Guest Blog: By Dr. Sean BraithwaiteSean Braithwaite

It was a Monday like any other:  I was out for my normal morning run, the same that I had done the last 6 or 7 months while training for the Oceanside 70.3 triathlon. Having completed the race recently, I was looking forward to beginning the recovery processes and preparing for the next event on my calendar, not knowing that an entirely different recovery process would be imminent.

Not quite a mile into the run, I stepped on a reflector in the middle of the road.  At first, I simply thought I rolled my ankle.  A few steps later my ankle felt great.  However, my foot was starting to hurt.  A few steps later I stopped running and realized how tender the top of my foot was.  I knew at this point there was something very wrong. 

After gingerly limping home, I got ready for work and went into the office, hoping that my injury wasn’t as bad as I knew it was deep down. Amidst training for a full Ironman, maintaining my own practice, and taking care of my pregnant wife, there was no time for a broken foot.  I got to my office and took an x-ray.  A Jones fracture of the 5th metatarsal was right there. There are so many options when it comes to seeing someone after an injury, but for me, this was a no-brainer. I contracted Dr. Graves and made an appointment to see him at lunch.

I chose to see Dr. Graves because, being a runner himself, I knew he would get me back on track with a plan consistent with my treatment needs and how I could best implement them.

In my own practice, I value customizing plans to each individual patient, and I knew I could count on Dr. Graves to do the same. During my appointment, he answered all of my questions and helped me to see the light at the end of the tunnel: I could still do what I needed to, but with a few modifications.

It has almost three weeks since my injury.  I have been non-weight bearing the whole time, keeping mobile with an iWalk. In a few days, I will go in for a follow up with Dr. Graves.  As a patient and as a Chiropractor, the goal of trying to prevent surgery and get back to training ASAP is my highest priority.  

My hope is that I will have evidence of the fracture starting to unite.  If so, I should be able to be in a walking boot (weight-bearing) for another 3 weeks.  Just one step closer to getting back to training.

Stay tuned for the latest update on my journey to IMAZ!

 

 

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