Stress fracture advice

Missyd

Hi, I've been diagnosed with a stress fracture in my foot. I initially 'hurt' it around Christmas - it just got sore without an incident - but didnt' get to the Dr till the beginning of Feb, after the Raheny 5m I was limping for three days. Anyway, got it x-rayed (clear) but physio, on dr's recommendation, says it's a stress fracture/pulled tendon and two weeks of physio was done.

They recommended that I don't run on it till Paddy's week, but go on how it felt. Well it's still sore and haven't ran on it was so sore the last three days - put ice on it even. And I don't see it being ok to run on for quite a while.....

I'm doing some spinning and body pump in the gym, but nothing with impact on my foot, but going cracked from not running...

I'm concerned that while the swelling has gone, it's not healing very well. Any ideas if there is anyone I should go see with it? Or anything I can do to help it/my sanity??

RoyMcC

I've got an athlete in a similar position. Her foot just 'went' and it' been a long road to recovery.

You've done the right thing by listening to your doc and fizzio. Now you've got no option really but to let it heal - frustrating I know. Keep trying it out with little runs on grass, or on the beach. If it feels OK then go a little longer. If the pain returns then back off. Continue your gym work.

What is more concerning in these cases is that the injury may re-occur, as there was no apparent reason for it to occur in the first place. And, much as I have big doubts about gait analysis and possibly an orthotics solution, it might be the answer in your particular case.

epo addict

I had a stress fracture which was the worst injury i've had since taking up running.. I thought by doing gym work with no impact, it would heal and i would be able to keep my fitness. I was so wrong. The only way it will fully heal is if u get a cast on it..Nightmare it was but i got back running 2 months later. A hairline crack is harder to heal than a break ! Mri or bone scan will confirm if it's a stress fracture. X-ray is a waste of time!

robinph

The xray is retty useless in diagonsing a stress fracture alright, all it proved for me by the time they got round to doing one on my leg was that I had previously had a stress fracture but that by then it was mostly healed. I still took a good while before I was comfortable running on it again, and actualy a month or so more than that before I was happy with putting the leg in a ski boot again. Think it's just a case of waiting a while, and then waiting some more as about the only treatmment.

thirtyfoot

Unfortunately we can't give medical advice so best to go to a physio.