :)

Mike

[shesulsa]

Hey Shaderon, have you seen an ankle specialist?

[Brother John]

Wow....I'm sorry you're having to deal with that.
Keep the faith though!! You'll make it. It'll take time and care but you can do it.
check with your doctor, maybe if it's causing you such problems, they could send you to a physical therapist....?

Also: I'm going to REALLy stick my neck out there and say something that's probably going to get me a little BOOO'd by some..
but if you have this very nasty injury to your lower leg/foot:uhohh:
then maybe ITF Tae Kwan Do isn't the martial art for you??:confused:
:idunno:
TKD is VERY kicking intensive, such as in that drill you were doing.
I have NOTHING against TKD, I did it for years and had a good time!
But THAT particular injury sounds like something that could easily re-occur and TKD is hard (HARD) on the joints below the belly-button!!!!

You needn't give up martial arts..
but would you be open to trying a different one??
HARD to start over, but it's harder to quit due to a potentially debilitating injury!

Your Brother
John

[The Kidd]

I know what it is like to be frustrated over an injury (going thru Physical Therapy as we speak) keep your chin up your in our thoughts.

[exile]

Hey Shaderon, have you seen an ankle specialist?

Yes, yes, yes, this you must do, Shaderon!! You can save yourself a world of grief by getting medically expert input on this from the start. I would just add to Shesulsa's advice, seek out someone who's a specialist in sports medicine—it's a specialized branch of medical training, and the sport medicine practitioners are often hard-training people themselves, so they understand (i) your frustrations, (ii) your temptations, and (iii) the state of the art treatments to get you back in the game, safely, at the earlierst possible chance.

My most recent serious MA-related injury was breaking my hand a couple of years ago on a punch-break on a stack of boards; just a tiny misalignent of your fist and you're toast—or at least, I was :(. When I sought out treatment at my university's sports medicine center, I was directed to a doctor who specializes in hand repair—it's that specialized. Not only that, but when I was out of the splint and into physiotherapy, my physio person was also a hand/arm specialist. So if you can find a sport medicine specialist who focuses on leg/foot injuries, you could well save yourself an awful lot of trouble down the line...

...and good luck on your recovery, Shaderon!

[Shaderon]

Hey Shaderon, have you seen an ankle specialist?

Thanks for that Shesulsa, and Exile, I never thought of it. I might just get my doctor to refer me. When I first did it a doctor at the hospital looked at it and I never thought that I might need a specialist but if it's reoccurring then it's possible I should. My medical insurance renews on the 1st April so I could get someone to do it then.

Brother John,

Sorry I can understand what you are saying, but TKD is my passion and I have been doing this for 10 months now without problem. The problem has come mainly from my running, the constant high impact on my achillies tendon. I ran 7k on Sunday and felt that it wasn't quite right, on Monday when I trained there was no problem as we didn't do that much kicking work, but last night it flared up.

If I give anything up it'll be the running, I can just stick to doing 3k a week like I used to do and if I am careful with it, then I can't see that being a problem. I know what you are saying, but I took a long time to find MY art, and ITF TKD is my art. It's where my heart is.

My heart seems to be in my feet.... O_o

[Drac]

the problem has come mainly from my running, the constant high impact on my achillies tendon. I ran 7k on Sunday and felt that it wasn't quite right, on Monday when I trained there was no problem as we didn't do that much kicking work, but last night it flared up.

If I give anything up it'll be the running,

I was just going to mention that you might have to give up one of your passions or risk doing some REAL serious damage..

[bluekey88]

I truly do feel your pain. $ 1/2 months ago I blew out the ACL in my right knee a few weeks before I was scheduled for my blackbelt test. The hardest thing to do was to admit I was in bad shape and let go of that test. It's been even harder being out of training for so long (but I just got word I can start back...yeah!!).

I concur with a number of the folks here and get that ankle looked at. It's possible that this can be corrected (or that you need to take special precautions). Better safe than injured. :) You have to be nice to yourself especially since you're a parent (the little ones are counting on you :) ).

