Ultrasound

When I had a stress fracture in my femoral neck last summer, I was given an ultrasound machine to help the bone heal. I recently read that ultrasound could also help with soft tissue injuries. I still have the machine, so I was going to dig it out and try it on my tendon that's been giving me issues since August.

I decided to do a little research on it before putting it to use, though. I didn't do any research when I first got the machine, but that was because I was in the middle of moving and leaving my job. I was busy and didn't really have great computer access. Now I find out that I could have saved some effort.

The theory is that ultrasound helps with pain and speeds healing. There have been studies that showed this to be true. Although the one I found was small and on rabbits. Another study showing it works involved people and was a bit larger, but was funded by the company that sells ultrasound healing devices. A study on rats showed promise, but only if used early after injury. A review of all ultrasound studies found bad science and no proof of effectiveness. I think the Wikipedia summed it up nicely: Effectiveness of therapeutic ultrasound for pain, musculoskeletal injuries, and soft tissue lesions remains questionable.

If I didn't have the machine already, I wouldn't go out and buy one. Since I already own it, and have an injury that MIGHT benefit from using the machine, I will use it. There's no side-effects from it, so I don't see why I shouldn't do everything I can to make my tendon feel better.

Day 76C--End of my season

I haven't blogged at all since the end of July. That was because of my pain and lack of running. What I thought was an IT band injury turns out to be an injury to my femoral neck. I have been ordered to crutches for six weeks, which means no walking, and especially no running. I'm out of the game until well after the marathon. Once I'm given the go-ahead to ditch the crutches, I will get a run gait analysis and try running again, but with a form that works to prevent this injury in the future. Until then, I will rest my leg and get a great workout from lifting my body weight repeatedly with my arms. I never realized how difficult crutches are and how much work my arms, back and chest would be doing to keep me remotely mobile.