<p>Okay, so I heard over and over the "wrap your children in bubble wrap" idea. Being an athlete, I kinda laughed at this and thought, "No way am I getting injured. I just run and work out." I spoke too soon.</p>
<p>I've had a nagging problem with my quad/hip for a few weeks. At first I took about 3-5 days off running (biked instead). I got back on my feet, but it still hurt. I've been icing after practice and stretching a lot---even then, I had to miss two 1600s and a couple of days of practice (biked instead). Yesterday I was walking around all day to do a psychology experiment. What began as a twinge is now a pain on the outside of my hip. I'm guessing it is, in fact, not the muscle now but the iliotibial band (tendonitis?). Resting drives me up the walls. I need to do some cardio, but I don't want to screw myself over for life. Coach and I decided that USNA is a higher goal that high school track. I hate feeling like a slacker because I can't run as hard/run. I hate not running in meets because that puts us quite a few points behind (not to mention getting questions from everyone why I didn't run).</p>
<p>Now for a question. I haven't seen a doctor, so does this still count as an "injury" that I must report to USNA? Coach called it a "nagging problem."</p>
<p>So, USNA appointed candidates, take the advice, be careful, and wear the bubble wrap.</p>
<p>Yeah, I have a wrist injury, and I took a rather nice spill on Friday over a hurdle and landed on the wrist in question. It's fine, but I can see where things can go wrong.</p>
<p>Since I've had issues with my knee over the last couple of months, to the point where I could only run in one xc meet and one indoor track meet. I eventually had to make the decision that outdoor track was too much of a risk, I'm the kind of person who will work three times as hard just to beat someone. I'm so competitive that I beat myself up over everything, especially if it means that I'm second best. Seeing, all my friends at practice and hearing their excitement over their first meet is so hard, but I just keep telling myself that it'll be better for me because I won't get hurt really badly. So I totally agree with wrapping oneself in bubble wrap...we don't want to hear about any injuries here!!</p>
<p>dictatoranna,
My suggestion is that unless it's been diagnosed officially by a physician do not say a word to anyone. It will open up a hornet's nest that you don't want to deal with. You are young and healthy. Rest it for a while and get yourself ready for Plebe summer on June 28th. You will be fine!<br>
Bottom line, if it hurts, don't do it!!</p>
<p>would swimming help? No kick, straight arm swimming. Should probably be a good work out! maybe rowing?</p>
<p>Yeah I got hit with a discus in the knee a few days ago...didnt feel good at all. I thought is was really bad a first, but it was just a bruised tendon that got better soon luckily. Swimming is great, I did it when I had a stress fracture. At my school we have one of those arm bike things which work great and you WILL get tired pretty fast. Also take this time for pushups and situps, because those always need work.</p>
<p>Do not tell... I told, and it could dq me, even though I can fulfill all military duties. My doctor told me that since it wasn't really in a major place it would have been fine going undiagnosed.</p>
<p>Be careful! Rest!, Rest!, Rest, especially if USNA IS your higher calling! You could likely arrange to be seen "off record" for a "piece of mind diagnosis". Of course in most circumstances, this would mean you would have to pay cash for the evaluation procedures and doctor visit and could be quite expensive. Also, depending on what kind of relation you have with your primary care provider, you could likely have no problem recieving some guidance "off the record".</p>
<p>Some MRI/CAT facilities will provide scans for cash payment (no questions asked). Then you could get an "unofficial" read from your care provider as part of a "routine" visit maybe? Be creative. Bottom line is you wan't to protect your future health first, please USNA second.</p>
<p>Good luck! and HEAL!</p>
<p>Just a thought, you might want to try an over the counter shoe or heel insert that you can get from a good track store. If your one hip is a little lower than the other it could stress the joint significantly. Our track store sales men are nearly encyclopedias of information regarding running injures (they both still race) and have been helpful. Also, ask them about the supplement Cosamine D/S which has been proven to help heal cartilige and tendon injuries.</p>
<p>For IT Band Syndrome:</p>
<p>Short term to treat functional problems-decrease mileage (which you're doing); ice after activity; alternate running direction if your training area or track is banked; use a lateral sole wedge to lessen pressure; stretching to tolerance. Check your running shoes and ensure they haven't broken down; also, make sure you're using the correct shoe for your distance, arch type, running surface; pronate, supinate, or neutral gate. You can go to roadrunnersports.com and check out the Shoe Dog tab for help.</p>
<p>To treat long term structural abnormalities which hopefully you don't have:
Stretching-especially beforeworking out to make the band more flexible and less susceptible to injury; and,
In extreme cases (real extreme) surgery to relieve the tightness in the band. That would definitely be reportable. </p>
<p>You mostly get ITB because of structural problems OR running excessive mileage or increasing mileage too quickly (old 10% rule a week rule-though it's hard to manage in HS track). And also running downhill will aggravate the injury or if you overstride frequently.</p>
<p>Take an anti-inflammatory eg IBprofen, rest-alternate cycling, running and swimming until you slowly increase your mileage.</p>
<p>Best of luck.</p>
<p>Sorry but I disagree with those urging you to "cover up" the injury. For the following reasons:</p>
<ol>
<li><p>It is not in keeping with the honor concept of all the academies.</p></li>
<li><p>You may not be getting the medical treatment you need. Self-diagnosing and treating is not a good idea.</p></li>
<li><p>If you show up and get sent home due to a condition not disclosed, this will be a major embarassment for you and your family and mitigate against a future appointment should you have to apply again.</p></li>
</ol>
<p>Just my two cents but honesty is usually the best policy.</p>
<p>I agree completely with Boss. Get to a doc, get a proper diagnosis and then get the appropriate treatment. If you do not take care of this it can get worse and if you end up not able to continue through the summer for a problem that could have been fixed now, you'll be extremely disappointed.</p>
<p>Many ITB injuries are due to lack of, insufficient or improper stretching! Diagnosis and recovery is another mater...use the profiessionals for that.</p>
<p>Boss,
I too agree.