Hang in there. Keep your hed in the game (I spent my time off reviewing poomse, one-steps and swelf defense pattersn in my head and doing a lot of mental training) and get that ankle looked at. Then do exactly what the doctor says....you'll be back before you know it.

Peace,
Erik

[Shaderon]

Yes sirs! *giggle* As you lot outrank me I reckon it's the appropriate form of address... :wink:

I've been talking to a few friends here at work and have decided that once I've ran my 10k for chairty in May, I'm going to stop running so much. I might just take up cycling instead and see if that makes a difference. My training before May is going to slow down now, I won't do such a long run every week, I'll just do a couple nearer the time but do more interval work instead.

Thanks for the support people.

[still learning]

Hello, It is hard when you have injuries, most of us do not want to miss training.

Time for healing is very important (RICE). Excellant advise from your Doctors.

My son is on the High School wrestling team (a Senior), and tomorrow they go Oahu (capitol Island of Hawaii), for the State Wrestling Championship. He injury the top portion of his right foot on Monday, Doctors and X-rays (was no broken bones)...said (RICE) ..rest..ice,compress and elevation.

He is still hurting and recovering slowly...WANTS to wrestle and believes he will be ready, (still walks with a limp).

Injuries are a part of life...accept them...make the best it and try to do the same things differently.

This is a good time to try learning or help teaching while injured. Many times you will be seeing things from a different point of view (outside looking in) will open new insights and growth to your training.

RICE always..........Aloha (Take-care!)

[Kacey]

Shaderon - please be careful with recurrent injuries. My assistant instructor herniated a disk in his back 5 or 6 years ago, and didn't receive proper treatment (he's from England, and blames the socialized medical system - they did the minimum necessary and stopped); he reinjured it last summer, and hasn't come back from it yet - he was getting there when his wife asked him to move furniture around Christmas (she had a baby Tuesday night, so she was about 6 months pregnant then - that's why she didn't do it) and reinjured it... he hasn't been in class since - although he's about to be cleared by his doctor, so as soon as his wife and baby are ready to be without him during class, he'll be back.

Still, injury/illness notwithstanding, you will still be able to continue - it just might take longer. A woman I used to know went to the doctor the week before testing for II Dan (ITF TKD) because she had a recurring problem with nausea - it turned out to be a benign tumor in her abdomen that was pressing on her stomach and intestines; she tried to talk the doctor into waiting until after testing to remove it, which he wouldn't do - she missed that testing and tested successfully 6 months later. Life happens - TKD will be there when you've been properly treated and healed up.

[jdinca]

I HATE sitting on the sidelines. That said, you can learn quite a bit just by observation. As for what you can do, focus on it and really refine it. When the leg works again, you'll be that much farther ahead.

[lostinseattle]

Sorry, I just needed to tell someone who knows what it's like to be dedicated enough to hate having to stop training for a while. :wah:

I can still do patterns and arm work, as long as I don't do any high impact stuff or kicking. *sigh*

Yeah I had to quit for 2 months once, and other times for weeks.

It's one of those dangers of training. You just have to be careful and maybe take up something with some less acrobatic maneuvers but this type of stuff does happen and if you force it, you'll only make the injury worse and possibly permanent.

So you're not alone.

[Ceicei]

I had wrist damage from Jujitsu and two surgeries (one minor in-office and one major in hospital) to treat it. It took me about four months to recover then I eased back into training slowly. By six months, my wrist is as good as new, no pain.

With your ankle, it helps to see a medical specialist well versed with sports-related injuries and if necessary, a sports physical therapist for strengthening.

- Ceicei

[Shaderon]

Thanks everyone, I've got an appointment with my GP tomorrow, I'm going to ask them to refer me to a sports related knee/ankle specialist I've heard is in my area.

Keep your fingers crossed for me.

