No, not those pretty Asics Kayano 17...but the amazing DonJoy Defiance Unloading brace. It may look bulky, but running in it has truly improved my time and pain issues during and post-run.
After seeing my orthopedic (actually the ARNP, because I truly believe my orthopod has given up on me considering my continuing to run despite his advice not too... ah, doctors make the worst patients), he suggested that I use an uloading brace to shunt the impact of prolonged standing, walking or running to the lateral side of my knee. Although I have no meniscus left, the way the joint falls, the medial side has taken the brunt of the last 13 years of wear and tear. The lateral side does have damage, but is not painful, yet. So unloading the medial impact has proven to improve my times by 20-30 seconds per mile and almost eliminated that nasty limp which was causing me external hip rotator pain in the right leg. YAY!
So my buddy and I will run and train. I still am unsure as to how to use it during a race as it will add lots of time to T2. :-( But I have 2 weeks to figure that one out..
Long term solution... upgrade to new parts. That will come in time, maybe sooner than later if the MDs have their way...but first we will see my old surgeon, Keith Hechtman, MD (UHZ Orthopedics in Coral Gables, FL). He saved my leg the first time, maybe he can find away to save it again.
Until then, try not to laugh when you see me and DJ on the trail! :D
I could tell right away that your gait changed and speed improved. I am all for it if it takes away your pain.
ReplyDeleteI think that brace makes you look BIONIC! If the choice was presented to me that, in order for me to continue running, I had to wear it, I would. I would even sleep with it on if that's what I had to do. Glad it is working out for you.
ReplyDelete