On Tendonosis

I injured my left Achilles tendon running last March (yes, it is possible to actually outrun your own feet). Last year was crazy busy with all manner of transitions. Some things like regular exercise, flossing teeth daily, and nursing a low-grade injury sometimes just didn't happen.

Over the past few months, a cyst-looking lump formed on my tendon. I went to a sports medicine specialist about it a few weeks ago and learned that my condition had advanced to tendonosis. Worse than tendonitis (an inflammation of the tendon), tendonosis happens when the tendon has been injured but not tended to for so long that the new cells start growing back at random, misaligned angles, like a bird's nest. The result is what Dr. Blue calls a "cruddy tendon."

It's painful and it compromises normal activities, like running and even walking. The solution involves ultrasound plus stretching, strengthening, and balance exercises. In addition, the treatment incorporates "friction massage." This is apparently done most effectively by sticking two very muscular thumbs into the most painful section of the tendon and attempting to reach up through the person's body to pick their nose through the back door.

Now, I'm not sure what the value is of a clean nose to the rehab of a funky ankle. However, on this one, I'm buying in on blind faith and blowing my nose as often as I can remember. It's the same kind of this-is-how-we've-always-done-it-don't-ask-questions thing as taking the end of a cucumber and rubbing it vigorously against the cut edge of the remaining body. According to Granny Lever, someone back in the family lineage said it prevented the cucumber from being bitter, like it somehow sucked all the lip-pucker right out of that puppy. I never could figure out how that math might work, but I still rub the cuke. It makes me feel connected.

Where was I?

Oh yes... Note to self: take time to tend to small injuries. (And the Aesop's expanded notes would say, "... between yourself and others for sure, and probably between yourself and your tendons as well.") Look after yourself even if it feels like it might inconvenience the world a bit. It's like breathing: it's allowed.