The ankle has been a little achy over the weekend and I didn't run, contrary to my husbands opinion I CAN do what I'm told when I see the sense in it ;) It's training tonight, I'll see what da boss says and maybe sit out the kicking stuff. I do have to train though, it's the start of the grading process this week.

[exile]

Thanks everyone, I've got an appointment with my GP tomorrow, I'm going to ask them to refer me to a sports related knee/ankle specialist I've heard is in my area.

Excellent, Shaderon. Since it's a soft tissue problem, you might need to get an MRI done, not a big deal, but a few years ago I had to have one done for a very bad shoulder injury and the thing was bloody noisy.



Keep your fingers crossed for me.

We will!


The ankle has been a little achy over the weekend and I didn't run, contrary to my husbands opinion I CAN do what I'm told when I see the sense in it ;) It's training tonight, I'll see what da boss says and maybe sit out the kicking stuff. I do have to train though, it's the start of the grading process this week.

What techs are they going to be examining you on? Are there hand techs (wrist releases, that sort of thing) that you need to cover and can focus on while you're awaiting word on your ankle?

[Drac]

Thanks everyone, I've got an appointment with my GP tomorrow, I'm going to ask them to refer me to a sports related knee/ankle specialist I've heard is in my area.

Keep your fingers crossed for me.

They are crossed m'dear....


I'll see what da boss says and maybe sit out the kicking stuff. I do have to train though, it's the start of the grading process this week.

My first exam was terrible, but what I lacked in kicking techniques I made up for with hand and arm techniques..

[Shaderon]

What techs are they going to be examining you on? Are there hand techs (wrist releases, that sort of thing) that you need to cover and can focus on while you're awaiting word on your ankle?

We don't do wrist release sorts of thing until much higher up, we learn it, but it's not graded on until you are actually teaching it someone else. (In our school the higher grades teach the lower grades self defence), I know that sounds odd but the exams are long enough as it is.

It's probably easier to describe our exam process which I think may be a bit different from yours.
Well the process goes something like this:

Arrive and line up, Examiner arrives and we go through a light on the spot warm up with the senior instructor of our school. We do the two patterns of the lowest rank, then their techniques, the lowest ranks get asked their Korean terminology questions and the questions relating to thier patterns and ranks (belt colours etc), then they go sit down. We then do the patterns and techniques of the next ranks.... then their questions then it's us.

The next phase, starts with us 8th kups and belows getting up back into line, pairing up with the person next to us and doing "set sparring". Then after we've all been watched for what seems an eternity, we sit down and the 7th kups and above do thiers.

The techniques we do are blocking and kicking, we do it on our own though and no pads, just solo drills. My techniques for my grade are
-> Middle knife hand guarding block (part of pattern)
-> Lower outer forearm block (part of pattern)
-> Twin forearm block (the one that blocks the head) (part of pattern and seperate)
-> Outer forearm rising block (part of pattern)
-> Middle knife hand strike (part of pattern)
-> High forefist punch (part of pattern)
-> Middle Outer forearm inward block, followed by a middle backfist strike (seperate to pattern)
-> Wedging Block (seperate to pattern)

So for an 8th kup the techniques are really all upper body ones, but I do have to do 10th and 9th kups as well which are Front snap kick and side kick.

The final phase is sparring, 8th kup and below do no contact or light contact sparring (if both have sparring equipment) for three rounds picking a different partner for each round, after that the 7th kups and above do light contact sparring (they must have sparring equipment).


I'd be interested in what format your colour belt grading takes... I'll open another thread.

[exile]

It's probably easier to describe our exam process which I think may be a bit different from yours.
Well the process goes something like this:

... ...

... So for an 8th kup the techniques are really all upper body ones, but I do have to do 10th and 9th kups as well which are Front snap kick and side kick.


OK, well, that's encouraging anyway—sounds like you have plenty to work on just doing hand/arm techs. When you see your MD, you might consider asking her/him if demoing those two kicks for exam purposes would be OK. S/he might simply want you to tape up the joint a bit with an ace bandage or whatever and generally go easy on it for six wees, in which case, a demo kind of kick might be allowed. So as long as you stay off it, you'd be OK to actually do it in the exam, that sort of thing.