What is going on here? The Honor Concept at the USNA is taken very seriously.
Dictatoranna, were you not given the small wallet version to carry around with you. You are to be living your life in accordance with the Honor Concept once you begin the application process.
If you are injured, fix it. If DOBMERB has a problem, yes, it will most likely be a hassle, but you have not attempted to deceive.
It is a very big decision whether to participate in a high school sport and play injured once you have accepted your appointment.
Should you be injured during plebe summer, they will question if it is a reoccuring injury. You just don't want to go there!</p>
<p>Just want to clarify, I don't mean cover up a serious injury or something that would get worse. I just mean see if it starts to feel better before you go telling the academy that you're injured. Don't tell them you're injured unless you know for sure that you are, because false alarms could just get you more paper work and possibly turn out bad for you. So, wait until you know, but definitely let them know if you are injured injured. I was, and I let them know.</p>
<p>ITB syndrome can be a minor running injury...had it once, a Navy doc told me to stop training for the Ironman and stop running long distances...I went and saw an Army Doc at Schoffield Barracks in Hawaii, he told me to get new shoes, take IBprofen, reduce my mileage, don't RUN down hill for awhile. In short, in a few weeks I was back on schedule. If it is a chronic injury and you need medical care beyond rest and IBprofen, and need MRI, xrays, whatever, then you would need to let someone know. Certainly if surgery is called for. ITB can be minor just like a strained muscle. </p>
<p>Again, heed your coaches advice and you can certainly talk to your doctor or an athletic trainer without meeting them in the middle of the night under a fog lite lamp post.</p>
<p>dictatoranna:
chances are your injuries are a minor setback that rest and time will heel.
but then again, the injury you are describing can be reflective of something more serious.</p>
<p>You have 2 choices.
Wait a few days- ice, rest, alternate with heat.....and see if it improves.
If it does, great- no harm done.</p>
<p>If it doesn't- you need to get examined and see what is going on- while you have a chance to get the right diagnosis/treatment/time to heal....rather than get to the USNA, be unfit to participate in/complete plebe summer- at best have to "make it up" the following summer- worse still being sent home "unable to continue," and worst still, taking the chance of injuring yourself permanently.</p>
<p>Get diagnosed- the people at DODMERB are very used to dealing with physical injuries- and they are more than competent to distinguish between something that is temporarily disabling and something that is truely disqualifying- if it is the former, you will have time to treat and heal; if it is the latter (which is unlikely considering you have been a healthy runner) then still better to find out now before really injuring yourself during plebe summer and being sent home "unable to continue." </p>
<p>Rest-ice- do NOTHING for 2 or 3 days......then if it is not improved, then see an ortho doc.....and trust that the system will, and does, work. Have a little faith, and don't do anything silly-</p>
<p>Yeah, I have a deal with God. If it doesn't clear up after a few days of REAL relaxing (the coaches think it is an overuse deal--they refuse to call it an injury--which is pretty understandable because when they tell me to bike I BIKE, when they tell me to swim I SWIM...so I'm cheating myself really), then I'm going to a doctor. I already decided that I'd tell USNA about it either way. I'm still like a four-year-old--I feel guilty if I don't tell the whole truth.</p>
<p>I thought back and realized I haven't rested in over a year. It was: track, summer practice, NASS, summer practice, cross-country, swimming and winter running, and now track again. Usually I take a break between seasons, but I noticed that instead of taking a break I took the intensity UP. Coach ordered me to REST this spring break, which I will (it's driving me insane to just STAND about, let alone SIT). I'll just stick with weights, stretching, and ab work.</p>
<p>If it doesn't heal up, I guess I'll just head on to the local college, get a job, and apply for next year's class. I don't want to be falling apart during Plebe Summer. :) (This is also the reasons we students like to keep appointments hush-hush and wish everyone would stop bragging--in case something does happen.)</p>