BAH stress fractures and micro-tears in tendon

[TrekDianna]

My MRI done on Friday showed stress fractures in my 5th metatarsal and micro-tears in the tendon. Thankfully, I don't have to stop biking. Doctor said biking isn't enough impact to hurt it (assuming I don't catch myself by putting that foot down really hard when falling on my MTB).

Has anyone else dealt with this and how long was your healing? He's telling me at least a couple of months and it's already been a couple already since I didn't go in to see him until it started getting really annoying. I know when I did it..on the Inca Trail in Peru so I know how long it's been injured. How long did it take before it really doesn't require handfuls of motrin?

I am going back for a follow up on Monday and he's giving me a boot to wear when walking since that's when it actually hurts and has the potential to get damaged more.

[jessmarimba]

I had a full-on fracture. Took about 8 weeks to heal, but I kept weight off of it the whole time. Then I taped it for added support for a couple more months. Depending on where you're having problems, some parts of that metatarsal don't have a very good blood supply and can take remarkably long to heal. Good luck.

[Aromig]

I am dealing with a fracture and my doctor said recent studies have linked ibuprofen with reduced bone strength/healing and he suggested Tylenol over Motrin. Then again, I know too much tylenol can cause liver issues and there are usually conflicting studiesn for just about anything, so I guess to each their own I just noticed you mentioned Motrin.

[TrekDianna]

I am dealing with a fracture and my doctor said recent studies have linked ibuprofen with reduced bone strength/healing and he suggested Tylenol over Motrin. Then again, I know too much tylenol can cause liver issues and there are usually conflicting studiesn for just about anything, so I guess to each their own I just noticed you mentioned Motrin.

Yes, I have seen that also and my partner (with a brand new knee) has been told no Motrin. My doctor asked me to take the motrin for awhile to try to keep the swelling down. I tend to have more pain at the end of the day after being out and about all day and once the swelling goes down a bit the pain lessens. I think it's the tendon swelling that is painful since I can feel it burning.

[TrekDianna]

I had a full-on fracture. Took about 8 weeks to heal, but I kept weight off of it the whole time. Then I taped it for added support for a couple more months. Depending on where you're having problems, some parts of that metatarsal don't have a very good blood supply and can take remarkably long to heal. Good luck.

I am going to ride tomorrow afternoon and will tape it and try that out. Thanks for the suggestion.

[Melalvai]

When they suggested an MRI or xray I said "Will that change the treatment?" They said no so I declined. I probably did have stress fractures. I wore the boot for 3 weeks and did not try to run on it until I'd been pain-free for a week. I kept biking throughout.

I saw a student wearing a boot get on his bike. I told him I knew what that was like!

[Sky King]

Also consider buying a compression sock - I bought the ones with open toes and bought the highest compression, it really seems to help and is easier than taping (IMO)
My achilles tendon's blew up 3 years ago and I broke my foot last year... I still wear the sock sometime, especially if I am hiking. The boot should help, after the foot, I wore mine for 8 weeks, and yes it is awkward on the bike :)
Finally can say I am healing but it has been a struggle

[TrekDianna]

Also consider buying a compression sock - I bought the ones with open toes and bought the highest compression, it really seems to help and is easier than taping (IMO)
My achilles tendon's blew up 3 years ago and I broke my foot last year... I still wear the sock sometime, especially if I am hiking. The boot should help, after the foot, I wore mine for 8 weeks, and yes it is awkward on the bike :)
Finally can say I am healing but it has been a struggle

Interesting. I will check into that on my way home tonight.

[ny biker]

Yes, I have seen that also and my partner (with a brand new knee) has been told no Motrin. My doctor asked me to take the motrin for awhile to try to keep the swelling down. I tend to have more pain at the end of the day after being out and about all day and once the swelling goes down a bit the pain lessens. I think it's the tendon swelling that is painful since I can feel it burning.

Have you tried icing it? I have recurring problems with my knee and I find that ice takes the pain away so I have no need for meds. Also back in the day after I had ankle surgery for a torn tendon, I iced the area regularly rather than using NSAIDs, since they bother my stomach.