BTW, make sure your instructor is fully up to speed on your injury as well!

[Shaderon]

BTW, make sure your instructor is fully up to speed on your injury as well!


As he is my Personal Trainer as well, and I get 1/2 hour chat with him before my lesson starts, most weeks just the two of us, ... he gets tales of everything to do with my fitness and injuries lol... He's got no choice but to listen... I can talk for hours! :soapbox:


Seriously, he's a total gem, looks after me and appreciates how honest I am about this stuff so no worries there.

Thanks for the advice though. :)

[exile]

As he is my Personal Trainer as well, and I get 1/2 hour chat with him before my lesson starts, most weeks just the two of us, ... he gets tales of everything to do with my fitness and injuries lol... He's got no choice but to listen... I can talk for hours! :soapbox:


Seriously, he's a total gem, looks after me and appreciates how honest I am about this stuff so no worries there.


Ah, that's prefect. As a personal trainer he knows pretty much just what is reasonable to ask of someone who's testing hurt. So no worries on that score, at least..

[Shaderon]

Update:
Last night I took off my support (If I hadn't I'd have been on my backside more than my feet through a slippy floor) and had a gentle attempt on some kicking (under the watchful eagle eyes of da boss) and, it doesn't hurt... not one little bit! I tried front turning kick to back kicks against the pad. I promised I'd stop if it even twinged but nothing! I even did jumping back kicks!!! :boing1:

I'm still not going to run until Sunday, but I must have caught it in time :) I'm still not stupid enough to assume I'm fully fighting fit and I'm still wearing the support the rest of the time, but it's working. :boing2:

[shesulsa]

Good! Sounds like restriction and rest are helping!

Good luck with your doctor's appointment today - let us know how it turns out.

[Brother John]

Brother John,
Sorry I can understand what you are saying, but TKD is my passion

I know what you are saying, but I took a long time to find MY art, and ITF TKD is my art. It's where my heart is.

My heart seems to be in my feet.... O_o
I admire your dedication and determination then. Seriously!

All the best and good luck in your recouperation.
(Try a glider for the cardio work, better on the joints and whatnot)

Your Brother
John

[Shaderon]

I admire your dedication and determination then. Seriously!

All the best and good luck in your recouperation.
(Try a glider for the cardio work, better on the joints and whatnot)

Your Brother
John

Thanks I'll have a go, I think the gliders are called Cross Trainers here, please correct me if you know different.

Ok I went to the docs, I didn't post straight away because I wanted to try a couple of things first to see how they went. I've been told the doc disagrees with the hospital's original diagnosis. She has experience in sports related stuff and she's come across exactly my problem before.

She says as I was drunk and therefore more relaxed I probably only pulled the Achillies Tendon and had resulting tendonitis rather then snapping it, the recovery time on her computer records agree with this, but the act of going over on the side of my foot will have tore open all the muscles and ligaments, especially the Cruciate ligament and the Peroneus tertius nice picture here (http://education.yahoo.com/reference/gray/illustrations/figure;_ylt=Ak6YR0TeiPvZ5QcDd.jISSZtHokC?id=441), and caused a lot of bruising and swelling inside the foot. I've been put on a course of anti-inflammatories and told to wear my support bandage whenever I can, I've to ice-pack it and she's writing me a referral to a physio. The physio is being asked to determine the extent of the scar tissue and to report back while trying to build up the foot strength again. If they both feel it neccessary I shall be sent for scans etc at the hospital, but that could take months and with doing TKD, I need a diagnosis faster than that.

I like my doctor, she's fantastic, she really gave me the impression she knew what she was talking about and got pictures out to show me.

