Peroneal Tendinitis

Since July, I have experienced ankle pain that has progressively worsened, making it challenging to walk at times. I initially felt soreness after the Colorado to Minnesota bicycle ride and followed it with Grandma’s Marathon three weeks later. While I felt fine for a few weeks after Grandma’s Marathon, the pain gradually returned. I should have anticipated some issues, but I delayed seeking medical attention for three months.

Upon examination by an orthopedic surgeon, I was diagnosed with severe peroneal tendinitis. The surgeon recommended physical therapy as the treatment. The physical therapist identified tightness in my ankle. The typical range of motion for plantar extension is 40 degrees, while I have 18 degrees. The average range of motion for dorsal extension is 20 degrees, and I have 4 degrees. Additionally, I have significant inversion at 32 degrees, which is considered normal; however, my radial extension is only 6 degrees, which is ideal at 20 degrees.

Physical therapy involves challenging exercises to enhance mobility and alleviate pain.

After three sessions, I have experienced some improvement, but the pain persists. I have gained a deeper understanding of the significance of maintaining muscle elasticity throughout the body. Consequently, I have temporarily postponed my stretching routine. I had forgotten that there are multiple reasons to enhance muscular elasticity or flexibility. Regular stretching routines offer numerous benefits, including improved range of motion, enhanced athletic capabilities, stress reduction, and better sleep. This aligns with my past experiences, as sleep has been a recurring issue for years.

To address this, I intend to establish a comprehensive full-body stretch routine every other day and monitor its impact on my sleep.

My primary focus will be on improving flexibility and range of motion to enhance muscle elasticity through regular flexibility training exercises. Muscle elasticity refers to a muscle’s ability to stretch into a specific shape. As the human body ages, it naturally loses some of its inherent muscular elasticity, making flexibility training an invaluable addition to any exercise regimen at any age. Surprisingly, I had overlooked this fundamental concept.

Despite the initial discomfort and the fact that my movements may appear awkward for those familiar with the concept, I am determined to persevere.

Any suggestions for a routine?

Carry on, my friends, carry on.

Comments from my original blog - I merged the blogs.

Mike W.

I had an issue a year ago with this type of tendinitis, which made running painful. Once I started stretching my calves, I was able to resolve the issue. Keep working on the flexibility, and you should be back to pain-free in no time.  Thursday, November 6, 2014 at 9:32:27 PM CST

A day in Vermont

Our first night at the High Hill Inn was memorable. The attic room had a charming atmosphere, spectacular views, and low ceilings. Unlike other rooms, we had our own TV room.

We woke to the sound of cooking in the kitchen. Ann-Marie and her husband were preparing breakfast of homemade cranberry bread, maple bacon, and eggs. After breakfast at 9:30 AM, we departed for Burlington, Ben & Jerry’s Tour, Smugglers Notch, the Trapp Family Lodge, and Stowe. 

Upon our arrival near the Ben & Jerry’s tour location, we determined that it was too early for ice cream. Consequently, we proceeded to the Trapp Family Lodge. This expansive establishment retains a significant amount of turn-of-the-century charm, while also incorporating modernized elements. The modernization is necessary to meet the demands of visitors, but it does result in the loss of some original features.

After departing from the Trapp Family Lodge, we made our way to Stowe. During our journey, we encountered our first covered bridge. Although it was relatively small, it was well-maintained. We were able to access the creek bed, which was exceptionally cold, and capture some side shots.

As we continued our drive to Stowe, we began to feel hungry. Unfortunately, we encountered limited options for dining and decided to proceed to Smuggler's Notch. This was a captivating color drive, although there were few designated stops, resulting in a limited number of photographs. Near the summit, the gaslight flickered, but we were uncertain of the location of the next station. We descended the hill and eventually discovered a station in Jeffersonville, Vermont. 

We searched for covered bridges and found two. One was long but closed to traffic, while the other was small and open to traffic. Hungry, we headed back to Stowe for a late lunch/early dinner. However, there were few restaurants, and the city was busy despite it being a Tuesday. We decided to go to Burlington instead.

We arrived in Burlington just before 5 PM and parked at the waterfront. We walked up Church Street and headed north to find a nice place to eat. Leunig’s Bistro & Lounge, Church Street Grill, and The Farmhouse Tap and Grill were all overpriced or not what we were looking for. Halvorson’s Up Street Café, a family-run establishment, was moderately priced but lacked skill.

I found myself conflicted. The servers appeared to be recovering from methamphetamine addiction. While I was pleased to see his progress, it was evident that he was slow-witted. I suspected that his behavior was a result of drug abuse. Consequently, I overlooked the subpar service and left with a sense of satisfaction that someone was attempting to improve their life.

On our way back, we visited Ben and Jerry’s local store. I declined the ice cream, as I had experienced discomfort in my stomach. We proceeded to the lakefront, where we captured some beautiful sunset photographs. As the evening progressed, we felt fatigued and decided to return to the High Hill Inn. We watched the evening news before retiring for the night.

Carry on, my friends, carry on.