Nine days ago, I developed a pretty bad case of tibialis anterior tendinitis. I suspect it was caused, in part, from my greatly over tightening my laces on a three hour run. I took a few days off and it got a little better, but with IMFL only 22 days away, I started running again two days ago. The pain is very noticeable and there is no way I can run long right now. Has anyone had any experience treating this problem with a prednisone burst? Suggestions please. I’m desperate.
I’m 53 and have been running my whole life. This will be my seventh IM, in seven years, and I really don’t want to throw in the towel. My thoughts are to try and keep running until seven days before the race, and then do a 50, 40, 30, 20, 10mg burst. I will not take any for 72 hours before the race. Thoughts. I am a middle of the pack guy, so my time is not critical, but I don’t want to walk the marathon.
Sorry to hear about your injury. IMFL will be my first and I feel like getting there healthy so far is a huge win for me. Having a running background why wouldn’t you just shut it down for a week? How much are you going to gain vs. hurt by not letting it heal?
Explore with your doctor some non-oral routes of attacking this. My first suggestion would be to inquire about a Rx for PT/Phsio or to see an Athletic Trainer. Secondly inquire about Rx Topicals and compounds. The Tib. Ant is very superficial and I have had fair success with my patients that have used this in combination with aggressive physical therapy. You need to do a swim and bike week and give this thing a chance to cool off. Your “tryout” runs are putting you further back. You have fitness in the bank at this point and quite honestly coming down off the run is not going to hurt you. If you try and force a last long run you may be finding yourself hobbled coming out of T2. Let any swelling subside, get stretching and strengthening… There is nothing elaborate with the Physical Therapy protocol… some basic band work, heel walking, step downs, single leg balance, add protuberances for proprioception etc… Go for an Eval and get a home exercise program or go to a few visits to take advantage of the modalities they may have. Good luck. Surely a tough time for an injury to arise.
i did a century on high-dose prednisone, once, and i was the worst race of my life. i started cramping about 15km in and never stopped. my liver function tests afterward were way out of whack and my eyes turned yellow for a good while.
prednisone can really strain the liver, as can ultra racing. whatever you decide, keep your doc informed of your exact plans and look after yourself!
This would be the perfect case for a careful ultrasound guided corticosteroid injection. Benefits of the drug (topicals not very effective in the short run and no oral side effects) quickly. The TA also is not a typical tendon to “rupture” because of its sheath/double retinaculum course and weaker muscle so limited worries there.
I have no experience with this treatment, but I have been treated with prednisone for an autoimmune disease.
Prepare to be hyperactive, moody and having trouble sleeping. Oh, I almost forgot, your appetite will increase significantly. So take this into consideration before you take the shots.