Only thing is, I don't know if the ice packs are working, but they are making my foot ache the next day... I know it's them because I didn't do it on Wednesday and no aching.. I did it last night for 1/2 hour and it aches like anything now! *ouch*

Anyone have any experience of aching because of ice packs?

[Jdokan]

Been there, done that. After many years of jumping back in and trying to train before recovering from injuries it finally sank in, if you try training before you are completely healed, you get to sit out for twice as long, and that's twice as frustrating. I finally learned to listen to my body ( it took awhile, I'm not always the sharpest crayon in the box). I know it's frustrating, but take a deep breath, do what you can do, and let yourself heal.
Great point made here.....I labored with a very bad r/shoulder for close to 8 mos...just start getting better and somebody would do some technique that rotated the *&&^ out of it and I would be hurt all over again....Finally I took a month off then 2, turning out to be 9 months....went back traing last Sept and have been training hard as I ever did without the pain or injury.....I have the next 30 (if I live that long) years to train I no longer worry about being out of the Dojo a few months.........
For what that's worth.....
Peace
J,

[exile]

Anyone have any experience of aching because of ice packs?

I've used ice packs and frozen gelpacks and so on for various injuries and I've noticed that the cold can make your skin and whatever's under it ache, quite apart from the original injury. That might be part of it...

[searcher]

I've used ice packs and frozen gelpacks and so on for various injuries and I've noticed that the cold can make your skin and whatever's under it ache, quite apart from the original injury. That might be part of it...


Funny you should bring that up. The problem is that the pain you are feeing is a form of frostbite. It is best to have a hand towel between the skin and the ice/cold pack. Just thought I would add thislittle tidbit of free info.http://www.martialtalk.com/forum/images/icons/icon10.gif

[Shaderon]

Searcher - thanks, I used a towel, I think I applied to ice for too long, thanks.

Anyway here's an update on the ankle thing.

Last night just before class I went to see the Physio, for my first of 10 free sessions (paid for my my employer). She manipulated it, looked at the way I stood, tested my strength and poked, prodded, questioned and near tore my foot off. Felt good! Like an intensive massage.

The theory she came up with is that I have lots of scar tissue in my Achillies tendon which is causing things to rub and pull a bit as it's quite thick, but it moves well which is why I don't have a lot of problems with it, and I have tendonitis in the tendon which joins my big toe to my bones. The sheath that the tendon goes through to seperate it from, and stop it rubbing on the Cruciate ligament (the one which goes across the foot to hold everything together) is inflammed and the rubbing the inflammation causes, increases the inflammation so it's a vicious circle.

So she's lasered my foot, sounds painful but it's not, it's to promote healing and get the blood supply flowing, apparantly the blood supply in that area is notoriously rubbish so it needs help. She also did some treatment on my achillies tendon scar tissue with an ultrasound machine... not one that gives a picture, just one that makes the tissue vibrate and knocks it around a bit so it breaks down a little and gets more flexible. Anyway the foot ached last night, especially since the boss got us doing flying kicks (I'll strangle the b****r) but since the physio said I can do anything but run 5 miles... well I did it with enthusiasm (and at one point I did a side flying kick extremely well for a first attempt *self congratulatory grin*).

Anyway I'm back at the physio tomorrow night, just before training again. She says I am to go twice a week for laser and ultrasound treatment so we can get this foot fixed. My left foot is actually over three times stronger than my right foot, which is odd since I'm right handed but makes sense of the problems I'm having breaking with the right foot. So it's obvious there's a major problem there, I've got excercises to do with a resistance band, and the foot feels funny today... a little light and more flexible than I am used to.

I've also got a tournament on Saturday, I'm excited as it's my first one, I've got butterflies already so I know darned well I'll get stage fright on Saturday morning, I'm known for it now. Someone hug me!!!! I need a hug... anyone!

[morph4me]

:hugs:

[kidswarrior]

Searcher - thanks, I used a towel, I think I applied to ice for too long, thanks.

Anyway here's an update on the ankle thing.

