Thursday, May 20, 2010
Building it up, just to knock it back down.
The title sums it up.  Just when my knee is starting to feel better (well, as good as it can feel considering it's lack of structural support), my doc calls and tells me to schedule an appointment to talk about surgery dates.  I have been cleared, and am able to walk on it with an assistance of a knee brace, but I look at it as a good sign.  At least I got some cool MRI photos out of the ordeal.
Note: This puny little leg is not mine, it's one I found on google images.  My leg is of course much more muscular...;)

But this picture does show you that there is no ACL to be found (normally the ACL sits between the two boney ends which make up the knee joint.)

Some other noticeable changes are happening to my leg.  The size, or girth rather, has significantly decreased within the last two weeks.  My right leg is considerably bigger than my injured left.  It is very peculiar and makes me notice how deformed that bad boy is right now. 

As far as surgery goes, I am looking forward to getting it over with and starting my road to recovery.  I know I have a surgeon with a great tract record, and I am personal friends with countless Physical Therapists, not to mention my uncle is the Director of Physical Therapy at Stark State University in Ohio.  Good stuff, I know I'm in good hands. 

In other news, I have coincidentally decided to go back to school to pursue a career in Physical Therapy myself.  It is almost a no brainer, considering my interest in medicine, fitness, and my innate need to help people.  Can't believe I was ever back and forth about this issue.  Classes start Monday to get some pre-reqs.

The most notable thing I learned this week came from my Uncle Wally, the PT in Ohio:  "Your knowledge and background in strength and conditioning will help you a lot during this whole process, but it can also hurt you.  You need to trust other people in order to make a full recovery."  Meaning, don't self diagnose my injury, as well as prescribe my own rehabilitative exercises.  PTs specialize in rehab, I specialize in fitness.  There is a huge difference, and he wants me to recognize that.
Written at 12:22 AM by Russell Linville.
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Wednesday, May 12, 2010
A Crucial Cruciate Life.... ACL
Wow, where do I begin?  The last week has been nothing but a roller coaster.  What was looking like a summer full of personal records, my first triathlon, and expanding my training clientele, now looks as if it is all wasting away in front of me.

Thursday, May 6th, everything changed.  During the class I have been participating in, I performed a running depth jump, landed off balance and awkwardly...and POP.  There goes my ACL.  With my background in athletics and training, I knew exactally what had happened.  As I was landing, my leg planted into the ground, locking my knee out.  The forward momentum I created propelled my body forward, over my locked out knee, causing it to bend backwards (hyperextend if you will).  I hit the ground in ravishing pain, dropping nearly 10 F-bombs in 5 seconds, which felt like an eternity.  10 seconds later, the pain went away and my adrenaline took over. 

The next day, I went and saw my orthopedic doctor, who actually is a triathlete who trains with us at Endophin.  He confirmed my suspiscion of a torn ACL, and sent me on my merry way to get an MRI.  Yesterday was the MRI, and I am waiting for a call back from Doc today to tell me if there is any other significant damage besides the ACL. 

This is a tough time for me, with medical bills, sympathy from others (which I hate), explaining what I did a million times to everyone (which I hate even more), and worst of all my inability to be active (do I really need to tell you how much this bothers me?).

So, with surgery imminant, and summer on its way (oh, did I mention I am starting classes again this summer?), I really want to get the surgery over with ASAP and begin my road to recovery.  Rehab should take 3-6 months post-op without any complications, maybe sooner than that considering the amount of strength I have in my legs to begin with.  Can't wait to get this over with.
Written at 9:39 AM by Russell Linville.
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Wednesday, May 5, 2010
New 'Experiences'
It is officially May, which in Virginia means it is finally starting to shift to summer.  March and April are technically condsidered 'Spring,' yet every other day it is freezing cold, or very hot out.  Now that May is here, we can pretty much expect the latter.

If you have been reading my blog you know that I am working with Peak Experiences (http://www.peakexperiences.com/) to create a strength and conditioning progression for their athletes.  Well yesterday, I finally went in and was trained how to belay.  Belaying is being the anchor for someone who is climbing the wall, so in the case of them falling you are there to stop the rope before they hit the ground.  I have a test tonight to become officially certified as a belayer.  Right after that I get to belay for my EF Challenge group, who is meeting there to have an alternate workout.

I have been running my group into the ground these past couple weeks, and this will be a good alternate workout to change the pace, and even reward them for the hard work they've put in for me.

May is also a special time for me because baseball is starting back up.  I am a coach for the Midlothian Post 186 American Legion Baseball team, and we begin tryouts May 22nd.  Some other important dates this month: May 11 - My sister comes home for the Summer from VT, May 23 - PowerSprint Triathlon, May 27 - NSCA-CSCS exam!

By the way, if you have facebook, you can log in to watch the video of us X-Athletes http://www.facebook.com/#!/video/video.php?v=427758061899&ref=mf
Written at 1:13 PM by Russell Linville.
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