Stress fracture! What can you tell me?

[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...