Last night just before class I went to see the Physio, for my first of 10 free sessions (paid for my my employer). She manipulated it, looked at the way I stood, tested my strength and poked, prodded, questioned and near tore my foot off. Felt good! Like an intensive massage.

The theory she came up with is that I have lots of scar tissue in my Achillies tendon which is causing things to rub and pull a bit as it's quite thick, but it moves well which is why I don't have a lot of problems with it, and I have tendonitis in the tendon which joins my big toe to my bones. The sheath that the tendon goes through to seperate it from, and stop it rubbing on the Cruciate ligament (the one which goes across the foot to hold everything together) is inflammed and the rubbing the inflammation causes, increases the inflammation so it's a vicious circle.

So she's lasered my foot, sounds painful but it's not, it's to promote healing and get the blood supply flowing, apparantly the blood supply in that area is notoriously rubbish so it needs help. She also did some treatment on my achillies tendon scar tissue with an ultrasound machine... not one that gives a picture, just one that makes the tissue vibrate and knocks it around a bit so it breaks down a little and gets more flexible. Anyway the foot ached last night, especially since the boss got us doing flying kicks (I'll strangle the b****r) but since the physio said I can do anything but run 5 miles... well I did it with enthusiasm (and at one point I did a side flying kick extremely well for a first attempt *self congratulatory grin*).

Anyway I'm back at the physio tomorrow night, just before training again. She says I am to go twice a week for laser and ultrasound treatment so we can get this foot fixed. My left foot is actually over three times stronger than my right foot, which is odd since I'm right handed but makes sense of the problems I'm having breaking with the right foot. So it's obvious there's a major problem there, I've got excercises to do with a resistance band, and the foot feels funny today... a little light and more flexible than I am used to.

I've also got a tournament on Saturday, I'm excited as it's my first one, I've got butterflies already so I know darned well I'll get stage fright on Saturday morning, I'm known for it now. Someone hug me!!!! I need a hug... anyone!

**BIG hug**

How is it I missed this whole thing till now?

Sounds like you're on the right track with Physio, cutting back/out on running. Don't want to bring up the 'A' word, but.... (age) since you're just a kid to me, I'll risk it. :D We can't do everything in one lifetime.

And pretty sure things haven't changed bass ackwards since my Marine Medic days--used to be, ice for swelling (a few hours), then heat to jump start circulation. Constant ice, except after workouts, could actually do more harm. But since you've got medical pro's, might ask them.

Had those unltrasound and rehab exercises myself for 3 months a few years ago for crushed nerve in my neck (lots of previous damage led to bone spurs, etc., so a particularly vicious neck crank caused the nerve to go numb all the way down to my hand); first time I'd ever gone to a dr. for MA injury (and the list of such is multiple-pages :D); exercises were actually what I value most from that, in the long term. Still use them when it starts hurting--also modified my workouts (no one throws me by the neck anymore!). So, you may want to keep your injury in mind as you practice your beloved TKD (and yes, I know what it is to fall in love with an art :)).

RE: your events upcoming, remember that in physical preparation when you're hurt, less is more.

Get well, and DO NOT overdo it.

*Final hug*

[Shaderon]

Thanks KW and Morph, I'm being good and keeping off the weight training this week, I have been told not to run until Weekend so I won't do that until Sunday. I've got training tomorrow night but i am going to request going through my pattern a bit again, as there's only 4 of us going to the tourney it might be an unpopular choice but it's a quick grading this month so any practise will benefit everyone anyway.

Age? you can do that in small letters if you like but my eyesight isn't that bad YET KW...... I don't care about age, it's just numbers and I know I'm not getting any younger. I know I know I have to be careful, I'm no spring chicken anymore even if I do feel like it more than I ever have before, but I am not old enough yet to fall to pieces totally, I use my common sense, promise. If I didn't I'd expect a verbal spanking from a few people here and a few people in my class. I've only ever had one once and that is when I didn't tell about an injury I had, I just carried on. Never again.... *shiver*

Ice and heat.... gottit.... I'll ask the physio tomorrow for confirmation but it sounds right to me. (((hugs)))

[Brian R. VanCise]

Thanks KW and Morph, I'm being good and keeping off the weight training this week, I have been told not to run until Weekend so I won't do that until Sunday. I've got training tomorrow night but i am going to request going through my pattern a bit again, as there's only 4 of us going to the tourney it might be an unpopular choice but it's a quick grading this month so any practise will benefit everyone anyway.

