Stress fracture! What can you tell me?

[Bike Chick]

I was diagnosed yesterday with a stress fracture in my right foot and I'm pretty bummed. I was training for a biathlon next week which is now out and was going to run a 10k in November and the 5k in Memphis when my husband does the half-marathon. How long does it take to heal? The podiatrist told me I might be able to get on the bike in 3 weeks if I take it easy and no running for 6-8 weeks. I'm new at the running and was just up to 5.5 miles and loving every minute of it. I was really starting to see some improvement in my speed and the weight was coming off and now I'm sidelined. Any suggestions?

[salsabike]

Did he give you carbon fiber insoles to wear in your shoes? They will keep your foot from flexing and will let it heal, and will not make your hip go nuts as a walking boot would do.

I had this happen a year ago in July. They say it's healed when it doesn't hurt anymore, whatever that really means...I was super careful and gave it ten weeks because I really wanted it HEALED. I expect that was more than necessary.

Have been running for the last year and am fine.

[Bike Chick]

That's exactly what he did. It's hard to walk but my foot does feel better. And absolutely NO walking barefoot. Did it bother you on the bike too or just running? Mine started on the bike. I've changed pedals and shoes twice thinking it was that. Then when I started running it just continually got worse. I'm glad to hear your's is healed and you are running again. That's encouraging.

[salsabike]

It didn't bother me on the bike at all. In fact, the doc said cycling shoes were already pretty stiff so I could just wear those. I kept riding and swimming throughout the healing period. I was just very careful not to dismount with that foot and not to flex it.

How could a stress fracture start on the bike, which isn't a weight-bearing exercise? Maybe that's just where you noticed it first? Did the podiatrist explain that? Just wondering...

So I too was training for my first triathlon. I did it, six weeks later, and walked the run part.

[azfiddle]

As a mom of a former Irish dancer, I heard about a lot of stress fractures. (My son skipped that problem and got a chipped toe bone instead). The kids who were patient and waited until they were fully cleared by the doctor had fewer problems and got back to dancing again sooner than those who tried to come back too soon. Based on that, I'd say be sure to follow the doctor's advice about how long to rest the foot, schedule a follow up appointment at the end of that time period, and don't try to run again if you're still having pain.

Sharon

[salsabike]

And, P.S., in that vein (azfiddle's comment), I wore that shoe with the carbon fiber insole day and night, except for when I was on the bike or swimming. 24/7. Didn't take any chances. I really wanted it to heal for good.

[Crankin]

I had a stress fracture from teaching aerobics on concrete floors, about 25 years ago. No carbon inserts back then, but I stayed off of it, in terms of weight bearing exercise for 4 weeks (that was difficult) and I swam (even more difficult!). I didn't ride back then, but I can see how cycling would be OK. I never had a problem again, since the gym put in a wood floor and it solved the issue. I do remember that I had to be somewhat careful about the types of street shoes I wore for awhile, but, I think the fact that i wore 3 inch heels back then probably didn't help.

[Bike Chick]

Thanks ladies. You've been a big help. The dr told me I could swim which I'm not crazy about but it looks like I'll get in the pool. Uggghhhh. I don't want to loose what little fitness I do have.

And you are probably right, salsabike, about getting the fracture on the bike but that is where I noticed it first---especially when I'm in the big ring. Oh my! The fracture is right where my cleat is. I took my bike and running shoes with me to the dr and when he looked at my bike shoes he said they were stiff enough it shouldn't bother me except for the placement of the cleat. He did mention the fact that he thought my shoes might be too narrow. I'm having orthontics made so I will probably end up getting another new pair of bike shoes. Anyone interested in a gently used pair of carbon soled specialized? I have 2 pair--sizes 39 and 39.5.

I don't know when it happened. I know I've had pain there for a long time that has steadily gotten worse. Just hope it heals. I'm taking my calcium and vitamin D like a good girl :)

[kiwibug]

I just found out I may have a stress fracture in my pelvis from running. I've been having a lot of pain in my hip, but they're not sure what's causing it yet.. I haven't gone for an x-ray yet to confirm, I see the sports doctor tomorrow. I haven't done anything for five days and I'm going crazy! For now they've said not to do anything until I have some more tests. I hope I can do SOMETHING soon.

I miss working out :(

[Bike Chick]

In your pelvis? Oh my that has to be painful! How did they diagnose it? I was told that a stress fracture won't show up on an xray until it completely breaks or starts to heal. What kind of treatment plan are you on?

We can be miserable together! I haven't ran since Sunday and I'm climbing the walls!!!

[kiwibug]

Well they're not sure yet, I went to an athletic therapist and he was poking around my bones and things and found a really painful spot on my pelvis on the side of the hurt hip. I guess they want x-rays to see if we can see anything going on in the joint, but yea, I also heard that stress fractures usually don't show up on x-rays.

Right now I'm not allowed to do anything athletic until the sports doctor sees me. Since we still don't know exactly what's causing the pain the AT is going to check everything that could be weak and causing my hip muscles to overcompensate. I suppose he'll tell me more today!

[Bike Chick]

What a bummer Kiwibug. :( I hope it's nothing serious. I did make myself go to the pool yesterday and the swimming was actually very therapeutic. Not as bad as I thought it would be. Guess when you haven't exercised in a week, anything is great! I will stick with it for the time being. Who knows--I might get fired up enough to do another triathlon!

Hang in there.

[out_spokin']

Good luck to you both. I had a stress fracture in lower shin from basketball a long time ago, and can tell you to definitely, decisively, stick with your doc's program.

Mine wasn't diagnosed correctly at first, and then the pre-recovery push of senior year and wanting to be a part of the team meant that I went back too soon and had a much longer recovery and much more pain (SO painful....worse than all my other injuries) than if I had gotten an immediate diagnosis and a plan for alternate exercise. I think there are other injuries where regular (non-sports) docs are too conservative, but stress fractures aren't one of them. So swim, do spinning intervals on the bike when you can get back on, but stay away from the running for now...

[kiwibug]

Things aren't so great. I went to the sports doctor and since I have a history of prednisone (steroid) use for an autoimmune disorder as a child, she said there's a chance it could be avascular necrosis of the hip (when the top of your femur doesn't get enough blood and dies). I know that realistically that's the worst case scenario and that it's not a diagnosis, but it's still enough to make me freak out.. I mean, I'm 21! If I have this that means I'll need a hip replacement!! That's all I keep thinking about. I was supposed to go for an x-ray today but they wouldn't let me go without a pregnancy test (I'm not on the pill.. I don't react well to hormonal contraceptives so I only use barrier methods and according to radiology techs they don't consider that good enough). It was actually pretty upsetting - I just want to know if I have this or not!

At this point I'm hoping for a stress fracture! If the x-ray is clear then I'll go for a bone scan.

[kiwibug]

How are you doing Bike Chick?

I'm feeling better finally! Still on some pain meds but walking hasn't been painful today. Wooo hoo! It's still hard not working out but I'm trying to distract myself with school work.

Sorry for the thread hijack btw! Hope you're well.