The Popliteus Muscle

The back story for this injury will have to wait for another post.

Yesterday, I stopped writing after saying I was sitting in an exam room reading The Times article about Judy Miller. I doubt I mentioned it, but I believe she is FOS and not a journalist. She is for Judy first. She was such a poor case for the NYT to advance press freedom and confidential sources -- which I believe in.

After a short wait, a resident entered and examined me -- Dr. Arayan. He is a wonderful doctor. Smart, but more than that, he know how to work with people. I always enjoy talking to him and feel like he will have a great career of helping people. He has his own style, but seems to have adopted Dr. Nicola's curiosity for solving sports medicine issues. I found a nice read about Dr. N. http://www.bestdoctors.com/en/askadoctor/n/nicola/tnicola_012400.htm

We had a short talk about my present history, more of an update to an ongoing saga, and then he checked my strength in both legs. A couple months ago (the back story I will tell) the fear was a bone bruise and menesicus tear. Those things seem to have resolved, but pain remains when I try to run.

Nicola entered the room after he and Dr. A looked at the MRI again and conferred. Dr. N says I have a "boring MRI" and my legs seems to be otherwise working. Boy, I wish I could get the $1,200 back that I spent on the MRI. I could buy lots of toys with that $.

He gave me the same strength test and gave the Dx -- it was my poplitues muscle.

The diagnosis is a weakened, or perhaps, strained popliteus muscle. I found the following article http://www.rocklandroadrunners.org/articles/JPKknees.html and it really lays out the injury.

We went into the gym so I could learn about treatment. It boils down to two things: exercises with a big blue rubber band and walking on the treadmill at a 10% incline.

I tried both today. Stay tuned.