Age? you can do that in small letters if you like but my eyesight isn't that bad YET KW...... I don't care about age, it's just numbers and I know I'm not getting any younger. I know I know I have to be careful, I'm no spring chicken anymore even if I do feel like it more than I ever have before, but I am not old enough yet to fall to pieces totally, I use my common sense, promise. If I didn't I'd expect a verbal spanking from a few people here and a few people in my class. I've only ever had one once and that is when I didn't tell about an injury I had, I just carried on. Never again.... *shiver*

Ice and heat.... gottit.... I'll ask the physio tomorrow for confirmation but it sounds right to me. (((hugs)))

Sorry to hear about your injury. I have a twisted up ankle myself at the moment so I am nursing one to. Remember RICE, rest, ice, compression and elevation. Right after an injury you want to rest the injured area and get some ice on it with compression and elevate it. After time resting the injured area up you would want to get some heat to it before practicing again and then follow the RICE forumula after your workout to keep the swelling down. This has always worked pretty good for me.

http://www.weleda.co.nz/selfhelp01.cfm

http://health.yahoo.com/topic/emergency/treatment/article/healthwise/tp21229

I used to teach first aid and CPR to security and law enforcement officers and have used this method through the years to great success. Just my 02. http://www.martialtalk.com/forum/images/icons/icon6.gif

[Xue Sheng]

Injuries!!!! :xtrmshock …. Form training martial arts or other things :confused: That stops you from training :confused: Well I NEVER Heard of such a thing :uhyeah:

Unless of course you count my back injury that kept me out of MA for a couple years and I never returned to TKD (but it got me into CMA and I am EXTREMELY happy about that). Or of course the torn ligaments from training, broken ankle (same ankle X2) form training, and let’s not forget the all important tree that jumped me. And if I continue I will take up the rest of the this page of this post and all of the next.

All are frustrating but you really need to take it easy and heal… another lesson I leaned the hard way. But I think you’re on the right track with continuing patterns and arm work, just as long as it does not task Achilles tendon

When I broke my ankle I got real good at balancing on my crutches and kicking with my other foot (I do NOT recommend this however) and since at that time I was in CMA I got real good at flipping one of my crutches around like a Dao (Chinese Broadsword) I called it Shaolin Crutch style.

[Grenadier]

Be careful in your recovery. Even though modern day surgical techniques can get you functional in much quicker times than before, it still takes years to fully recover from a ligament injury. Even after you recover, it still might "bug" you once in a while.

I'm still feeling stiffness from a "turf toe" injury from many years ago. Everything has healed, but once in a while, the stiffness is still there.

[stone_dragone]

Another story of commiseration...In the summer of 2005, I was demonstrating an upper body control for a visiting black belt, and he decided to try to throw me. He stepped knee to knee (instead of hip to hip) and pulled my body over the knee joint. It hasn't been the same since. It gives me trouble running, jumping and kicking (I only use that leg to kick with now, so I don't use it to support weight).

I have had to seriously change my technique focus to accomidate the injury. I hope that yours heals eventually!

[Shaderon]

Thanks for the support and advice guys. Much appreciated! It's always good to know you aren't the only one.

[exile]

Be careful in your recovery. Even though modern day surgical techniques can get you functional in much quicker times than before, it still takes years to fully recover from a ligament injury. Even after you recover, it still might "bug" you once in a while.

I'm still feeling stiffness from a "turf toe" injury from many years ago. Everything has healed, but once in a while, the stiffness is still there.

