Injured Runner Wondering Whether Cone Really Necessary
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Main Image via Depositphotos.com
A local woman recovering from a stress fracture is beginning to wonder whether the protective cone she was ordered to wear is truly necessary, Dumb Runner has learned.
Amy Barrett, 38, who has been wearing the semitranslucent cone since her diagnosis late last week, said her doctor never fully explained why she needed to use it.
“After confirming that I had a minor stress fracture, she told me to take it easy for at least three weeks, said I could take ibuprofen for any pain, and put this big plastic collar thing around my neck,” said Barrett. “Never told me why.”
Barrett said she thought the cone was strange, but “just went with it.”
“I mean, she’s the expert, right?” she said. “I assume she knows what she’s doing.”
In addition to being uncomfortable, Barrett said the cone makes her feel self-conscious whenever she’s in public—particularly when onlookers express pity.
“I try to get out every day for a short walk, just to stay active,” she said, “and it usually takes about 30 seconds for someone to point and make some sort of heartbreak-y sound.”
On her most recent outing, said Barrett, an older woman called her “poor thing” and asked if she could give her a treat.
“I took the treat,” she said. “But still, it was humiliating.”
Reached for comment, Barrett’s doctor laughed.
