Long term injuries – where do the pros go?

[stodge]

Many people will have noticed that my name has not appeared in any results for exactly two years now. I have an injury to my forefoot (both feet) called sesamoiditis.

Its not just Orienteering that is affected – I can’t walk in terrain (I had to retire from the twin peaks string course) or do any sport that is reliant on feet (except mountain biking which is getting more painful).

I have been seen by 3 podiatrists – now just been referred to a fourth, have had bone scans CT scans, injections, orthotics etc etc etc etc and am under the West Midlands Orthopaedic foot specialist.

If my name started with David or ended with Rooney and money was no object, where would I be being treated?

Where do the top elites go?

HELP!!!!!!

[CHS]

I saw you at the Twin Peaks string course!!! It was a very hard string course as they go, you would have had to been 8 to get round on your own IMHO. It took an M18 fell runner about 10mins to get round!

This post doesnt actually gives you any answers but hey.

[Klebe]

Sorry Stodge - not the reply you want - but don't most of the footballers go to the Betty Ford Clinic

[Stodgetta]

Another string course retired from, but this time because of an "I'm cold" strop rather than feet, but Stodge would never have made it to the bus to the start yesterday at Torver.

Does BOF have recommended doctors? Does the physio who works with the elites have any contacts? What would Craney or Helen Winskill do if they got a long-term injury?

HELP (we want our life back)!!!

[Dids co]

If you've had your injury for 2 years and it seems to be getting worse, you do need to see a decent specialist.( For the type of injury you've got, and had for so long it maybe necessary to totally immobilise your foot for x number of weeks, perhaps in a cast)
I know from my own experience how important it is to see the best doctors. The only reason why I recovered from over-training syndrome after 2 years of suffering was from finally meeting with the british olympic doctor in London.

Im no longer in the squad and living in England so im not sure of the specialists that they have contact with nowadays, however contact Derek Allison at BOF, explain your that you need some contacts for a very good sports doctor and he should give you some numbers.

Good luck

[PorkyFatBoy]

You could try http://www.sportsfeetuk.co.uk/index.htm who were the podiatrists at Croeso. They also appeared to have advised Yvette Baker when she had shin splints according to the latest Compass Sport mag.

[stodge]

Thanks for the tips - keep them coming

hhmmmm podiatry !

what a black science - I’ve seen 4 podiatrists so far, they all have different ideas some of which contradict.

for example when casting your feet for insoles -

1 didn’t use casts at all - modified proprietary insoles
1 pressed your foot into a casting sponge so your foot was 'loaded'
1 cast a plaster cast around the foot in a neutral position.'unloaded'

I know there are always different approaches but they seem SO different, also some of these guys trained at the same schools !

A lot of physios also have very conflicting views on orthotics and their benefits !

[stodge]

Oh another thing - you've got to take on board 'new' alternative tratments but avoid the quacks - I nearly fell out with a friend who suggested 'magnetic' insoles !

[Guest]

Stodge.
Have a look at Bat Uni Web site and see if they have anything. They've got a big sports injury section in the sports village and have top GB athletes training there. You might get a lead.

HOCOLITE

[Toni]

Paula Radcliffe sees a physio in Limerick called Gerard Hartmann. He sees athletes from all over the world and has a fantastic set up there. From memory it was really difficult to get an appointment with him though and that was before Paula started praising his work!

[gross2004]

Ali Rose who used to work with the GB Squad now works with the GB athletics team and also has worked / does work with the guy in Limerick. If someone's knows her current email address I'm sure she'd be more than happy to point an orienteer in the right direction

[stodge]

great stuff keep it coming -

heres something to think about - ref my current NHS route of treatment

how much $$$$ is your running and outdoor life worth to you
remember iv'e done sweet nope all for 2 years now

If someone said guaranteed fix and back running/walking from 3 months off work lots of nasty treatment and £10k id probably bite their hand off.

[gg]

a guy called christer rolf in sheffield operated on my ankle in february, he seems pretty good

i don't know if he does feet or just ankles

http://www.scsm.co.uk/clinical/clinical_surgeons.html
http://www.shef.ac.uk/tissue-engineerin ... /rolf.html

[gross2004]

Christer has worked with a lot of orienteers.... he's a mate of Goran A (actually I think Goran was his best man?). The squad used Christer a lot a few years ago & he must have operated on quite a few of them. Well worth contacting

[Rach]

Christer Rolf works at the Sheffield centre for sports medicine, http://www.scsm.co.uk/welcome/frameset.html. I saw him several times when i had stress fractures in my femurs. He does leg injuries in general, not just ankles and also has a background in orienteering.