Shads—this point of Grenadier's is very important: modern sports medicine can make you feel better than you actually are, in a sense—it can mitigate the pain and discomfort which are the body's normal warning sirens, so that you wind up thinking you've reached a place in your recovery that, physiologically speaking, you haven't. So you need to be very careful at this stage...

We'll keep checking up on you to make sure your nerves aren't out of control as the Big Day approaches. But you have to exercise extra caution in training... :)

[Shaderon]

Yes Sir Exile (((hug)))

(I've already acknowledged Gren privately)

[shesulsa]

Someone hug me!!!! I need a hug... anyone!

((((((((((((hug)))))))))))

:D

I hear ankle injuries can take a while to heal. Patience, me dearie! :D

[Shaderon]

Fank oooooooo

:D

[Laurentkd]

::HUG::

I am glad to hear that you are making progress!! I am sure it feels so much better to know what is causing the problem and know what to do to help it reslove itself. Like everyone said, don't push it. You have the whole rest of your life to train. A "day" or two out won't make a difference in the long run. Good luck at the tourney! Don't stress just go to enjoy the experience!

[Shaderon]

Thanks my "Good Twin". It does make a difference to know exactly what the problem is :) And i will go easy... promise.

All these promises I'm making... I do keep them, honestly!

[Jade Tigress]

Last night in training I ran into a major problem.

Some years ago I fell over while drunk.... I ripped the achillies tendon in my right foot and I couldn't walk properly for a month. When I say properly I mean without pain or tenderness. I was on crutches for two weeks even though the doctor said I was to try without, as I couldn't put any weight on the leg without the ankle buckling. Two years later I twisted my ankle on a curb stone and it happened again, luckily I had my mother with me and she could take my daughter off me and get my car, my daughter was 6 months old at the time and I was carrying her so I wouldn't have managed without my mum.

Last night while doing "front turning kick to side kick" combos the ankle starting hurting on the achillies tendon. I know I've got to RICE it (Rest, Ice, Compression, Elevation) but I also know it'll be out of commision for 2 weeks at least now. I've my seminar and grading up in two weeks...

*tears hair out* I can't bear the frustration of having to say "sorry I can't do that bit today". Luckily Da Boss is watching me to stop me doing anything stupid, I got a lecture last night about training with injuries after I tried to go on *blush* but it's so annoying!!!! :rpo:

Sorry, I just needed to tell someone who knows what it's like to be dedicated enough to hate having to stop training for a while. :wah:

I can still do patterns and arm work, as long as I don't do any high impact stuff or kicking. *sigh*

I know what you mean. I HATE not being able to train because of illness or injury. To put it bluntly, it sucks. Take care of your ankle though. Even though it's frustrating, to continue training with an injury can turn a short-term break into a long one. :asian:

[Kacey]

I know what you mean. I HATE not being able to train because of illness or injury. To put it bluntly, it sucks. Take care of your ankle though. Even though it's frustrating, to continue training with an injury can turn a short-term break into a long one. :asian:

Yeah - what Jade said! When I was testing for IV Dan, I landed wrong after a jump kick - my knee popped so loudly it was audible across the gym (and I mean a full basketball court)... my sahbum's wife, who is a nurse practitioner, thought I ripped the ACL; luckily (if you can call any injury lucky) I only sprained it - nothing ripped - although it took an MRI to confirm it. I couldn't do much more than hobble for a couple of weeks, and had to wear a brace for 6 months during class, during which time I couldn't jump... it's been over 2 years, and I still have to wear the brace when I'm tired, or if we do a lot of jumping. Just remember, too, as much as it sucks now - reinjuries heal more slowly, and not as well, as the original injury - please be careful, and let it heal fully before you push it.

[Shaderon]

I promise I will be careful guys! How can i not be with you lot, my phisio, my Boss (TKD Boss AND work boss) and hubby all telling me to?

I can see the sense in it and although I'm bloody minded I'm not stupid :)

Thanks for caring everyone.