Stress Fracture

[Sarah]

I had been training heavily for last season's triahtlons when I started experiencing sharp pains along the top of my foot. I saw a doctor after 2 weeks of this pain, I had xrays taken but nothing showed up, the doctor said I could have a bone scan but that he was 95% sure it was a stress fracture. I took his advice and was on crutches for 2 weeks, off the bike for 4 weeks and he said to get back into running slowly after 6 weeks. This was back in November. I followed his instructions and was still feeling pain so I got back into running after about 10 weeks and only started back with 5 mins a session and progressively built it up. I was still experiencing slight pain but it wasn't getting worse so I left it. I then saw a sports doctor who also took x-rays which showed nothing, he said to keep running (no more than 5km 3 times per week) and if it stayed the same to go back and see him after 3 months.
It is now slowly getting progressivly worse and I have ceased running, but it is even hurting during the cycling, I'm starting to think that perhaps it is some other form of injury. Does anyone have any advice or suggestions as I am getting very frustrated by not being able to train and certainly don't want to miss any races this season, as I am hoping to be able to compete as an elite within the next few years.

[papa]

x-rays will only give you some feedback when your 'stress' fracture actually becomes a fracture. Bone scan will reveal the presence of a stress fracture/reaction. Probably a good idea for you since you are now experiencing pain again after a pretty good rehab.

Have you considered all your angles

1. training load, surface, modification
2. biomechanics- (shoe orthosis), shoe type, running biomech etc.

Sports physios or sports doctors SHOULD be able to work out a well defined rehab for you. If one doesn't it's up to you to find one who will. Depends if you want to get to the next level or not.

[Sarah]

Yeah I have just organised to have a bone scan to see where to go from there, I have considered my training surfaces etc, I have ceased running on concrete, was advised to run only on grass, gravel or bitumen.
I am now thinking that the bike may be causing the problems, because my foot seems to have been getting worse recently, yet I haven't been running much, but I have increase my ride training, thinking it could have something to do with the shoes on the bike.
And I definately want to make it to a higher level so I am willing to rest if thats going to fix the problem, as incredibly frustrating as this may be.

[injuryupdate]

Some (or most) stress fractures will heal with time off running, but certain ones (e.g. navicular, 5th metatarsal) don't heal just with rest. A bone scan is a good idea, but hopefully your doc has discussed where the pain is centred and the likely diagnosis.

[dhourn]

I can only recommend that you take time off from training completely.

At the end of the 03/04 cricket season i had what was considered by the doctors (i didn't know much about the topic) quite a serious stress fracture just above my left ankle.

We figured it was from training on the hard ground at the sydney cricket ground indoor centre (we had to train there for about a month because of constant rain towards the end of the season).

Anyway, i basically took 6 weeks off from any kind of exercise and when i walked i put very very little weight on my left foot.

Within 6 weeks of the end of the season it was 100% and i was back into footy.

[Unregistered]

Some (or most) stress fractures will heal with time off running, but certain ones (e.g. navicular, 5th metatarsal) don't heal just with rest. A bone scan is a good idea, but hopefully your doc has discussed where the pain is centred and the likely diagnosis.


Hi,
was wondering what you meant by navicular, 5th metatarsal,what kind of fractures are these and what do they involve?i have some pretty bad stress fractures at the moment in my talar dome,do you have any info on that kind of injury...if you do would be greatly appreciated.
and as a extra comment i had normal stress fractures on my tibula and it took 6 months to heal properly...sorry to say,you must rest !! good luck.Let us know how u are proceeding.